On Wednesday morning I try to be at the radio to hear the Religion Report. Yesterday it was an edited version of this year's Acton Lecture given by Father Robert Sirico. There were many misstatements in the lecture which manipulated history to make it sound as though Christianity had a history of pushing religious liberty.

Crittenden would have pointed out the discrepancies in Sirico's statements if the statements had been made in the course of an interview. There are many religious programs of an inspirational, sermonising or expository nature. Religion Report was unique in its questioning attitude and the light it shone on the different aspects of religious activism. It treated religious institutions as organisations which should be questioned the way corporations, unions, governments and other structures in our democratic society are. I doubt that the program will be replaced by another program serving the same function. I will greatly miss both Crittenden and the Religion Report.

The Religion Report has been axed by Sue Howard who is notorioous for her hatred of Radio National. She has a long held reputation for being pathologically unable to look Radio National presenters in the eye (even a decade ago). Sue Howard is hell bent on dumbing down ABC Radio despite the fact budgets from the programs she is axing wouldn't make 30 minutes of TV. Sue Howard wants to fill our airwaves with Melbourne Mush Music, Fox etc and the egocentric ramblings of jaded enfants terrible like Richard Stubbs and Red Symons who alienate the hetrosexual female audience of the ABC.

The typical Radio National audience can't be fagged downloading a podcast and froth at the sight of iPods dangling out of the ears of nonresponsive young people plus they haven't learnt how to make the ear pieces comfortable.

good riddens to what was often earth worshiping rubbish!

Dear auld 'runner', always so thoughtful.

This programme has served many of us well, believers and non-believers alike.

The interviews are good listening, the topics wide ranging, the responses frequently illuminating.

I've learned a lot listening to this programme, and made solid use of the transcripts for my research work, and my research past-times.

One can see the demise of the ABC... the new move into producing some ragtag commercial TV 'Sunrise' clone being yet another curl in the downwards spiral... the 'entertainment' fiasco of the 'breakfast show' when all that's needed is a decent A.M. type programme.

I know nothing about Sue Howard... and she knows nothing about the role of this programme.

Critto has been a 'good sort' and he and his team have served Australia well.... I'm not so sure the 'executives' who brainstorm their way through getting 'bonuses' are contributing too much to the 'national interest', surely one of the toughts behind the role of any national broadcaster?

Where do I get some of these good riddens? I haven't had a decent ridden in years.

Never listened to the show myself I’m an atheist, but if Runner hated it must mean it was a balanced insightful program. One of the thing that Aunty needs to be and do is broadcast things that do appear on commercial stations..

I was appalled at the loss of this program, and can only support Stephen Crittenden in his anger and sense of betrayal at such an unthinking action by Sue Howard in axing this. One can only assume she has been 'got at' by those with money (power) to ahieve their own ends. I am not religious in any sense; in fact have held some very strong anti-religious views, and still give voice to them when I think necessary when I don't agree with something. However the intelligent debate was thought-provoking and well worth listening to. In the absence of TV I listen to the radio much of the time and have it on as background most of the day, tuned in to Radio National. (Can't bear the drivel from commercial stations and ABC Radio is emulating them to a disappointing degree.) I look forward to the intelligent debates/discussions and find the axing of these from the only available outlet, most discouraging. What else is in Ms Howard's sights?

I am another atheist, and only occasionally listened to the Religion Report (usually when driving). Apart from approving of having such thoughtful discussion programs available on public radio in Australia, I believe this program makes listeners think - and if there's anything that religious types need to do, it's think about what they believe in. Think - why do ayatollas make sure there's never anything quite like this available in Muslim countries?

It's a pity there isn't a similarly thoughtful discussion program on the management of public radio - maybe ABC managers might learn something.

When the ABC interviews their gw high priests they have people who genuinely believe that crap. Why when they want to represent Christianity don't they speak to people who believe the truth? Instead they usually find heretics dressed in frocks that no Christian would be bothered to listen to or go and see. The only mouthpiece for some of these guys are the liberal/gay promoting ABC. Christmas and Easter usually is a time to promote these unbelievers.

You would think that the half hour per week or whatever it may be that the national broadcasters could find a believer that would represent the majority of Christians. No instead they prefer those who support their humanistic dogma. I will say songs of fellowship (if it is still on) is about the only exception to this that I have seen. I appreciate that Christians are in the minority but a tiny bit of balance would go a long way. Look how much time is given to other minority groups (arts, environmentalist, Indigenous affairs). The likes of Bill Henson is far more likely to get time than many of Australia's preachers who have a far bigger following.

Yes runner, its all about the promotion from your side of the fence, isn't it. But I see your point about the balance. The days like fads, must move aside for more realistic futuristics, and productive out-lines which are more interesting.

No-ones saying religion isn't helpful,( "you can quote me many times, where i,v said, religion is a great grounding tool" ) just not as intriguing as it used to be.

If it makes you a good person with no hate in our heart, I always say! If your on a good thing, stick to it.

Your friend, The earth-worshiper.

EVO

A 'runner' is someone who runs... but is that 'run to' or 'run from'?

Or is it a lackey who 'runs for' someone?

We may never know... and have to continue to wonder, how, when the Good Lord handed out the important bits, some were left with marginal ambitions as their personal Everest's.

Read these amusing little stories Runner... and keep hoping your eschatological future is better than your present:

http://slate.com/id/2203120

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/10/28

Another RN programme on the Howard Hit List (why does that phrase sound familiar?) is the Media Report. Like Media Watch on ABC TV it is sometimes critical of media organisations, including the ABC.

The Religion Report is not a religious programme, it reports on the news relating to religious organisation, sometimes critically. This is probably the reason behind the demise of these two reports, because powerful organisations like churches and media networks do not take kindly to criticism and have the power to have their views attended to by governments of either persuasion.

For the record, I am also an atheist (occasional) listener to the Religion Report.

Another atheist reporting for duty to defend the Religion Report! I am appalled by its proposed demise, for all the reasons so well articulated by others, so I won't repeat them.

I have read that the RR is being ditched partly because it is not attracting as many downloads as programs like the Science Show. I don't see that comparing these two programs is valid, as they are broadcast at such different times. The RR is on when many listeners will be in their cars, or near a radio at home, while the SS is broadcast at lunchtime on Saturday, when many people are busy with family and enjoying the weekend. Listening to a pod-cast is fine if its the only way to hear a program, but channelling sound straight into your head through earbuds is not the most pleasant way to go. Its the fast food of listening - convenient but a far from optimum experience. I am very disturbed that the ABC seems to favour quantity over quality. I hope they re-instate Stephen Crittenden soon. The problem was the message not the messenger, and he deserves a lot of credit for letting us know what the ABC is up to.

I will greatly miss both Crittenden and the Religion Report.

I will GREATLY MISS " " " " " "

Arriving in Australia as a 20 year old, in 1951, very lonely, the ABC was my support and my consolation. Was it then 2BL who had interesting programs and good, light classical music ?

Everytime the ABC was threatened, i collected names on petitions, went to rallies... i can't believe what is happening to "my" treasured ABC.

A patronising, boring, feel good program with a miniscule following has been given the sword.

No problem here.

As an atheist I am somewhat ambivalent regarding the demise of the Religion Report. I am interested in all religions and belief and found this show extremely informative, interesting and encompassing of far more than just the Christian frame of reference. It helped to to increase my understanding of why some people believe in religion.

However the program aired last Wednesday gave me pause for thought, it was, to put it bluntly, a complete whitewash of Christianity and full of so many historical holes that I was shocked it was even permitted to be aired.

The presenter, Father Robert Sirico claimed that Christianity was responsible for any good, any scientific progress, any movement for peace, (women's suffrage?, can't remember). The bias was so profound that I expected Sirico to claim everything from invention of the wheel to sliced bread.

Listen to the Report here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2008/2403434.htm

If this latest Report was an example of further reports to come, then may the Religion Report rest in peace

Dear Fractelle,

Please read the first comment on this string. I mentioned that people like Father Sirico have been challenged by Stephen Crittenden. I don't think Crittenden would have broadcast that misleading screed. By getting rid of Crittenden and not replacing him with someone who would serve the same function ABC has destroyed Religion Report. Religious institutions and their apologists are not fond of critical examination and will use their power to silence critics.

One example of this was in Forum. When I stated that the Holocaust was applied Christianity Polycarp was in an uproar. He stated it was legally actionable. Fortunately his power is limited, and he may actually be a kind person.

The religious statement: "The truth shall set you free" translates to "Our lies will enchain you."

DavidF

Did the latest Religion Report go to air as a direct result of Crittenden's removal? Or was it simply due to statistics: as in the level of podcasts compared to other shows?

BTW:

Having contributed a number of posts supporting you against Polycarp regarding 'applied Christianity' in Nazi Germany, means that we are both guilty of not reading each others posts. In fact if you have read any of my posts at all you would be aware I frequently speak out against religious tyranny and certainly did not require the above lecture from you

Dear Fractelle,

I'm sure you don't need lectures. It did seem a bit of a coincidence to me to get rid of Crittenden & then have that dishonest talk. I do not have the evidence to say that they were connected. Criittenden has often called to account people who make such statements.

I didn't mean to lecture you. Probably many others have had the same reaction to Sirico's sermon.