Thought for the Day (Nov 09)

18 NOV 09: The Today programme's Thought for the Day slot it to remain closed to non-religious contributors after the BBC's governing body rejects accusations that it breaches editorial guidelines. The fight goes on...
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6589760/Radio-4-God-slot-will-rem...
6 NOV 09: Lord Birt, former BBC Chief, has said that the BBC must “loosen the stranglehold” of established religious organisations and “embrace” the humanist movement. He was speaking in a debate at the House of Lords on the eve of the BBC Trust’s deliberations on whether to allow non-religious contributors to the Today programme’s religious slot. "The BBC," he said: “must one day soon loosen the stranglehold of the established religious organisations and more fully embrace the humanist movement.” He described the humanist tradition as “a loose network of individuals broadly exercised by questions of the spirit, concerned to optimise the sum total of human happiness here on earth; individuals naturally respectful of others, wedded to rationalism and to scientific rigour, revering all life, unafraid to proclaim and to celebrate the joy of existence and the richness of human expression.” When plans for a non-religious Thought for the Day on Radio 4's Today programme were mooted earlier this year, it sparked criticism from faith leaders. They said that in an increasingly secular climate, it was "vitally important" that religion retains its voice. However a number of peers declared their interest as ‘Happy Humanists’ in the debate on Wednesday night. It comes after John Denham, the communities secretary, disclosed he is a humanist.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/6509648/Former-head-of-BBC-calls-for-atheists-on-Radio-4-God-Slot.html