Homework:

Revise for End of Unit 3.1: Believing in God Assessment

3.1.11 The Media & Belief in God

Lesson Objective: To explore how TV programmes could affect a persons attitude to belief in God To investigate the positive & negative effects of the media and belief in God

Starter
Look through the TV Listings Guide Highlight the programmes that are connected with religion or religious issues

The Media & Belief in God

Role of the Media: Huge part of daily life Radio/internet/ newspapers/TV Influences the opinions people have on the world/events Sometimes fair and balanced & sometimes biased or mocking
Click to play

Songs of Praise How could this programme support belief in God?

How may this programme deter Belief in God?

Songs of Praise
Supports Belief 1. Based on hymns around Christianity 2. Includes witness testimonies 3. Concentrates on particular aspects of Christianity e.g. Hope Strengthens and supports belief as they can see other people worshiping thus all these people cannot be wrong in their beliefs Deters Belief 1. Aimed at older generation of believers - leads young people to think religion is for older people and not relevant to their generation 2. Belief in God is through Hymn worship distances & alienates those who do not find God in music 3. Worshiping God through the Media (Songs of Praise) can also disconnect people with their own Church community and lose their support especially in times of hardship

The Media & Belief in God

There are many programmes that are not dedicated to religion but do include religion in them However some characters portray religion negatively How is the clergy presented in Father Ted?

Click to play

Documentaries may take into account religious views & there are often religiously aware TV characters this shows religion permeates everyday life.

All three priests are uncommitted and at times ignorant of their faith

Father Ted & Belief in God

The other is an opportunist and thinks little other than how to improve things for himself

One drinks and swears too much

One is nave and has very little understanding of his faith

This may affect viewers belief as they may think that belief in God is silly or that religious people are hypocrites

Over to You!
Choose one programme you highlighted in the Starter Around it write the positive and negative messages given by this programme about Belief in God

Do you think these messages could affect a persons attitude to belief in God? Explain your response.

Plenary
For Discussion Should religion be banned completely from the media?