We just wrote a letter to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, about 2011 and the King James Bible, the 400th anniversary. You may read that here. http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2010/12/letter-to-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth.html We are finding that there are several, on-going projects in England. We are finding few in the U.S. We bring an article from the "Telegraph" in England.
Secularists attack day of Bible readings on Radio 4
The BBC will devote nearly a whole day of Radio 4 to readings from the King James Bible to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication.
The first issue of the first edition of the 'Authorised Version' of the English Bible, printed in London in 1611 by Robert Barker. Commissioned by King James I, it is also known as the King James Version Photo.
Regular shows will be dropped from the schedule to make way for the readings, which will run from early morning till midnight.
While the move has been welcomed by the Church, it has prompted secularists to complain to the BBC at what they believe is "excessive" coverage.
The 28 Bible passages, each 15-minutes long, will be introduced by the Archbishop Rowan Williams, Simon Schama and Will Self, and recorded by actors including Samuel West, Emilia Fox and Hugh Bonneville.
The Church of England is 'living in the past', says BBC's head of religion (06 Feb 2010).
The Church warns BBC over religion (16 May 2010).
They will be broadcast next month over 16 hours with only occasional breaks for the most popular Radio 4 shows, such as the Archers and Gardeners' Question Time.
The Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said the BBC's coverage was an encouraging sign it recognised the significance of the King James Bible.
"This sends out a very good signal, but it is not just about religious broadcasting, but about the Bible in the life of the nation," said the bishop who chairs the BBC's Standing Conference on Religion and Belief.
"The BBC is not being kind to Christians, but recognising the place of the Bible in the nation.
"It has had an impact on our culture, our history and our language and it has helped to create our sense of who we are as a people."
James Catford, chief executive of the Bible Society, said he was thrilled at the BBC's decision to clear so much time for the readings.
"For the last four hundred years the King James Bible has been a source of inspiration for millions of people across the globe," he said.
"This will enable listeners to hear this amazing book which still speaks to us today."
However, Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, criticised the decision to give so much time to the Bible readings.
"It is fair enough to have a programme devoted to it, but the coverage is so excessive it beggars belief," he said.
"The BBC is supposed to be for everybody, not just Christians, so to devote a whole day to a minority, which is what Christians now are, is unfair to other listeners who may want something different."
A BBC spokesman said: "The King James Bible is generally accepted to have had a significant impact on our language, the arts and music.
"A 400th anniversary is a rather special landmark, and we feel it is appropriate that the BBC sets aside part of one day's scheduling to mark such an event.
The readings will be broadcast on January 9 and will follow three programmes presented by James Naughtie, the veteran Today presenter, who will explore why James decided on a new translation of the Bible and its continuing influence on British culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment