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Cinema ban for Lord's Prayer is 'ridiculous', says Cameron Cinema ban for Lord's Prayer is 'ridiculous', says Cameron
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has denounced as “ridiculous” the ban on a cinema advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer.David Cameron has denounced as “ridiculous” the ban on a cinema advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer.
The film, produced by JustPray.uk, shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children, and also features the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby. The film, produced by JustPray.uk, shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children and also features the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby.
The minute-long ad received clearance from the British Board of Film Classification and the Cinema Advertising Authority, but Digital Cinema Media (DCM) has refused to show it.The minute-long ad received clearance from the British Board of Film Classification and the Cinema Advertising Authority, but Digital Cinema Media (DCM) has refused to show it.
Asked for the prime minister’s response to the ban, a Downing Street spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: “He thinks it is ridiculous.”Asked for the prime minister’s response to the ban, a Downing Street spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: “He thinks it is ridiculous.”
Related: Banning the Lord’s Prayer from cinemas is nonsense on stilts | Giles FraserRelated: Banning the Lord’s Prayer from cinemas is nonsense on stilts | Giles Fraser
The spokesman declined to expand on the rationale behind the PM’s view or to say whether Cameron thought the decision should be reversed.The spokesman declined to expand on the rationale behind the PM’s view or to say whether Cameron thought the decision should be reversed.
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, condemned the ban as “outrageous” and said he expected the decision to be reversed. Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, condemned the ban as “outrageous” and said he expected the decision to be reversed. In a Twitter question and answer session, he said: “This is a prayer that is 2,000 years old and informs our whole culture. Expect Uturn from cinemas.”
In a Twitter question and answer session, he said: “This is a prayer that is 2,000 years old and informs our whole culture. Expect U turn from cinemas.”
DCM, which sells advertising to some of Britain’s biggest cinema chains, defended its decision to keep the advert off screens, saying some ads could cause offence to people of different faiths, political persuasions or those of no faith.DCM, which sells advertising to some of Britain’s biggest cinema chains, defended its decision to keep the advert off screens, saying some ads could cause offence to people of different faiths, political persuasions or those of no faith.
The agency said it treats “all political or religious beliefs equally”.The agency said it treats “all political or religious beliefs equally”.
The London-based firm, which handles adverts for Odeon, Cineworld and Vue cinemas, responded as the Church of England threatened legal action over the ban.The London-based firm, which handles adverts for Odeon, Cineworld and Vue cinemas, responded as the Church of England threatened legal action over the ban.
In a statement, DCM said it had “a policy of not accepting ‘political or religious advertising’ content for use in its cinemas”.In a statement, DCM said it had “a policy of not accepting ‘political or religious advertising’ content for use in its cinemas”.
It added: “Some advertisements – unintentionally or otherwise – could cause offence to those of differing political persuasions, as well as to those of differing faiths and indeed of no faith.It added: “Some advertisements – unintentionally or otherwise – could cause offence to those of differing political persuasions, as well as to those of differing faiths and indeed of no faith.
“In this regard, DCM treats all political or religious beliefs equally.”“In this regard, DCM treats all political or religious beliefs equally.”
Welby said it was “extraordinary” that Britain’s biggest cinema chains had banned the advert.Welby said it was “extraordinary” that Britain’s biggest cinema chains had banned the advert.
The CoE initially believed it had been approved and would be played before showings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens from 18 December. The CoE initially believed it had been approved and would be played before showings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens from 18 December. But they were later told that due to a DCM policy not to run adverts that could potentially cause offence, the film would not be shown.
But they were later told that due to a DCM policy not to run adverts which could potentially cause offence, the film would not be shown.
When asked for a copy of that policy, the CoE was told there was no formal policy document but that it had been agreed with DCM’s members.When asked for a copy of that policy, the CoE was told there was no formal policy document but that it had been agreed with DCM’s members.
A formal policy now appears on DCM’s website, stating: “To be approved, an advertisement must … not in the reasonable opinion of DCM constitute political or religious advertising.”A formal policy now appears on DCM’s website, stating: “To be approved, an advertisement must … not in the reasonable opinion of DCM constitute political or religious advertising.”
DCM did not immediately respond to reports that the document was only created last Friday – just two days before the Mail on Sunday revealed the ban.DCM did not immediately respond to reports that the document was only created last Friday – just two days before the Mail on Sunday revealed the ban.
Stephen Slack, the CoE’s chief legal adviser, has warned that the ban could trigger legal action under the Equality Act, which bans commercial organisations from refusing services on religious grounds.Stephen Slack, the CoE’s chief legal adviser, has warned that the ban could trigger legal action under the Equality Act, which bans commercial organisations from refusing services on religious grounds.
But Terry Sanderson, the president of the National Secular Society, accused the Church of being arrogant and trying to foist its opinions on captive cinema audiences. But Terry Sanderson, the president of the National Secular Society, accused the church of being arrogant and trying to foist its opinions on captive cinema audiences.