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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/cinema-ban-for-lords-prayer-ad-is-ridiculous-says-cameron
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| David Cameron hits out at cinema ban on Church of England advert | David Cameron hits out at cinema ban on Church of England advert |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The prime minister has criticised the decision to ban a cinema advertisement commissioned by the Church of England and featuring the Lord’s Prayer. | |
| David Cameron’s spokesman told reporters at Westminster: “He thinks it is ridiculous” but he declined to expand. | David Cameron’s spokesman told reporters at Westminster: “He thinks it is ridiculous” but he declined to expand. |
| Boris Johnson also condemned the ban, saying he expected it to be overturned, he said on Twitter. | Boris Johnson also condemned the ban, saying he expected it to be overturned, he said on Twitter. |
| The politicians were joined by Stephen Fry, who tweeted from Australia: “I’m in Oz, just heard. Banning the ad is bizarre, unfair and misguided.” | The politicians were joined by Stephen Fry, who tweeted from Australia: “I’m in Oz, just heard. Banning the ad is bizarre, unfair and misguided.” |
| outrageous..This is a prayer that is 2000 years old and informs our whole culture. Expect U turn from cinemas #askboris @torrentcastle | outrageous..This is a prayer that is 2000 years old and informs our whole culture. Expect U turn from cinemas #askboris @torrentcastle |
| The row erupted after Digital Cinema Media, which handles most big-screen advertising in the UK, rejected the ad, citing a policy of not running material that was political or religious in nature as it carried “the risk of upsetting, or offending, audiences”. | The row erupted after Digital Cinema Media, which handles most big-screen advertising in the UK, rejected the ad, citing a policy of not running material that was political or religious in nature as it carried “the risk of upsetting, or offending, audiences”. |
| The Church of England said it was “bewildered” by the ban and warned of possible legal action. It is appealing to DCM to change its position. | The Church of England said it was “bewildered” by the ban and warned of possible legal action. It is appealing to DCM to change its position. |
| A C of E spokes man, Arun Arora, said on Monday: “The Church is full to the brim of people like me who have made bad decisions and have had a change of heart. I would hope that those running DCM would have the strength of leadership to recognise they have made a mistake and reconsider their decision.” | A C of E spokes man, Arun Arora, said on Monday: “The Church is full to the brim of people like me who have made bad decisions and have had a change of heart. I would hope that those running DCM would have the strength of leadership to recognise they have made a mistake and reconsider their decision.” |
| Related: Richard Dawkins says UK cinemas should screen the Lord's Prayer | Related: Richard Dawkins says UK cinemas should screen the Lord's Prayer |
| However, one of the UK’s leading advertising figures backed the ban. John Hegarty, who co-founded the top agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, said it was right to have a ban on political and religious advertising in cinemas. | However, one of the UK’s leading advertising figures backed the ban. John Hegarty, who co-founded the top agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, said it was right to have a ban on political and religious advertising in cinemas. |
| “People pay money to go to the cinema, very diverse audiences, and they really don’t want religion dictating to them,” he said. The subject matter was completely different from brands, such as trainers or soft drinks. “Religion deals with profound philosophical belief.” | “People pay money to go to the cinema, very diverse audiences, and they really don’t want religion dictating to them,” he said. The subject matter was completely different from brands, such as trainers or soft drinks. “Religion deals with profound philosophical belief.” |
| If an advertisement on behalf of the church accepted, he said, it would be difficult to draw the line at adverts for Scientology or Jehovah’s Witnesses. | If an advertisement on behalf of the church accepted, he said, it would be difficult to draw the line at adverts for Scientology or Jehovah’s Witnesses. |
| Related: Banning the Lord’s Prayer from cinemas is nonsense on stilts | Giles Fraser | Related: Banning the Lord’s Prayer from cinemas is nonsense on stilts | Giles Fraser |
| “The C of E is perfectly entitled to make its views known, but it should do so from the pulpit. But of course they can’t get many people to go to church so they want to take their message to the cinemas,” Hegarty said. However, he added, “in the end they’ve got even more publicity through this ban”. | “The C of E is perfectly entitled to make its views known, but it should do so from the pulpit. But of course they can’t get many people to go to church so they want to take their message to the cinemas,” Hegarty said. However, he added, “in the end they’ve got even more publicity through this ban”. |
| The cultural commentator Peter York said an advert from the C of E should be permitted as an exception. “You can’t have an established church, and then say all religions are the same. As a nation we’ve collectively endorsed the C of E, even if it is by default.” | The cultural commentator Peter York said an advert from the C of E should be permitted as an exception. “You can’t have an established church, and then say all religions are the same. As a nation we’ve collectively endorsed the C of E, even if it is by default.” |
| The advert, made by justpray.uk, shows a sequence of people in different settings saying the Lord’s Prayer. It has been launched on YouTube and is hosted on the CofE’s website. | The advert, made by justpray.uk, shows a sequence of people in different settings saying the Lord’s Prayer. It has been launched on YouTube and is hosted on the CofE’s website. |