* Education or Legislation

More has been heard about religion during the first few years of the 21st century than throughout the last one. For a long time religion had become a taboo subject that was only discussed behind the closed doors of designated "holy" premises on designated "holy" days. In the 20th century, religion increasingly lost its significance as the cultural manual for living that it is, within the texture of the daily life of our society.

9/11 and subsequent dramatic events that have yet to be concluded, have forced governments, people and the media to stop ignoring the importance of religion's values and its influence on the human mind, behaviour and destiny.

In response to a desperate political outcry, the media started to include religion on the menu of its programming in order to create a taste for social and religious integration and tolerance.

However painful the wakeup call was, it resulted in the world becoming aware of the need for cultural tolerance based on a systematic and organised plan of action that would increase sympathetic understanding and decrease selfish injustice.

It is not a coincidence that the Queen's Christmas message highlighted the theme of Religious Tolerance, nor that the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill gained its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 21st June 05. It is, however, interesting that a government with the mantra of "Education, Education, Education" at the forefront of its policy is merely relying on passing legislation on this matter.

Jane Fonda's response regarding this legislation on "Question Time" was reduced to one word; "Education". The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the UK is in the process of sharing a statement with various Ministers and members of Her Majesty's Government on “Racial and Religious Hatred”. In it, the importance of education is highlighted: "........to eradicate religious intolerance at its root, legislation must be supported by education, beginning in primary school.
Such education should be based on the knowledge that humankind is, in all respects, one family. The study of history and culture, if based on the premise of the oneness of humanity, should lead to a growing appreciation of the diverse religious traditions. This appreciation will be strengthened by interaction with people of different faiths, if the purpose of that interaction is to promote unity. An everyday familiarity with people of different backgrounds will help each individual to lift the veil of cultural difference and see beneath it the shared humanity of all the peoples of the world."

When the subject of education comes to mind, the role of the media is very apparent. In the era of communication that we are living in, one could strongly argue that the media is the most potent social institution in forming attitudes and influencing patterns of thought and behaviour. The media makes and promotes role models, it interprets and establishes social and cultural norms and concepts, and to some degree it prioritises the importance of social issues. In short: the media has the power and the means to educate the masses.

On this journey the media has been providing many worthwhile programmes, films and documentaries that would lead to a growing appreciation of the diversity of religious traditions. Further attention, however, could be paid to those religious principles and teachings that matter to all of us today: for example, the theme of “unity in diversity”. Often, religious programmes debate on some aspect of religious tradition that is a long way from the core of their followers’ beliefs. Producers are often looking for rituals and theatrical ceremonies that make programmes colourful and visually engaging, or as the Archbishop of Canterbury (in an ITV programme on 19th June 05) said, they look for religious conflicts.
A more direct involvement by members of the faith communities in the choice of subject matter and its portrayal, therefore, may be a step forward. This direct involvement would provide all with first hand relevant information and original points of view that could be offered by various religious traditions. It would also generate a sense of belonging and a cause for integration among the wider community, and provide a mechanism to safeguard against stereotyping and biased assumptions.

Delivered by Parvaneh Farid at CDAGM (Cultural Diversity Advisory Group to the Media) Meeting withBBC South, Meridian TV and the Daily Echo
28th July 2005
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