NZ Catholics To Appeal Against South Park Decision
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are appealing to the High Court against a ruling by the Broadcasting Standards Authority last week that said the Bloody Mary episode of TV cartoon series South Park was not offensive. The controversial episode was screened on C4 in February, and showed a statue of the Virgin Mary menstruating. The authority did not uphold the 35 complaints it received about the show – including one from the bishops, saying the show was “of such a farcical, absurd and unrealistic nature” that it did not breach good taste standards.
Those who would like to see the episode, in order to make up their own mind whether it should have been shown, can get a copy on DVD free of charge from the NSS. Simply send a stamped and addressed padded envelope to NSS South Park episode, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. This offer is open to NSS members only, who will only be sent the DVD on the understanding it is for their own personal research purposes.
Make a Donation
Times, 25 July 2008
Washington Post, 25 July 2008
Economist, 25 July 2008
Government transitional safeguards to protect the jobs and promotion prospects of head teachers and teachers already in post in Voluntary Controlled faith schools breach natural justice and are discriminatory, says the National Secular Society.
The National Secular Society has condemned the decision to allow registrars to opt out of conducting civil partnerships on the grounds of their religious objections.