Sir, Whilst considering that I am a quite devout Christian, as referred to by Paul Hoggart (T2, January 10), I find myself much closer to his tolerant view of Jerry Springer — The Opera than to that of William Rees-Mogg (Comment, same day; see also letters, January 11).

The use of obscene language to a laughable degree merely points to that paucity of linguistic expression so evident in much of society today. The first act of the “opera” is, indeed, extreme parody. The second, however, merely mirrors it in a horror dream sequence as Springer lies dying, followed by a return to reality in the death of Springer to the accompaniment of the Kyrie Eleison (“ Lord, have mercy”).

Whilst respecting their views, I cannot help feeling sorry for those Christians who feel that their faith might have been diminished by the production. Whilst I cannot say that enjoyment is the right word for my experience, I certainly do not regret watching it, as opposed to retreating into an ivory tower.

Yours sincerely,
GORDON HALL,
6 Milnrow Road,
Littleborough, Lancashire OL15 0BN.
January 11.

From Ms Jayne Ozanne

Sir, As a previous senior employee of the BBC and a one-time colleague of the Director-General, Mark Thompson, I agree completely with William Rees-Mogg; I am ashamed of the BBC for airing Jerry Springer — The Opera.

I was one of the 45,000 who wrote to complain to the BBC about their decision to air the show, and I am sure that I am therefore not alone in receiving a response which lamely (and rather sarcastically) stated: “It is not the intention of the BBC to offend any of our audience in any way or to offend any religious beliefs.”

Given that so many people across the country — including the Bishop of Manchester — have publicly said they have been offended by the programme, this statement is simply untrue.

I recently presented to the Archbishops’ Council a paper in which I stated that I believed Christians in the West would soon be facing a time of persecution (report, December 11). The decision of a public service broadcaster to offend so many people by the vulgar mockery of Jesus confirms my view.

Yours sincerely,
JAYNE OZANNE,
21 Rockley Road, W14 0BT.
January 11.

From Mr Peter A. Whelan

Sir, If the liberal intelligentsia wish to worship the ugly and aberrant, then so be it: but I fail to see why the rest of us should have to foot the bill. The time has surely come to abolish the licence fee (a poll tax) and let subscribers pay for the television service.

Yours faithfully,
PETER A. WHELAN,
22 Kempton Crescent,
Lillington, Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire CV32 7TS.
January 10.

From Mrs Marlene L. Butterfield

Sir, I am a Roman Catholic. I watched the broadcast of Jerry Springer — The Opera without feeling in the slightest bit disgusted.

I’ve got a large supply of disgust, but I’d used it all up on the so-called Christians who made it their business to discover the addresses and telephone numbers of BBC personnel in order to threaten them.

Yours,
MARLENE L. BUTTERFIELD,
128 Hatfield Road, Bolton BL1 3BL.
January 10.

Explore Letters

• Feedback