EHRC protests at blanket ban on religious advertising

The Church of England has won the support of the Equality & Human Rights Commission as it challenges a decision to ban an advertisement featuring the Lord's Prayer from being shown in cinema chains.

Intended to be screened just before Christmas, the advert shows the prayer being recited by various members of the public, adult and child, with an appearance by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

However the Digital Cinema Media agency, which handles advertising for Odeon, Cineworld and Vue cinemas, has refused to show it as it has a policy against political or religious advertising.

The Church said it was told that the screening could cause offence to those who were not Christian. It has threatened legal action against the cinema chains on the basis of religious discrimination contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

Commenting in response to the ban, a Commission spokesperson said: “Freedom to hold a religion and freedom to express ideas are essential British values. We are concerned by any blanket ban on adverts by all religious groups.

“Digital Cinema Media have said an advert could cause offence to those of differing faiths. There is no right not to be offended in the UK; what is offensive is very subjective and lies in the eye of the beholder.

“This does not mean groups or individuals are free to express themselves without restriction. Freedom of expression can be and is restricted, but only in order to prevent violence, abuse or discrimination, for example.

"There is nothing in law that prevents Christian organisations promoting their faith through adverts.”