(The Christian Institute) - The head of the BBC, Mark Thompson, has admitted that the broadcaster would never mock Mohammed like it mocks Jesus.
He justified the astonishing admission of religious bias by suggesting that mocking Mohammed might have the "emotional force" of "grotesque child pornography".
But Jesus is fair game because, he said, Christianity has broad shoulders and fewer ties to ethnicity. Reminds me of what we tell children about bullies. They leave you alone if you stand up for yourself.
Bias
Mr Thompson says the BBC would never have broadcast Jerry Springer The Opera – a controversial musical that mocked Jesus – if its target had been Mohammed.
He made the remarks in an interview for a research project at the University of Oxford.
Mr Thompson said: "The point is that for a Muslim, a depiction, particularly a comic or demeaning depiction, of the Prophet Mohammed might have the emotional force of a piece of grotesque child pornography."
Insults
A BBC spokesman was unavailable for comment.
Last year former BBC news anchor Peter Sissons said Christians are "fair game" for insults at the corporation, whilst Muslims must not be offended.
Mr Sissons, whose memoirs were serialised in the Daily Mail, said: "Islam must not be offended at any price, although Christians are fair game because they do nothing about it if they are offended."
The former presenter also said that staff damage their careers if they don't follow the BBC's mindset.
I am a consecrated Christian solitary brother, observant of the Rule of St. Albert (CCC 920-921). I serve the body of Christ in fraternal community with the Order of Preachers (Rom 11:17).
Please pray for us in our call and mission to serve God and His church. / The monks here depicted are of the eremitic Order of St. Jerome (Hieronymites) to whom I was introduced in Lisbon, Portugal through the 'Mosteiro dos Jeronimos' world heritage site.
The blog title page features an image of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne who gave their lives for the peace of God's people during the French Revolution's reign of terror.
Holy Carmelite Saints & Martyrs please pray for us +
For (well intentioned) questions related to the teaching of the Church in the areas of faith and morals you are very welcome to email me at the following address and I will try to be of assistance or refer you to other resources - Peace in our Jesus :) hermitbrothersjmc@gmail.com