BBC’s head of religion is an atheist

LONDON • The BBC’s director of religious programming is an atheist, he disclosed Wednesday, insisting that he leaves his views at the door before going to work.

James Purnell defended the corporation’s decision to appoint him to a role traditionally occupied by a person of faith. Appearing on BBC Radio 4 to unveil the BBC’s new religious strategy, Purnell was asked if he was a religious man.

“I’m not. I’m an atheist, but I think the issues around belief are incredibly important to how we live,” he replied.

Nick Robinson, the radio program host, challenged Purnell’s fitness for the role. “Isn’t that a problem? You are head of the BBC’s religious programming,” he said. “You got the job because the BBC decided to abolish the post of head of religious programming ... you’re doing it as part of a very busy job and you don’t even believe.”

Purnell, a former Labour government minister, combines the job with his role as the BBC’s head of radio and education. He was appointed following the departure of Aaqil Ahmed as head of religion and ethics.

Ahmed is Muslim while his predecessors were Christians.

Purnell said BBC staff are diverse in their beliefs, and those beliefs do not affect decision-making. “Some people have strong religious views, some have strong atheistic views ... we all have our different views and we leave them at the door,” he said.

Under plans announced yesterday, the BBC will in- crease prime- time coverage of non- Christian festivals such as Eid, Passover and Diwali. Religious themes will feature more heavily in drama and comedy, and the newsroom’s global religious affairs team will be expanded.

But a report identified that the word “religion” was off- putting to many people, and suggested “a need to shift the language towards more mainstream appeal.”