As you’re no doubt bored of hearing, I was on BBC1’s The Big Questions last week, debating the question “Can children be damaged in fundamentalist religions?”.

While Twitter was busy talking about my hair, something fairly historic took place. On British television, for the first time to my knowledge, two Christians (of very different sorts) publicly denounced Accelerated Christian Education.

In the battle to save children from indoctrination and poor education, my contribution was probably the least important in the whole segment. By the end of the show, even the person they’d invited to defend fundamentalism agreed that she condemned Accelerated Christian Education. Here’s what happened.

First of all I talked about my experience, particularly how I’d been taught not to be friends with non-Christians. Then the Right Reverend John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, weighed in with this slamming contribution:

Imgur link (for sharing on Reddit, etc.)

Single image for sharing on Facebook.

Actually, that’s a slight paraphrase to fit the pictures. Here’s what he actually said:

I believe that young people, older people, all need to be in a position where they are properly educated to be able to make informed choices about any belief structure that might be presented to them. And you only have to look at the history of the present day to see where fundamentalism can actually lead people. […] To actually force-feed and indoctrinate young children with some of the rubbish, quite frankly, that Accelerated Christian Education produces — I think is wicked.

Then there was Liz Weston, who I’ve previously criticised for her contribution on the subject of hell. She was there to defend fundamentalism, although by the standards of some she was liberal. If I’d had more time, I might have pointed out that many Christian fundamentalists wouldn’t have allowed her to speak as a representative of Christianity because of I Timothy 2:12. And that others would have said that the low cut of her top (ie you could see her collarbone) would ‘damage her testimony’ and ’cause men to stumble’.

Anyway, for better or worse, Liz Weston was officially there to defend fundamentalism. It says a lot about how isolated and extreme ACE is that the BBC couldn’t find anyone to defend them. This was the final exchange of the programme:

Abbreviated version for sharing.

Liz Weston: I don’t think it matters what the belief actually is. If you’re coercing your children that’s gonna harm them. Nicky Campbell: You have to teach them to question. Liz Weston: Yeah absolutely. […] Jonny Scaramanga: Fantastic. In that case I’m sure you’ll join me in condemning Accelerated Christian Education. Liz Weston: Definitely. Yes, absolutely.

WIN.

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