Magic miracle show in the clear

A Channel 4 programme which saw magicians perform magic versions of New Testament miracles, such as turning water into wine, has been cleared by the broadcasting watchdog

There were 51 complaints from viewers that the trailers for the show and the programme itself, The Magic Of Jesus, were offensive to the Christian faith.

Some complained that the programme sought to trivialise or denigrate the New Testament miracles by suggesting they were not miraculous, but could be reproduced as tricks.

Ofcom said the use in the trailers of cardboard cut-outs of Jesus and other subjects found in scripture, such as the Holy Spirit as a dove, had the potential to offend some viewers.

But that did not amount to discriminatory or offensive treatment as they appeared in a trailer for an entertainment show about magic, it said.
Ofcom said the show itself referred to the miracles as inspiration for the magic acts.

The acts were not presented as in any way equal to the miracles recorded in the New Testament, it said.

The miracles were read by respected Christians and treated seriously and reverently in the programme, broadcast in December.

Ofcom said: "It was clear throughout that this was simply a new way of presenting certain magic techniques, rather than an attempt to undermine the beliefs of people in the Christian faith."