Postal workers refuse to deliver Bible recordings because the CDs are ‘offensive’

Sad but true. Several churches on the Channel Island of Jersey banded together to have discs of St. Mark's Gospel sent to every household on the island. Campaigns launched so that those who were interested could listen along together, were scotched Jersey Post refused to deliver the 45,000 recordings on the grounds that they are offensive. It will take a month to deliver each recording by hand, ruining the communal aspect of the project.

There has been a belated apology:

Jersey Post apologised for the incident, saying staff had misinterpreted guidelines.

Chief Executive Kevin Keen, said: 'I understand that one of my colleagues did say the material was offensive.

'This decision was made on the basis of our terms and conditions which states that we have the right to refuse to distribute something that falls under the category of 'promotional material which could cause offence'.

'Clearly this was interpreted in the wrong way. I have spoken to the person involved and have written to all of my colleagues asking that they come to me if there is any doubt in their mind in the future.'

Clearly? The fact is that there are a great many people now like "the person involved'. And they have a lot of sway, as in this case. Only when there is publicity are such incidents reversed, and not always even then.

Samizdat