The program was pretty decent, and did the heart-string-tugging that we expect around Christmas
However, this isn't really a review of the programme, but standing back and seeing what other reviewers have written, I need to say this.
Bigotry appears in many societies and organisations. We have seen the effects of religious bigotry in the behaviour of so-called "Islamic Jihadists", and cultural bigotry leading to "Honour Killings" found in Arabian countries and Pakistan, but not significantly in Bangladesh, Indonesia, or other Islamic countries (supporting the view that it is a cultural, not a religious phenomenon).
I have two personal observations on the matter. The first is that when my son was young, we had a baby sitter. As he grew older, it seemed unnecessary to keep her coming, but she implored me to do so.
She said it was the only way she could do her homework. She could not do schoolwork in her home. Her father had been known to throw her schoolbooks on the fire, and tell her she should be out finding a man, rather than chasing useless fripperies like education. This was an East Scotland fishing community, only a few decades ago. (She eventually had a well-deserved career on the staff of the University of St Andrews.)
My second observation is the memory of Lord MacKay of Clashfern (at the time, Lord Chancellor, the senior judge of the UK), excommunicated by his "Free Church of Scotland" sect because he had the temerity to attend a Roman Catholic service in memory of a friend.
I also have memories (although not supporting information) of an incident where a Church congregation (in the Western Isles, I think) split over a disagreement as to which of the Sunday School Superintendant or the Session Clerk should cut the Sunday School Christmas Cake.
My conclusions would be: that bigotry is everywhere and is tied to culture, but that religion can amplify bigotry. And, I guess, that not every cultural idiocy
can be classified as "bigotry".
