Puritan Pleasures (Part Two)

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has condemned Puritan TV’s output, stating that it “presents sexual torture, degradation and humiliation in a highly salacious manner with the clear aim of titillating viewers”. The ITC has particularly objected to the programme Its a Sin!, in which viewers are invited to nominate someone of their acquaintance who has allegedly bullied, humiliated, cheated, robbed or otherwise mistreated them - this individual is then kidnapped off of the street and subjected to torture, (including the rack, hot irons and thumbscrews), until they confess to their supposed sins. They are then forced to apologise to their ‘victim’ and perform a penance, which can range from wearing sackcloth and ashes to being tarred and feathered. Many of the contestants on Puritan TV’s programmes have also complained, claiming that they were under the impression that they were to take part in normal reality TV shows, and were given no indication that physical punishment would be involved. Several are now threatening legal action.

Nonetheless, the League of Public Decency - which last year gained notoriety for the attempted lynchings of several TV executives it accused of being pornographers and for its violent campaign to outlaw Father Christmas, which it considered to be a pagan symbol of commercialism - has vigourously defended it’s channel’s programming. “It is highly moral - those who sin are inevitably punished, whilst the righteous are rewarded”, says a spokesman, pointing out that the Bible is full of examples of God testing his servants’ faith by visiting appalling misfortunes, disasters and temptations upon them. “ We believe that the station is setting an excellent example for the youth of today”. The ITC disagrees, citing the recent case of a Macclesfield teenager who, inspired by Puritan TV, set up his own torture chamber in his parents’ garage and proceeded to subject neighbouring children to inquisitorial sessions as he sought to find out who had stolen his bicycle.