13-20 The United Kingdom is one of the many countries that do not overtly ban advertising that is likely to cause offense to certain religious groups. Extreme cases would not be authorized for broadcast or print and could well be subject to criminal proceedings. Instead, the United Kingdom’s Advertising Standards Authority

(ASA), a non-governmental organization, provides advice and guidance for advertisers. However, in an increasingly diverse and complex United Kingdom, advertisers can inadvertently make mistakes. The ASA advises avoiding anything linked to a central tenet or sacred symbol, texts, or spiritual figures. It also makes the point that as Christianity is the predominant faith, the public are more accommodating providing the advertising is not disrespectful. Is it necessary to legislate to protect religious beliefs?