A TV ad promoting the Hepburn Shire has been causing controversy in Dalesford over the ways it depicts it's residents - as miserable peasants. But the controversy that has been generated here in the Sex Party office has been over it's overtly religious tone.

Some of our staff and members think that the churches, baptism scene and the good ol' boy Southern Baptist song "Down by the River to Pray" are highly suspicious and that the ad should be blasted as having no place in a secular society.

Others think it is highlighting the hypocrisy of religion - by night she is the saucy epicurean minx, by day she cleanses her sins away (with the knowing look at the end that she is going to do it all over again). Is it the Christians that should be upset by this ad. What do you think?

Eros Association writer Elton Craig reckons its a shocker!

If we are not careful there could develop an insidious, perhaps unconscious threat to subliminally deliver Gospel messages to the Australian populace! Let’s not be too laid back about this people. First let’s consider the VTC campaign for Daylesford using a Southern Gospel song .
Not only it is an assault on our secular senses but also our cultural heritage !! Why do we need to import music from some Baptist bayou instead of finding some local, Australian tune ?
Far from trying to create a satire on religion I am sure the agency hack who put this together theorised that the pleasures of Daylesford, could supplant re-born Christianity, which is what is promised in the song. It is a very powerful message, delivered by very powerful lyrics and music.
That being so Daylesford will be long forgotten as the unsuspecting public who sees this ad keeps humming its incessant tune.
Like many Gospel songs its rhythm is the mother of all brain worms.
One might think picking on this ad is a little petty. Let’s consider a perhaps not too unbelievable extension. Gospel music is a great inspiration for advertising people for many reasons, not the least being that they are ready-made, off-the-shelf advertisements (albeit for religion).
And the power of the message! How can even the hardened Athiest not be moved (just a little) when Elvis dives into a rendition of “How Great Thou Art”?
Without vigilance and we could have the Daylesford campaign pumping out alongside “Ave Maria” pushing Cunard cruises and “Amazing Grace” selling weight loss programs. Imagine being assailed by a Johnny Cash number selling breakfast cereal ! They can’t get Gospel on the Charts but the more it sneaks into our daily lives the more it threatens to corrupt our youth !
Take this (perhaps already ridiculously stretched) notion and add to that a state sponsored Gospel radio programme ? How much are we going to take people ?
Gospel is the heroin of the re-born Christian. It is the hook upon which susceptible youths are disarmed and wake up in the clutches of the Baptists !
People may be unconcerned about the use of one Gospel song, but it is the thin edge of the wedge !
Trust me (said the priest to the widow)