I am not a church goer, but it does come across like someone within the production staff has it in for the church. They seem to enjoy criticising Christians and their ways and how unaccepting the church is towards homosexuals (I wouldn't know as I don't go). But can anyone imagine if they did this with other religions? There would be an outcry! Corrie seems to see Christians as an easy target and are rubbing it in. Change the record already.

Maybe they should highlight the fact Billy is a rubbish vicar who ignores his parish, always takes time off work and would rather spend time drinking in the pub and throwing false accusations around.

IDK about christian churches in England but here in the US I don't think Billy is that unrealistic (except for him being gay). There are so many pastors that will preach against homosexuality but be on the DL, driving a Lexus or Benz but brow beat members of their congregation who might be struggling financially into tithing. The way they portray Billy is more accurate than you realize, if they had him acting like this perfect person it would actually be unrealistic.

I do agree about Billy being a very poor advert for a clergyman!! Our vicar has 6 parishes to look after & would simply have no time for lounging in the pub, bickering with his parishoners or going into people's place of work to carry on a feud based on nothing but an accusation from a known trouble causer (Eva!)
Add to that the fact he can't even keep the confidence of a parishoner (Sarah) & making judgements, in this case false, and blabbing them to a third party unconnected with the church (Todd!)

I saw you post a similar post to this and while I can agree with you that to be fair, it seems a particularly American thing, that some Christian pastors seem to be more interested in running their church as a business, it's certainly not the case for many, many persons of the cloth, certainly where I'm from {N.I} who take their vocation seriously and are trying hard to make a difference for the community.

If I was attending a place of worship where the pastor/vicar/priest/minister was driving around in flashy car and flaunting his wealth, I think I would question that man's motivation to the point where I would not be attending his church. I don't think that's rocket science, I mean anyone can work out that this is not a spiritual man or woman.
And I can't imagine that a materialistic pastor would be able to give an honest and meaningful sermon either!!

If Billy is an accurate portrayal of a vicar then it's high time the church is started over from scratch.

Why are the makers of Coronation Street intent on demeaning the Christian religion, which has sustained us for 2000 years? The portrayal of Billy as a parish priest is almost criminal in its absurdity. His sole thoughts all day are for his own carnal desires, and whoever happens to be available to relieve him. I find it very sinister.

I've been a Christian for over four years (still a newbie really) and Billy isn't Christian in the slightest. His homosexuality is the absolute least of it. He's a "Church goer" rather than an actual Christian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just don't feel Billy represents Christians (not even gay Christians) in the slightest.