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As a Priest and a Scout Chaplain, I know comments like this are to be expected given the current climate. The Church, by the actions of a small minority, has become an easy target for lazy jokes. As a fan of Top Gear, I've come to expect these sort of jokes from the team but it does hurt when it makes little of two groups I care so much for. Guess the guys won't be looking for a priest when their next 'rocket car/drive through a wall' stunt goes horribly wrong!!

- Ian Fee, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, 21/07/2009 15:04
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I'll tell you what's more offensive, the way the Scouting association has banned all contact actiivities such as British Bulldog to appease the Health and Safety Nuts.

Baden Powell must be rolling in his grave, the Scouts and Brownies has gone totally politically correct and their complaint is just typical against topgear.

Dont even start me on the horrible new brownies uniforms!

Keep going Clarkson, the more honest people we have, the less this country feels like we fought in wars just to allow the pc brigade to destroy free thought.

If you dont like it , don't watch it you sad people.

- Mike, Essex, 21/07/2009 14:04
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The only way these comments aren't funny is if it is true and abuse in scouts is a real problem.. so, Mrs. "I am as a Scout Leader", anything you'd like to confess??

- Ben, James Island, USA, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Leave Jeremy alone! There is such a lot of rubbish on TV these days I really enjoy Top Gear and don't you dare take it off. If you can't laugh at their quips then get a life!

- Janet Greene, Twickenham, 21/07/2009 14:04
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To the Scout association,and Catholic Church------- if the cap fits wear it.

- Richard, Streatham, 21/07/2009 14:04
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So what's wrong with a couple of oafs making idiotic and offensive comments. The people of this country are impressed by bland comments from equally balnd men/boys.

- Missy, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Jeremy Clarkson has put his foot in it again-as he did with lorry drivers.
It's probably done on purpose, to get a rise out of people and organisations that will not necessarily defend themselves. A bit like trendy leftie criticism of the Monarchy.
Grumpy John

- John Nasmith, Camberley, UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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WHATS NEW. THE BBC IS OFTEN TASTLESS

- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Meh,

its not like we don't all think the same. vested interests notwithstanding of course.

- Scott, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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It's a joke - a very funny one. Also, based on truth.

- Susan, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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All leaders and helpers with the scout association are subject to criminal records bureau checks. Not saying that's perfect, but it's come along way from when May and Clarkson were kids.

There's a massive waiting list of kids wanting to be in scouting that can't because there aren't enough adults - the adults are too scared to join because of outmoded stereotypes, people thinking they're weird.

I'm taking my Explorer Scouts abseiling tonight, rafting next week, quad bikes the week after. Better than staying in and watching top gear.

- Ian, Farnham. UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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I watched the show unlike the others above......there was nothing offensive..get a grip and a sense of proportion / humour would help too. However if you wish to pick hairs...yes the catholic church was and is abound with child molesters... the scout issue did not come into the discussion ..... the car was the Skoda Scout....

- Stuart Webb, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Well I can't speak for the Catholic Church (although the Irish press seems to have done that prettythoroughly recently) but from what I remember of the Scouts, JC is spot on.

- Brian, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Must be he's narked because Ber Grylls got the Chief Scout job and he didn't.

- Shaun, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Just who exactly makes these complaints? A comment about Scouts is deemed offensive, but no-one from the Scout Association has actually registered a complaint.

If the BBC existed only to satisfy the tastes of Mr and Mrs High-dudgeon of Tonbridge Wells, there wouldn't be much telly to watch.

- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 21/07/2009 14:04
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So, He made a tasteless remark! So What!?

- Mark Cleminson, Richmond, BC, 21/07/2009 14:04
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So what?

- No 1 Zeppelin Fan, glasgow, scotland, 21/07/2009 14:04
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I wish these people who complain would get a life.

- Minnie Ovens, London, UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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If you look at the record of the Scouting organisation Mr. C may well have a point!

- Roly Baker, London, England, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Which is he an unfunny comedian or out of touch, tired TV presenter?

Either way he's a liability. Drop him and inject the show with some fresh blood.

- Simon Caleb, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Well the catholic church isnt exactly perfect.Come on its only a bit of crack.

- M Sweeney, Dollishill London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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It is BBC who is at fault for keeping talentless, overpaid and overrated so called presenters employed at our cost.

- S Cooper, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Pray tell us, who is this Jeremy Clarkson fella.
Is he some sort of third rate stand up comedian?

- The Earl Of Upney, Northamptonshire, 21/07/2009 14:04
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It's a joke. Remember those???

- Paul, Atlanta, GA formerly of Rutland, England, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Since when did topical humour become taboo!?! Perhaps this organization complained because the joke hit a nerve and was a little too close to home for comfort. To be perfectly honest, the joke is actually quite amusing. I suppose it would be acceptable if it was Monthy Python, but not if it is Jeremy Clarkson!

- Andrew Barclay, Coconut Creek, USA, 21/07/2009 14:04
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how did this awful man get a job at the beep he would bore the legs of a donkey,

- James Fennessey, london, 21/07/2009 14:04
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So what..............so true.........!!! GET OVER IT !

- Radz, Expat!, Copenhagen , Denmark., 21/07/2009 14:04
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People need to lighten up,it's a joke... If what they said wasn't true the associations wouldn't bat an eye lid.

- Gabby, Rotherham, 21/07/2009 14:04
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The two organisations concerned are obviously still in denial of all the abuse which has ocured over the years just like every other organisation which has ever had a duty of care towards young people.

- Andrew White, Brighton,Sussex, 21/07/2009 14:04
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I love this !

- Andy Parks, London, UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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But Jeremy is an ex public schoolboy!

- Cleeton Shuthonger, Outside London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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It was a joke - and obviously a joke. Some people will find it funny, some won't. Move on.

- Sa, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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That's it folks, no more Jokes on TV as somebody is always bound to be offended.

I was a scout and a catholic at one time, we made orse jokes than this about ourselves.

- Alan, Letchworth, UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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The comments from Jeremy Clarkson and James May are too disgusting for words, not only are Scouts young people (under 18) but some are 6 years old! I'm sure many scouts and their parents watch Top Gear and are outraged, as I am as a Scout Leader and a human-being. These comments come shortly after the tragic death of a young Beaver Scout. Jeremy Clarkson and James May should be sacked instantly and never left alone with kids if they believe these comments are 'funny'!!!! In response to 'Gabby' in London I hope you do not have any kids, if you do I sincerely hope they never experience abuse as you would obvisouly find it amusing!!!

- Natalie, NE, UK, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Oh my God! He is so due for brain surgery - permitting there is one!

- Kai, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Like any other TV programme... if you don't like it, turn over (or don't even watch it at all!) - there are plenty of other channels nowadays!
Television would be so dull without characters like Jeremy. That is what makes UK television so much better and unique than anywhere else.

- Nigel L, Fulham, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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I was a member of a scout troop which was atttended to by a catholic priest who is currently serving a prison sentence for paedophillia. Unfortunately by its nature the scout association, in common with every other organisation that involves children, is bound to attract men with dubious intentions. As far as the catholic church is concerned, it has a shameful history in the way it has dealt with the child abuse commited by its priests.

- Finn, London, 21/07/2009 14:04
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Ah come on, everyone thinks Jeremy Clarkson is hilarious as long as he is offending some other group, but when he hits something that you are associated with (and don't worry if you feel left out, he will get around to you eventually) there is shock and outrage! If you find him offensive ignore him, he probably hates that the most.

- This Is Mike In Canada, Burlington Ontario Canada, 21/07/2009 14:04
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