Unbelievable?

Laura Miller was captivated by Lewis' Narnia stories as a child.  As a teenager she learnt of the Christian parallels in the books and felt "cheated and betrayed".  Find out why in today's programme and how she has come to terms with Narnia by writing "The Magician's Book". Michael Ward is a leading expert on CS Lewis and author of "Planet Narnia".  As a Christian the Narnia stories served to deepen his faith, and he has also recently uncovered a rich secret within the books that has gone unnoticed until now. They discuss how the Christian Narnia affected Miller and some of the criticisms she levels at them in her book.  For Michael Ward see www.planetnarnia.com For Laura Miller see www.lauramiller.org If you enjoyed this discussion you may also enjoy: Unbelievable? 8 Dec 2007 The Golden Compass - is it atheist propaganda? For more Christian/non Christian discussions visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or via itunes Join the discussion at the Premier Community

Angels & Demons is the sequel to the film "The Da Vinci Code" - both by Dan Brown.  Is Angels & Demons as controversial as Da Vinci? Probably not, but some are worried at the way it represents the Catholic Church and the science/faith debate. Justin is joined by Jesuit communications director Ged Clapson and Susan Fani of the Catholic League with their reaction to the film.  Theologian & scientist David Wilkinson debates the science angle of the film with atheist Robert Stovold. For the film see www.angelsanddemons.com For Ged Clapson see www.jesuit.org.uk For the Catholic League www.catholicleague.org For David Wilkinson click here For more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast or via itunes Join the debate at the Premier Community

Geshe Tashi Tsering has been a Buddhist monk since he was a teenager.  He claims that fulfillment in life involves shedding negative mental states and embracing the enlightened understanding of Buddhism.  We are the answer to our own salvation. Sunil Shivdasani is a Christian from a Hindu background.  He works with Christian Vision for Men.  He explains why he believes Jesus is the true way to enlightenment, why he believes in a creator God and that we need help from God to be saved. For Geshe Tashi Tsering see  www.jamyang.co.uk For Sunil Shivdasani www.cvmen.org.uk For more Christian/non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy Unbelievable? 6 Oct 2007 Buddhism Burma and Christianity - the path of non-violence Discuss this programme at the Premier Community www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable

Former UK Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt recently tabled an amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill seeking to allow people not to be prosecuted for aiding others to die at overseas euthanasia clinics. Those who oppose Euthanasia see this is as part of a strategy to change the UK law that currently prohibits assisted suicide. In this edition of "Unbelievable?" Atheist Peer Lord Dick Taverne (Lib Dem) and Dan Boucher, Parliamentary Officer for Christian charity CARE debate the rights and wrongs of Euthanasia. Lord Taverne believes that the evidence shows Euthanasia is a caring way of dealing with those who are suffering, Dan Boucher believes it will herald a slippery slope to the devaluing of life. Hanne Stinson of the British Humanist Association and Trevor Stammers of the Christian Medical Fellowship also contribute. Should we accept the wishes of those with terminal illness that wish to die? Or are we creating a culture of death? Hear more Christian/Non-Christian debate at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast You may also be interested in listening to: Unbelievable? 12 Jan 2008 - Human Fertilisation & Embryology - are we playing God? Unbelievable? 19 Jan 2008 Abortion - pro-life vs. pro-choice. For CARE see: http://www.care.org.uk/ For the BHA see: www.humanism.org.uk For the Christian Medical Fellowship see: http://www.cmf.org.uk/ Join in the discussion at The Premier Community

While non-Christians may doubt the miracles and resurrection of Jesus, few doubt his actual existence.  However, Ken Humphreys believes the evidence for Jesus' very existence is scant and that Christian belief in him is the result of "late and fake" accounts. JP Holding is a vociferous defender of Christian history and doctrine and believes Ken's scepticism is unfounded and biased. They examine the evidence both in and beyond the Gospels for Jesus' existence. For JP Holding see www.tektonics.org For Ken Humphreys see www.jesusneverexisted.com Hear more Christian/non-Christian debates at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast. If you enjoyed this programme you may also be interested in: Unbelievable? 3 May 2008 - Josh McDowell answers tough questions on the Christian faith Unbelievable? 18 Oct 2008 - Why Should I believe in Jesus? Ex-Christian Norman Hansen vs. Amy Orr-Ewing of the Zacharias Trust Discuss this programme at the Premier Community 

Jesus was a Jew.  Christianity owes its birth to Judaism.  But did Jesus represent the fulfilment of Jewish Messianic hopes and prophecy? Jonathan Romain is Rabbi of a Reform Synagogue in Maidenhead and was recently named as one of the most influential Jews in the UK. He believes that whatever Jesus was, he was not the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Stephen Pacht is a Messianic Jew.  He believes Jesus is the Messiah the Jews were promised, but has not been recognised yet by many fellow Jews. For Rabbi Jonathan Romain www.maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk For Stephen Pacht www.jewsforjesus.org.uk For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy Unbelievable? 24 May 2008 Jesus & Jewishness: are they compatible? Rabbi Shmuley Boteach & Michael Brown debate Discuss this programme at the Premier Community

Premier is inviting Christians to sign the "I am a Christian" declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk and stand up for their Christian faith. It's in response to the fact that over 100,000 have downloaded the National Secular Society's "Debaptism" certificate, renouncing childhood baptismal vows. There have been a number of stories that suggest Christians are being restricted form being open about their Christian faith in the public arena, and now the National Secular Society is urging that hospital chaplains should not be funded by the NHS. Premier's CEO Peter Kerridge explains why he believes the campaign will encourage Christian to be bold in their faith. Terry Sanderson of the National Secular Society explains why they want to take Christian influence out of the public sphere, while Andrea Williams of Christian Concern for Our Nation explains why she believes the rights of Christians are being challenged. Sign the declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk For Terry Sanderson see www.secularism.org.uk For Andrea Williams see www.ccfon.org For more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast If you enjoyed this programme you may want to listen to Unbelievable? 2 Aug 2008 - Faith & School - do they mix? Jan Ainsworth & Andrew Copson debate. Join the discussion at the Premier Community

Steven Carr has a prolific presence on the internet as an atheist blogger and debater.  He contends that  the early Christians did not believe in Jesus' resurrection and that the Biblical views of resurrection are contradictory. Canon Michael Cole is a veteran defender of Christian faith and responds to Steven's criticisms of the resurrection. For Steven Carr see http://stevencarrwork.blogspot.com/ For Canon Michael Cole see http://www.nationwidechristiantrust.com For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast If you enjoyed this you may also wish to listen to Unbelievable? 10 Jun 2007 Dead or Alive: the Truth of the Resurrection Unbelievable? 8 Mar 2008 Can we trust the Gospels? Join the discussion at the Premier Community

Did Jesus rise from the dead?  What if he never actually died on the cross? As Easter approaches we hear from one of the best respected Muslim scholars in the world - Shabir Ally.  He explains why he does not believe Jesus rose from the dead, namely because he never actually died upon the cross - he merely 'swooned'. Christian Apologist Tony Costa presents his case for the resurrection of Christ and critiques Ally's belief that Jesus did not die. For Shabir Ally visit www.islaminfo.com For Tony Costa visit www.freewebs.com/tonycosta/ Click here for the "Unbelievable?" TV debate between Michael Bird and James Crossley on Christian Origins and the Resurrection. To hear more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast If you enjoyed this programme you may wish to hear: Unbelievable? 26 Apr 2008 Proof for the Resurrection - Evangelist Tony Costa & Atheist Ken Humphreys debate. Unbelievable? 15 Nov 2008 Does the Trinity lead to polytheism? James White of Alpha & Omega ministries debates Abdullah Al Andalusi Join the discussion at the Premier Community

Church minister David Robertson authored a series of Open Letters to Richard Dawkins after the publication of "The God Delusion" that sought to expose the flaws in his argument and the "atheist myths" that he was guilty of. Those missives became a book called "The Dawkins Letters: Challenging atheist myths" and has propelled David into the spotlight as he addresses sceptical audiences on whether Christian belief makes sense. He debates with student Adrian Hayter also known as the "atheist blogger" online. Adrian disagrees with David's conclusions. They debate "the myth of Atheist rationality and tolerance" & "the myth of the inherent evil of religion" Tune in next week for round 2... To buy "The Dawkins Letters" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping For David Robertson see: www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk For Adrian Hayter see: http://atheistblogger.com/ For more Christian and non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and get the podcast You may be interested to hear the Show of 27 Dec 08 - "Bits & Bobs end of year special" featuring David Robertson Join the discussion at the Premier Community