Beyond Belief

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu used biblical references in the early days of Israel's armed response to the October 7th massacre, carried out by Hamas. The covenant of Hamas repeatedly uses Islamist rhetoric in its declaration of purpose and intent. But what does scripture and doctrine actually teach about resorting to armed conflict? When is the use of a religious justification legitimate?Aleem Maqbool and guests explore the intersection of religion, politics and international law when it comes to justifying the use of violence or military action in conflict. With Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, a Jewish lawyer and educator who lives in Jerusalem, who is the head of the Haredi division of the Tikvah Fund, a charity dedicated to promoting Jewish thoughts and ideas; Sheikh Dr Usama Hasan, an Islamic scholar and Imam with a background in researching extremism; and Mary-Ellen O’Connell, Professor of Law and International Peace Studies at the Catholic Notre-Dame University in the US, and author of ‘Self-Defence Against Non-State Actors’.With additional contributions from Rabbi Yakov Nagen, author and leader in interfaith dialogue between Judaism and Islam; and Rev Dr Muther Isaac, a Palestinian Lutheran pastor and Dean of Bethlehem Bible College. Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: Peter Everett, Ruth Purser Editors: Tim Pemberton and Dan Tierney

Teacher and Tik-Toker Henna Karin-Sayer (@mrsreandpsheteacher) shares her passion for her subject, and the challenges facing those trying to teach religious education today. A shortage of experienced subject teachers and a very mixed picture in what children are taught has led to a 'post-code lottery' in the quality of RE teaching. The subject has different names and different legal requirements depending on what nation your child goes to school in, but it's compulsory to teach religious education to all children across the UK throughout their school life. The differences are in what is taught, how it's taught and the quality of teaching. Fiona Moss is the CEO of the National Association of Teachers for Religious Education (NATRE), advising and training hundreds of teachers every year and lobbying for better funding. Stephen Evans is the Chief Executive Officer for the National Secular Society and Rabbi Benjy Rickman is Head of Religious Education at King David High School in Manchester, a Jewish faith school. They debate how the subject is and should be changing and why it's important. Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser

What does female leadership in faith and religion look like today? Whilst more women than ever participated in the Pope’s recent Synod, (an assembly, or meeting) at the Vatican last year, we still seem a fair distance from women being able to offer a sacrament in the Catholic Church. Aleem Maqbool meets Naima Khan, a Muslim and female imam and Director of the Inclusive Mosque Initiative. For ten years the mosque has been quietly pioneering, with women leading mixed-gender congregations in prayer. Naima tells Aleem why it was important for her to take on a level of spiritual leadership. What has the reaction been and what does her faith teach her about inclusivity and representation? Jill Duff, the Bishop of Lancaster in the Church of England, Georgia Clarke, a youth leader in the Roman Catholic Church, and Mandeep Kaur MBE, Sikh Chaplain to the RAF and Ministry of Defence advisor on Sikh issues discuss what female leadership means to them. What progress has been made and where are the limits in their traditions to the roles women can play?Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser

Is cultured or cultivated meat, grown from animal stem cells, kosher or halal? That's what some religious leaders and scholars are starting to consider as we search for more sustainable solutions to feeding the world. Didier Toubia is the CEO of Aleph Farms, one company in Israel that has sought religious approval for its steak, grown from the stem cells of a black angus cow. They have also submitted an application to the Food Standards Authority in the hopes of bringing their products to the UK. A written ruling by the Chief Rabbi of Israel declared that their lab-grown meat could be considered Kosher. Aleem Maqbool has questions, and is joined by a panel of livestock farmers to discuss the relationship between faith, farming and the future of meat. Dr Lutfi Radwan is from Willowbrook Farm in Oxfordshire, which claims to be the first halal and tayib farm in the UK, Bridget Down is a Methodist preacher and famer in Devon and Achyuta Masoumi is from Bhaktivendanta Manor near Watford, an estate and Hare Krishna temple which includes a cow sanctuary.Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser

Aleem Maqbool meets Richard Butler, who describes a new-found connection with Jesus during an Ayahuasca retreat in Mexico, after discovering spirituality through meditation.Some psychedelic drugs, like the plant-based DMT found in the ayahuasca drink, have been the subject of medical trials for their help with mental health conditions such as depression, with some successful results. But alongside their medical potential is, for some, a connection between their use and spirituality. To discuss what might be going on, the potential and the dangers of the so-called psychedelic renaissance, Aleem is joined by a fascinating panel. Rev Rita Powell is an Episcopal Priest who has taken magic mushrooms as part of a University trial in the US, Dr Ben Sessa is a psychiatrist involved in psychedelic research here in the UK and Dr David Luke, Associate Professor at the University of Greenwich, explores spirituality, psychedelics and ‘exceptional human experiences’ in his work.Opening Music: Ayahuasca Icaros - Medicine (Cures For All) Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: James Leesley

Abi Sampa, a talented musician and composer from Christian, Sikh, and Sufi Islamic traditions, joins a panel to explore the spiritual connection of music. They discuss the transformative power of devotional music, the impact of music in sacred settings, and the importance of music in worship and prayer. They also delve into the spiritual essence of Indian classical compositions and highlight the ability of music to create profound spiritual experiences beyond language barriers.

The number of Pagans in the UK is on the rise. The 2021 Census saw 75,000 define themselves as Pagan, 13,000 as Wicca and there was also a huge increase in those defining as Shaman, up to 8000.Aleem Maqbool speaks with modern day witch, Richard about his spirituality and the impact it has on his life sparking a discussion on Wicca, Paganism and Druidry the relationship between these spiritualities and other faiths. Producer: Katharine Longworth Editor: Tim Pemberton

In 1993 Michael Emmett was sentenced to 12 years in prison. It was there that he had a radical transformation. After a difficult night, alone in his cell, he opened the Bible and began to read. Aleem Maqbool speaks to Michael Emmett about his conversion to Christianity leading to a discussion on how religious beliefs and practices can have an impact on people sentenced to prison and how different faiths respond to prisoners.Aleem is joined by:Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo OBE - The Buddhist Adviser to HM Prison & Probation Service Dr Sofia Buncy MBE – Founder and National Coordinator of the multi-award-winning Muslim Women in Prison programme Dr Katie Hunt - Lecturer in Law at the University of Lincoln and author of "Non-religious Prisoners’ Unequal Access to Pastoral Care in International Journal of Law in Context.Producer: Katharine Longworth Editor: Tim Pemberton

‘We always put our hand on the coffin and use their name, tell them how loved they were. And then just as the door opens, we wish them well on their journey.”Crematorium Manager Jenny Hamilton tells Aleem Maqbool how she and her team approach their work with the deceased at the Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium on the West Coast of Scotland, and how her profession connects to her Christian faith.Aleem is joined by a panel to discuss how the different ways we process the body after death, has been informed by faith, and what the human body represents within different religions. How will religions respond to new ways of human decomposition that are being explored, such as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, which is being piloted in the UK later this year, and terramation or human composting?Sally Berkovic, author and a volunteer for a Chevra Kadisha, a group that helps prepare Jewish bodies for funeral, joins Aleem to share her experiences. She's joined by Reverend Andrew Dotchin, who is looking into the theology of alkaline hydrolysis for the Church of England, and Hindu teacher Seeta Lakani. The discussion raises the question, who is our death rites and rituals for: the deceased, or those left behind? Producer: Rebecca Maxted Series Producer: Katharine Longworth Editor: Tim Pemberton

The former SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes, found herself at the centre of a political storm about her religious views. In response to interviews questions, she said the idea of having children outside of marriage conflicted with her Christian faith and confirmed that she was anti-abortion. Ms Forbes also said she would not have voted for same-sex marriage if she had been a politician in 2014 when the law passed. The backlash against these views led SNP colleagues to abandon her campaign in droves.In her first major broadcast interview after withdrawing from the leadership race, Kate Forbes said “We live in a world where it’s our duty and responsibility to coexist in a compassionate, caring, loving way. There is no doubt – people put this to me all the time – that if I had perhaps not been honest, and not been truthful, if I had tried to make certain things more palatable, or politically correct, then would I have been more successful? Perhaps”. This inspires a discussion on relationship between faith and politics and whether the two can work together.In a special episode of Beyond Belief, recorded in front of a live audience at the Religion Media Festival in London.Aleem is joined by:NICK FLETCHER, Conservative MP for Don Valley, who’s talked in the past about the way in which he sees himself as a Christian first and politician secondRUTH CADBURY, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, who’s a Quaker. She was among the MPs who signed an early day motion calling for the abolition of parliamentary prayersDABINDERJIT SINGH OBE is former director of the National Audit Office and for decades has played a prominent role in government-Sikh relations.REV SALLY HITCHENER is an Anglican priest, Associate Vicar at St Martin-in-the-Fields, charity co-founder and LGBTQ+ rights activist.Producer: Linda Walker and Katharine Longworth Presenter: Aleem Maqbool Assistant Producer: Naomi Wellings