Sunday

Elvis Presley was many things to many people, but few see him as a religious figure. He recorded several songs with religious themes, including Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art, but rarely spoke publicly about his beliefs. Now, his step-brother, Billy Stanley has co-written a book, The Faith of Elvis, telling the story of the singer's interest in religion and in particular his love of the Bible. He shares his personal memories of Elvis, and how his songs were often inspired by his Christian faith.About 10% of British Muslims are black and some have experienced racism from other Muslims. The Muslim Council of Britain has acknowledged that as a "minority within a minority" they have often been marginalised, even within Muslim communities. They have just published a report examining what life is like for black British Muslims. It brings together around 40 essays from Black, African and Afro-Caribbean Muslims in the UK. We ask what needs to change to allow black Muslims to be more widely embraced and their contribution recognised in the UK.The tradition of music making in Britain's cathedrals goes back centuries. Today, the choral music produced at many cathedrals is of the highest quality. But a report from the Cathedral Music Trust suggests it is facing a crisis. In recent times, two UK cathedrals have dissolved their choirs. Others are facing severe financial pressures. The Trust suggests that churches should invest in music as a core part of the service they provide to the community. But is it reasonable to expect churches to prioritise supporting music, when there are so many other demands on their funds?Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Presenter: William Crawley

The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be the biggest ceremonial event held in the UK in recent times. It will be the first state funeral since that of Winston Churchill in 1965. It will be attended by political leaders, royals and heads of state from across the world. We consider the history of state and royal funerals, and the extent to which they have adapted to reflect the country’s changing religious and cultural landscape. There has been a call for a spirit of "radical generosity" from the British people, to help reduce the number of deaths caused by the cost of living crisis. Is it enough to rely on the government to limit the effects of inflation, or do we all have a personal moral obligation to take action in supporting others who are struggling? In Islam, Zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria to donate a certain portion of their wealth to charitable causes. We hear about the work of a foodbank run by Muslim volunteers and speak to the National Zakat Foundation about their work in supporting people in need.This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams. He was an enthusiastic collector of traditional English folk tunes, many of which found their way into his works. But he also turned some of them into well known hymns. Over the next few months, a group of musicians will be touring cathedrals in England and Wales with a celebration of the folk tunes he loved so much. It's called From Pub to Pulpit, and will demonstrate how folk tunes, heard in fields, workplaces and pubs, were passed down the generations, and then turned into hymns by Vaughan Williams.Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Rosie Dawson Presenter: Edward Stourton

In this special edition of Sunday, Edward Stourton reflects on the late Queen Elizabeth II's relationship to faith, explores how she stood for continuity amid so much change and hears from leaders of some of the many religious groups that flourished as never before in the second Elizabethan era.Producers: Jill Collins and Julia Paul Editor: Dan Tierney

His was the shortest papacy in modern times. The sudden death of Pope John Paul I, after a pontificate of just 33 days, shocked the world and generated a host of conspiracy theories. As his beatification this weekend takes him one stage closer to becoming a saint, we speak to a man who was invited by the Vatican to investigate his death, John Cornwell, author of ‘A Thief in the Night: Life and Death in the Vatican'. The devastating floods in Pakistan have left millions of people homeless and destroyed buildings, bridges and roads. Vast swathes of the country are now under water. More than a thousand people have died, and more have been injured. Many British Muslims have joined the efforts to provide relief in the country. We hear from the Nottingham based charity, Muslim Hands, which is working in Pakistan, about the help that's needed and how people can offer support.In India, after decades of many unborn girls being aborted, new research suggests the country's sex ratio at birth is beginning to normalise. The Pew Research Center suggests that "son bias" has declined sharply. Edward Stourton asks Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Professor of Sikh Studies at Birmingham University, why attitudes are changing and daughters are now more often being celebrated.A new book brings together the stories of Christians who feel their disability prevents them from playing a full part in church life. This year's Church of England General Synod unanimously backed a motion committing to the removal of barriers that prevent disabled people from engaging. But personal stories in the book suggest that the problem is not simply with access to church, but with theology too. Producer: Jonathan Hallewell Presenter: Edward Stourton

Churches in Liverpool are today opening their doors to members of the community still struggling to come to terms with the shooting of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Olivia was killed as her mother struggled with a gunman at the door of their home on Monday. The Right Reverend Beverley Mason is the acting Bishop of Liverpool and also Bishop of Warrington. She tells William Crawley about the support they can offer.An astonishing 20,500 of Russia's estimated 165,000 Jews have left Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. According to the Jewish Agency, which helps Jews move to Israel, at least one in eight Jews has now left the country - including the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Pinchas Goldschmidt. Many have gone to Israel, but thousands more have moved to other countries. Anna Shternshis, Professor of Yiddish Studies and a Specialist in Russian Jewish history at the University of Toronto, tells us why.One of the UK’s oldest church-based youth organisations may be about to split. The Northern Ireland section of the Boy's Brigade, which has been mostly linked to the conservative-leaning Presbyterian Church in Ireland, is about to poll its leaders on a motion to separate from the national organisation. The Boys' Brigade has historically been one organisation across the British Isles, so this would be a major departure. One third of members are based in Northern Ireland. And what's your favourite cathedral? A new book celebrates the lives, legacies and extraordinary histories of some of the world's greatest cathedrals. Author and architectural historian Emma Wells tells us where her research took her.Presented by William Crawley. produced by Julia Paul and Jill Collins.

How do we preserve memories of loved ones after their death? An innovative new technology has been developed that allows people to interact virtually with someone who has recorded answers to a series of questions before their death. We discuss the moral implications and hear from the actor William Shatner who has documented his own life in a video for future generations. In Iran, there are reports that authorities have arrested several leaders from the Bahá’i community and demolished homes. William Crawley speaks to Oxford law professor Dr Nazila Ghanea, who was recently appointed the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and Iqan Shahidi, a Baha'i from Iran, who was imprisoned for 5 years for campaigning for the right of Baha’is to a university education. Does the Church of England have a class problem? We ask bricklayer turned curate, Revd Luke Larner, and Dr Liz Graveling who has recently commissioned a study on the experience of working class clergy.Producers: Katharine Longworth and Dan Tierney.

The stabbing of author Salman Rushdie has again ignited the debate around freedom of speech and religious sensibilities. At this stage it's not known why the 75-year-old was attacked. The broadcaster and journalist Mobeen Azhar, who produced the podcast Fatwa, joins us to talk about the background to the threats made against Salman Rushdie after the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" in 1988.It is already a whole year since the Taliban took over again in Afghanistan. Thousands of refugees were able to come to the UK - but a year on, up to 10,000 are still living in cramped hotels, while for those left in Afghanistan, life is even more precarious. Marzia Babakarkhail, who was a judge in Kabul, came to the UK in 2008 after the Taliban tried to assassinate her twice. She arrived with no English, but joins us to explain how now she works for the Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams on immigration and asylum seeker cases - and earlier this year ran to be a local councillor.We've talked before about the cost of living crisis, but as prices continue to rise, now religious buildings are also facing huge bills. One Methodist minister tells us that in the last year, his monthly electricity bill has risen from £70 to £1000 a month. New research from the Theos think tank finds many religious organisations are having to make difficult decisions about the services they will still be able to offer.And with many of us overwhelmed by constant stories of environmental or economic crisis, not to mention worries about physical or mental health, the Medicine Festival in Berkshire next weekend sounds like the perfect antidote. Its aim is to envision a more enlightened, peaceful and sustainable world and provides a platform for so called 'indigenous wisdom keepers' to share their teachings, ceremonies and traditional technologies.Presented by Emily Buchanan. Produced by Amanda Hancox and Julia Paul.

The former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling for an emergency budget to support the poorest through the autumn and winter, as the cost of living rises. He’s commissioned a report, co-signed by more than 60 faith groups and charities, which says there is a “growing gap between need and current provision” for the lowest income families. Edward Stourton is joined by Gordon Brown and Pastor Mick Fleming who runs ‘Church on the Street’, an anti-poverty charity in Burnley. The Lambeth Conference draws to a close with the dominant issue of the week being the Anglican Church’s stance on homosexuality. Two bishops with very different perspectives reflect on this and on the wider purpose of the global Anglican Communion. The singer Beyoncé's new album 'Renaissance' has gone straight to the top of the charts. Her music has often incorporated religious themes and imagery, which has made her both an empowering and controversial figure. Two fans talk about what Beyoncé means to them as black Christian women.Producers: Dan Tierney and Jill CollinsEditor: Helen Grady.

The UK is being pressured to explain why changes were made to an official statement on gender equality, including removing commitments to abortion and sexual health rights, following the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, held in London earlier this month. Norway and Denmark have approached the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to protest against the changes, and an open letter to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss from more than 20 human rights, pro-choice, and international aid groups has demanded the government reverse the deletions immediately and explain why they were made. Caroline Nokes MP, who chairs the women and equalities select committee, has also written to the foreign secretary. She tells us why she's concerned.More than 650 Anglican Bishops from around the world have arrived in Canterbury for the first Lambeth conference since 2008. The conference offers an opportunity for worship, discussion and - once again, it seems - a falling out over sex. The Church is declining in the West and growing in the Global south. Harry Farley reports on what this means for the nature and leadership of the Anglican communion. The archive used in his report was supplied by Pathe News. The Scottish Highlands and islands are criss-crossed with ‘coffin roads’, the paths along which bodies were carried for burial. Many are now popular walking and cycling routes. But their history reminds us of a time when death was a more public and ritualistic practice. Professor Ian Bradley, whose book on this has just been published, tells us what the distinctive West Highland and Hebridean approach to dying and mourning can offer us today.Presented by Edward Stourton. Produced by Julia Paul and Amanda Hancox.

Birmingham is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games and faith communities across the West Midlands are involved in the preparations, including Ranjit and Manpreet from Wolverhampton Wrestling Club who will both be taking part in The Queen’s Baton Relay. William speaks to them about Wolverhampton, wrestling and what it means to be a Sikh on the mat.Conservative party members are preparing to vote for their new leader and our next Prime Minister. As they decide between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, we discuss the candidates' religious hinterland and ask what bearing, if any, religious questions might have on the leadership race. The smash Netflix hit, Stranger Things, has just aired its fourth series. Some religious commentators say the success of Stranger Things is down to the fact that, at its heart, is the age-old battle between good and evil. In the latest series there seems to be no let up on the religious iconography. Culture writer Sophie Caledecott decodes some of the deeper, spiritual meanings at work in the series.Pope Francis flies to Canada this week where he’s expected to apologise for the abuse of Indigenous children in church-run residential schools. William hears from Dark Cloud, who was adopted by a British family as a child after being forcibly taken in what is known as The Sixties Scoop. Joy Spearchief-Morris, Indigenous Black Canadian writer and advocate tells us the situation in Canada and the BBC's Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool highlights what we can expect from the Papal visit.As East Africa faces the worst drought in 40 years, William speaks to Elizabeth Myendo, Tearfund's Disaster Management Lead for East and Southern Africa live from Nairobi with an account of the impact on people living in countries like Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The 15th Lambeth Conference is to be held in Canterbury from 26 July to 8 August. The bishops will issue affirmations and “calls” from the conference based on their discussions around mission, the environment, safe church, interfaith relations and Anglican identity but there are some notable absences. Church leaders from Rwanda, Nigeria and Uganda are boycotting the conference in protest at what they see as a liberalisation of teaching on human sexuality. The Archbishop of Cape Town, Dr Thabo Makgoba, is chair of the Lambeth design group and speaks to William Crawley about the boycott.And Daniel Mullhall, Ireland's ambassador to the United States, tells us about religion in James Joyce’s Ulysses.