

Sunday
BBC Radio 4
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 11, 2018 • 44min
Ten commandments for robots, First female Scottish episcopal bishop and five years of Pope Francis.
William visits the robotics exhibition at the Manchester Museum of Science and Technology with AI expert, Dr Louise Dennis, from Liverpool University, to discuss whether it's possible to create an ethical framework for advances in robotic technology. Professor Tom Wright, former Bishop of Durham, on his book Paul: A Biography in which he details the life of St Paul in a new way.William discusss the Archbishop of Canterbury meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince during his visit to the UK.The first female Episcopalian bishop in Scotland. Bishop Anne Dyer - who is pro same-sex marriage was consecrated last week, she gives her first broadcast interview about her hopes for the future.Five years ago in St Peter's Square in Rome a piece of church history was made when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected Pope - the first Jesuit to hold the office, the first from the Americas and the southern hemisphere and the first non European Pope for over 1,000 years. Trevor Barnes looks back over his eventful five years as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. Whilst Paul Vallely, Religious writer and broadcaster, Phil Lawler, editor of Catholic World News and Cecilia Taylor Camera, of the Catholic Bishop Conference of England & Wales, discuss his achievements and the criticisms of his Papacy.Producers:
Amanda Hancox
Lissa CookPhoto credit courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry.

Mar 4, 2018 • 44min
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopens; International Women's Day; and the Hindu festival, Holi.
This weekend Hindu's are celebrating Holi - the colour filled festival that celebrates the coming of spring and victory of good over evil. Rajeev Gupta reports.Film Critic Richard Fitzwilliams reviews the new Mary Magdalene film staring Rooney Mara as Mary and Joaquin Phoenix in the role of Jesus.Ahead of International Women's Day Yassmin Abdel-Magied named Queensland Young Australian of the Year in 2015 talks to Edward about empowering women. A high court judge has granted an application for a judicial review of a senior coroner's "cab rank" policy in dealing with unexpected deaths, saying it raises issues of importance to Jewish and Muslim communities. Joshua Rosenberg explains.This week the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards are given to business leaders for their promotion of peace through interfaith knowledge and action. Edward speaks to Brian Grim, President of the Religious freedom & Business Foundation from Seoul.How to dispose of old or damaged copies of the Koran is a sensitive issue and people have been accused of blasphemy for disrespecting the holy book. Secunder Kermani has been to Quetta in Pakistan to look at a project devoted to solving the problem.This week the church of the Holy Sepulchre closed as a sign of protest and has since re-opened, journalist Jordana Miller explains why. Last month the Vatican withheld permission for three key female speakers to address the Voices of Faith conference. Edward discusses why with Father Luke Hansen SJ (who will be taking part in Voices of Faith) and by Catholic journalist Caroline Farrow who agrees with the Vatican's decision.Producers: Carmel Lonergan; Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: Holi Festival of Colours.

Feb 25, 2018 • 44min
Syria, Purim, Billy Graham and Ecumenical Marriage
US evangelist Billy Graham, who counselled presidents and preached to millions across the world died this week aged 99. Matt Wells and Sarah Posner look back at his life and legacy.As the violence continues in Syria Sister Annie Demerjian describes life in Damascus and what it's like to live in the current situation. We also hear from Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics.On Wednesday Jews will be celebrating the festival of Purim. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman's plot to kill all the Jews as recorded in the book of Esther. It's a time when Jews raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for causes important to them by performing dances and entertaining one another. Reporter Rajeev Gupta has been to meet a group preparing for the festival.Recent figures show that there is a severe shortfall in the number of people training to become RE teachers. Trevor Barnes has been finding out why.Church of England churches might have to host non-Anglican wedding ceremonies if a Private Member's Bill introduced by Lord Deben in the House of Lords becomes law. The Church of England is opposed to the Bill. Lord Griffiths and Rev Martin Kettle discuss the implications with Edward.Justin Trudeau, the Canadian PM, is bringing to end a turbulent week long visit to India this weekend. Some Indian ministers have accused the Canadian government of a lack of action on tackling campaigns for a Sikh separatist state based and funded in Canada. The BBC's Pratiksha Ghildial joins Edward from Delhi to explain what's been happening.Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Amanda Hancox.

Feb 18, 2018 • 44min
The ancient Mandean religion. Can we live without being judged? Should we give to charity?
The Mandaean religion predates Christianity. Now two universities are documenting some of its most important rituals online for generations to come. Fiona Clampin reports. The Very Rev Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham Cathedral, tells Martin about the Open Treasure exhibition "Tudors: the family and faith" which highlights the impact of the dynasty on the Cathedral.In the aftermath of the events that have put Oxfam in the news this week we ask "should we stop giving money to overseas-aid charities?" Veteran field-worker Paul Hardcastle says yes and Paul Vallely, a religious-affairs journalist and academic expert on aid and development says no.Bishop Bertin Mwale Subi, the bishop of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells Martin why he's calling on President Kabilla to hold elections in December and says there will be indescribable chaos if they don't take place. Zayid Marar is a writer who's about to publish a book called Judgement - the Value of Being Misunderstood. Martin talks to him about how a society can't function without judgement and how that relates to religion.Christopher Lamb explains why the Pope's informal, non-clerical, accessible style of management is fine when things are going well but not so helpful when things go wrong.Austin Eubanks, who survived the Columbine shooting in 1999, and Patrick Carolan, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network, respond to the mass-shooting at a high school in Florida.Producers: Carmel Lonergan and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham.
Editor: Amanda HancoxPhoto: courtesy of the University of Exeter.

Feb 11, 2018 • 44min
Does meditation work? Rio carnival under threat, Saving Jewish Heritage sites
The new Mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella has substantially cut funding to this year's Carnival which started on Friday. The BBC's South America Correspondent Katy Watson profiles the Mayor who is one of the most prominent voices on the religious right in Brazilian politics and a man tipped to be President of his country one day. The Church Investors Group, which represents Church organisations with combined investments of £17 billion, has warned some of Britain's biggest companies it intends to take a hard line over failings on executive pay, gender diversity and climate change in the forthcoming annual meeting season - Canon Edward Carter, the groups Chair, tell Edward what difference he thinks they can make.The Foundation for Jewish Heritage has launched a project to map and preserve the historic synagogues of Europe. Historian Simon Schama and Journalist Natasha Kaplinsky OBE tell us about their connection with the projectA 1,300-year-old gold cross (the Trumpington Cross), found buried with the body of an aristocratic Anglo-Saxon teenager, has gone on display in Cambridge. Dr Sam Lucy an archaeologist at Cambridge University explains its significance.A new app has been released which is designed to help couples stay together. We get a couple to try it out and hear from its developers Christine and Mark Daniel. New research from Dr Miguel Farias of Coventry University says there is no evidence meditation and mindfulness make you a better person. Reporter Bob Walker has been looking into the Hindu history of the practice and whether it can have a positive impact on wellbeing. Producers: Rajeev Gupta and Helen Lee
Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Feb 4, 2018 • 44min
Cardinal Vincent Nichols on human trafficking, Franklin Graham and Sharia Law
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales says that we are losing the battle against human trafficking.BBC's Religious Affairs Editor Martin Bashir talks to Franklin Graham, the son of the evangelist Billy Graham.A review of sharia councils, launched by Theresa May in 2016 when she was home secretary, was published this week. It calls for sharia councils to be regulated with a code of conduct and recommends Muslim couples should be legally required to civilly register their marriage before or at the same time as their Islamic ceremony. Edward talks to the review's chair Prof Mona Siddiqui.What did Jesus look like? Everyone can conjure an image of Jesus and often he is seen as a handsome, white man with flowing locks and pristine linen robes. But is our popular image of Jesus overly westernized and untrue to historical reality? Christian Origins scholar Joan E. Taylor tells Edward what he really looked like.The Bishop of Manchester is calling for concerted action to tackle child poverty after it was revealed that more than half of children in some parts of the country are living in poverty. Manchester is highlighted as one of the worst areas. Kevin Bocquet has been looking at the reasons children are living in poverty in a growing and affluent city. Edward discusses child poverty with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker.According to new research you are more likely to support immigration if you are a Christian and go to Church. Those who say they are Christian, but don't go to Church are the least supportive of immigration in any faith group. Producers: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham and Carmel Lonergan
Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Jan 28, 2018 • 44min
Holocaust Memorial Day, Are We Racist? 50 Years a Vicar
As Turkey expands its bombardment of Kurdish controlled areas in Syria, there are reports that young men from the UK are travelling to join Kurdish forces. The Kurds have been largely supported and armed by NATO, of which Turkey are a member. As the situation becomes ever more complex historian Peter Frankopan talks to William about what's going on. Canon David Wyatt, the second longest serving incumbent in the C of E, celebrated 50 years as Vicar of St Paul's Paddington, Salford this week. Kevin Bouquet went along to meet him. January 27, 1945 is the day the Auschwitz concentration camp in modern-day Poland was liberated by the Soviets. Noemie Lopian talks about her father's memoir, 'The Long Night', which details his experiences in several concentration camps. Originally written in German, Noemie tells William why she has only recently summoned the emotional resilience to translate the book. The Church of England has announced £24.4 million in funding for projects "aimed at opening new churches in deprived urban estates" Bishop Philip North explains how the Diocese of Blackburn intends to use its share of the money especially following the BBC's Panorama programme highlighting issues of ethnic and religious segregation in Blackburn.This week the first Turban wearing Sikh MP Tan Singh Dhesi said he has been surprised by the amount of racist abuse he has received since becoming an MP last year. Are we becoming more intolerant as a society? Dr Mark Ledwidge and Journalist Mona Chalabi debate the question.Good Morning is the new trend on texts in India. These greetings are so popular they are blocking the internet. Rahul Tandon explains what's behind this new phenomenon.Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Jan 21, 2018 • 44min
What is Prayer, Down's syndrome testing, the Singh Twins
A new exhibition by The Singh Twins has just opened at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool exploring the history of Indian textiles and challenges the history of empire and its relevance on lifestyles in the West today. Matthew Kalman, Middle East Correspondent for Bloomberg, explains why the Knesset in Israel has voted to close shops over Shabbat.Footballer Cyrille Regis passed away this week. He was a trustee of Christians in Sport and a campaigner against racism in football. Graham Daniels from Christians in Sport tells Edward about Cyrille Regis' faith and passion for the beautiful game. Research by Tearfund says half of adults in the UK pray. But if you are not praying to God can it really be called a prayer? Graham Nicholls, Director of Affinity and Mark Vernon a psychotherapist debate the meaning of prayer.Harry Farley with an update on what will be coming up in General Synod this February. One of the motions to be put forward for debate at Synod is on Down's Syndrome. Kevin Bocquet reports on the Church's concern that the new Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)to be rolled out this year across the NHS in England and Wales could lead to a decline in the number of live Down's syndrome births..HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published a report on Liverpool prison highlighting safety concerns. Earlier in the week an Urgent Notification was issued for Nottingham prison which gives the Secretary of State for Justice 28 days to respond. Edward asks former prison chaplain Reverend Sharon Grenham-Thompson and the Bishop to Prisons James Langstaff for their reactions. Producers
Carmel Lonergan
Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor
Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: Pete Carr for the Walker Gallery.

Jan 14, 2018 • 44min
Bar Mitzvahs in Old Age, Unregistered Faith Schools, 21st-Century Mosques
The UN has called on Israel to scrap a new programme to force thousands of African migrants out of the country. Middle East Correspondent Yolande Knell has been speaking with some people effected and gives us the latest.A Bar Mitzvah would normally be associated with a boy who is 13 and a Bat Mitzvah would be for a girl at the age of 12 or 13. The ceremony traditionally marks a child's coming of age. However, as we hear its becoming more common for older people to have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah; second time around or maybe for the first time. Hackney Council have released a report into unregistered educational settings. They say gaps in current laws mean hundreds of children are not having a proper education and growing up without being able to read or write. Instead they are subjected to hours of religious doctrine. Hear more on the programme.And the Sikh Federation UK have called for restrictions to be placed on any Indian government officials entering Sikh temples unless for private worship... we find out why.Hundreds of churches across Germany are defying the state, opening their doors to offer refuge to more than six hundred asylum seekers facing deportation. And the numbers are growing. Dale Gavlak reports from Germany on growing tensions between churches offering refuge and public opinion towards refugees. And what should mosques look like in the 21st Century and what role should they play in the lives of young Muslims? Dr Khadijah Elshayyal from the Alwaleed centre and Hassan Joudi, from the Muslim Council of Britain tell Edward why it's an issue now and what may be uncovered.Producers: Rajeev Gupta and Amanda Hancox.Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Jan 7, 2018 • 44min
Britain's youngest railway chaplain, President Putin's Christmas, Getting to the Church on Time.
A 19 year old has just taken up her post as a chaplain with the Railway Mission, which aims to support rail staff and passengers who are caught up in accidents on the tracks. Edward Stourton talks to Hannah Tuck about the appeal and challenges of the job.The Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) publishes research into spiritual abuse tomorrow. What is meant by the term? Where is it most prevalent and how can such abuse be prevented?Gavin Drake was expecting to spend Thursday quietly at home remembering his wife, Jill Saward, on the first anniversary of her death. Jill Saward had spent many years campaigning for the rights of rape victims after her own experience of rape in the Ealing vicarage in the 1980s. But the day was given added piquancy with the news that a parole board had decided that convicted rapist John Worboys should be released from jail. Kevin Boquet reports on a training programme for head teachers, devised and run by the Church of England which has received government accreditation. A Kent vicar has found a novel way of getting brides to the church on time; he fines them if they are more than ten minutes late.And - all he wants for Christmas is .......Vladimir Putin celebrates Orthodox Christmas confident of another Presidential term.Producers: Rosie Dawson and Helen Lee.Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.