Show Notes
People of faith who have pro-actively built bridges with those from other religions say their work is the most difficult it's ever been. Since the Hamas attack of October 7th 2023 and the conflict in Gaza, previously friendly relations between British Jews and Muslims have been strained. Separately, the British government has withdrawn funding from one national network. Interfaith work can span gatherings in places of worship, sharing bagels and samosas to women's discussion groups, debates and shared charity work. Giles Fraser asks if this effort is in crisis? And with many feeling disillusioned, is interfaith work worth saving? Joining Giles to share their experiences and discuss is Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers, Dr Ed Kessler from the Woolf Institute, Julie Siddiqi and Professor Harriet Baber from the University of San Diego. Presenter: Giles Fraser Editor: Dan Tierney Producers: Rebecca Maxted and Peter Everett Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser
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Martin Luther King said: "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state". What happens when religious conscience and the law collide? In a socially diverse Britain, how should we understand peoples faith and religiosity in public life – as exceptionalism, privilege or as a human right? This discussion includes faith based case law; the purpose of the Lords Spiritual; the assisted dying debate; plans to reform marriage law; and examples of religious dress in legal settings. The panel is: Professor Satvinder Juss, a turbaned Sikh barrister. Professor Russell Sandberg, from Cardiff University's Centre for Law and Religion. The Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, who is one of the Lords Spiritual. Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4. Presenter: Mona Siddiqui Producer: Katy Booth Assistant Producer: Liberty Phelan Editor: Tim Pemberton
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Giles Fraser explores Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s brain hemisphere theory, which argues that the left and right hemispheres of the brain perceive the world in radically different ways—and that modern society has become dangerously dominated by the left hemisphere’s analytical, fragmented, and controlling mode of thought. He describes how the two hemispheres of the brain perceive reality in fundamentally different ways. The left hemisphere, he argues, sees a fragmented, abstract world—focused on control and acquisition—while the right hemisphere perceives a flowing, interconnected reality, rich in context, meaning, and mystery. We unpack this theory with our panel of experts: Dr. Philip Goff, philosopher and professor at Durham University. Philip is known for his work in panpsychism, a philosophical view which proposes that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe—not just something that emerges from complex brains, but something that may be present even at the level of basic matter. His research focuses on the philosophy of mind and the nature of consciousness. Canon Dr. Joanna Collicutt, psychologist and theologian from the University of Oxford. Joanna brings a unique perspective that bridges psychology, spirituality, and pastoral care—exploring how religious experience shapes and is shaped by the human mind. And Professor Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist and a leading figure in the emerging field of neurotheology—which explores the relationship between brain function and religious or spiritual experience. Andrew is Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences and Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the United States. Also on the programme, The Sacred podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield, shares a powerful spiritual experience—one that defied easy explanation and left a lasting imprint on her spiritual life. Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4. Presenter: Giles Fraser Producer: Bara'atu Ibrahim Assistant Producer: Jay Behrouzi & Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton