Show Notes
Do we have a desire for God? In the first of a new series, Aleem Maqbool speaks to David Baddiel about his book "The God Desire". Aleem is joined on stage at The Hay Festival by the panel to explore what it means to have a desire for God, where this desire might come from and whether it's driven by fear of death. Aleem is joined by: Fergus Butler-Gallie – Priest in the Church of England and author of "Touching Cloth" Osman Yousefzada – Multidisciplinary artist and author of "The Go Between" Dr Carissa Sharp - Assistant Professor in Psychology of Religion at Birmingham University Recorded at The Hay Festival in front of a live audience. Producers: Katharine Longworth and Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton
More from Beyond Belief
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
The Gospel According to Dylan. Sixty years ago, Bob Dylan was on stage at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester when a fan shouted "Judas!" from the audience. Giles is joined by Michael Gray, and writer, poet, philosopher, priest, and blues-singer, Malcolm Guite to discuss the spiritual side of Bob Dylan. He also speaks to Gospel legend, Regina McCrary about touring with Dylan at the height of his Christian period. Producers: Katharine Longworth and Peter Everett
Giles Fraser gets under the skin of the religious significance of tattoos. We hear from Wassim Rassouk - the owner of the oldest tattoo business in the world and head of a family business going back 27 generations. His panel are Revd Wendy Dalrymple, Canon of Ripon Cathedral who has Christian symbols tattooed on the entire length of her arms, tattoo artist and designer, Gabriel Wolff who specialises in Hebrew Calligraphy, and Maori tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana.
Giles Fraser and the panel discuss religious views on military action and how conflict is justified theologically across different faiths and contexts. They reflect on the personal story of Michael Elstub, and his journey from military service to becoming a Quaker and peace campaigner. Panel: Mandeep Kaur MBE - Sikh Chaplain to the Armed Forces Prof David Chandler - Professor of International Relations, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster Sheikh Dr Usama Hasan - Imam and counter-extremism practitioner Major General Timothy Cross CBE - retired British Army officer and military logistics expert and lay minister in the Church of England Producers: Katharine Longworth and Peter Everett
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