Things Unseen

A childhood of religious indoctrination often leads to damage for those who try to escape it in adulthood. Psychologist Dr Marlene Winell knows all about this 'trauma', personally, and among her patients. She tells her story to Catholic broadcaster, Mark Dowd. As does Samantha Field, who identifies with the dangers of indoctrination, but tells of a 'good' that she has allowed to come out of an 'evil'.

Sami Yusuf – dubbed Islam’s biggest rock star - explains to Alison Hilliard why despite his deep commitment to his own Muslim faith, he treasures certain passages from the Bible. He reflects on the values he feels Christianity and Islam share, and the challenges facing Muslims as they try to promote peace and cross-cultural understanding in the face of atrocities carried out in the name of Islam.

Mindfulness – a Buddhist meditation technique aiming to achieve deep awareness of the present moment – is booming. Jane Little talks to Sharon Salzberg, one of America’s leading Buddhist meditation teachers, about its benefits and pitfalls. She also hears from Arianna Huffington, a leading advocate of mindfulness, and Ron Purser, a critic of the way it has been harnessed by big corporations.

What do Muslims today make of the Muslim contribution to the First World War, and what can they take away from this historical legacy at a time when Muslim loyalty to Britain is often questioned?

Remona Aly discusses with an eye surgeon, a firefighter and a head chef how it is possible to keep the 19-hour Ramadan in jobs as challenging and responsible as theirs.

Arguably, if controversially, we have a God-shaped hole at the heart of our post-Christian world. What are the gains and the losses, and is the 'hole' increasingly being filled with consumerism,the social media, and 'self' as the new god? In this podcast Mark Dowd, well-known to TV and Radio audiences, chairs a discussion with those who have very different answers.

Nelufar Hedayat explores with four Sikh guests what led so many Sikhs from British India to the trenches and battlegrounds of World War I, to fight a war which was essentially not their own. She hears stories of individual soldiers and families and finds out what young Sikhs today make of this part of their martial legacy.

Researcher and lecturer Mohammed al-Hilli provides a Shia perspective on why Sunni and Shia Muslims went their separate ways early in Islamic history - and what distinguishes the two main branches of Islam today.

Nelufar Hedayat explores cupping, a traditional Islamic practice, and Ayurveda, a holistic approach to health with roots in Hinduism. Are they pure make-belief or a valuable addition to health care?

A bereaved mother, with the army commander who ordered her child’s killing during South Africa's apartheid years, share with reporter and presenter Mark Dowd their extraordinary journey towards mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams discusses his favourite Bible passages. Speaking to Alison Hilliard, he explains the verses which for him “light up the landscape”. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Remona Aly explores with Muslim, Jewish and Sikh guests whether having a name that gives away your religious identity can be a hindrance in the job market – and what you can do about it.

Genocide widow Lesley Bilinda on her journey through pain and betrayal to a more mature faith – and moments of resurrection joy.

Cambridge scholar Tim Winter, also known as Abdal Hakim Murad, provides a Sunni perspective on how the divide between Sunni and Shia Islam began, and what distinguishes the two main branches of Islam today.

Lord Leslie Griffiths discusses his journey from a childhood in extreme poverty in Wales to a life peerage and becoming one of Britain’s most senior religious figures. Speaking to Alison Hilliard, he uses Bible verses to re-connect with his memories – including his time as a novice missionary in Haiti, and why he became an “accidental Methodist”. Readings by David Suchet.

Rose Hudson-Wilkin discusses the Bible verses that have shaped her journey from Jamaica’s Montego Bay to her role as Speaker’s Chaplain at the House of Commons. Her selection reveals her passion on a breadth of political issues, including immigration. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Cherokee medicine man CJ Whitedeer provides a rare inside view of some of the astonishing myths, beliefs and practices of Native Americans. Jane Little has visited him in Arizona.

In 1984, Labour peer Lord Smith became the first MP to reveal he was gay. He was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Tony Blair’s first cabinet and is now a life peer. Speaking to Louisa Foxe, he reveals the Biblical verses that have informed his public and private life – including some stark choices often used to condemn gay people. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Andrew Weil is America’s best-known doctor, the pioneer of “integrative medicine “- an approach that goes far beyond high tech interventions and drugs. To his admirers, he has managed to combine costly conventional medicine with a focus on the mind and spirit; critics have called him a snake oil salesman. Jane Little has visited him in Arizona.

Muslim, Zoroastrian, and Humanist voices dispute the legacy of Religion: violence and war, links to power and privilege, oppression of women, or peace initiatives, changed lives and priorities, and concern for the poor and victimized.