Things Unseen

Describing himself as “not particularly religious”, Tony Jordan, one of Britain’s top scriptwriters and former EastEnders writer, was behind the BBC’s critically acclaimed The Nativity. The drama was a tender portrayal of the people featured in Christmas story. In this podcast he talks about the Biblical passages that have inspired his work. Readings by David Suchet.

Cambridge Islam scholar Tim Winter, aka Abdal Hakim Murad, talks to Vicky Beeching about how Jesus is seen in Islam – and what role he played in his own decision to become a Muslim.

A shaman undergoing a ritual burial and a Catholic attending mass seem poles apart – yet both rituals answer similar needs. Jane Little explores what makes rituals so compelling and meaningful. Guests: shamanic practitioner Nicholas Taylor, traditional Catholic Peter Williams, and clinical psychologist Isabel Clarke.

Growing up, Nicky Gumbel considered Christianity “intellectually unsustainable”, yet today he is best known as the modern-day architect of the evangelical Alpha Course. In this podcast, he uses Bible passages that have inspired him to reveal little-known parts of his biography to Louisa Foxe – among them the trauma of losing many of his Jewish father’s family in the Holocaust. Readings by David Suchet.

Open any newspaper, watch any TV channel, and stories of War and Conflict tumble from page and screen... But can we trust what we read and see? Even when journalists work hard to separate facts from propaganda, how often do they report ‘selected’ or ‘chosen’ facts? Can they be accused of ‘selling’ War, albeit unwittingly? Some argue that what is needed is a different form of journalism: in this case, Peace Journalism. Edward Canfor-Dumas invites Professor Jake Lynch, journalist Myriam Francois-Cerrah, and journalist and broadcaster Peter Hitchens to make their case for Peace Journalism.

Belief in post-religious Britain: more than half of us believe spiritual forces have influence on earth. Read the report here - bit.ly/19Tn4pg

On 17th October 2013, Things Unseen was launched at Southwark Cathedral with this panel discussion looking at specially commissioned research which revealed a strong undercurrent of spiritual belief in Britain. Chair: Jane Little.

Vicky Beeching talks to Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish New Testament scholar who – despite teaching about Jesus in the Bible Belt – has never felt tempted to embrace Christianity.

Could it be true that the dying see long-deceased “visitors” who come to take them to the next world? One neuropsychiatrist says yes. Alison Hilliard presents.

Is there such a thing as the soul? And how do Near Death Experiences tally with the way Hindus and Christians understand the soul? Alison Hilliard and guests explore.

Kevin Gosden tells Mark Dowd how, after his teenage son Andrew went missing six years ago, his Christian faith was challenged to the core.

Is it time to take a break from discussing women’s and gay rights in the Church of England and focus on the neediest in society? Roger Bolton throws out the challenge.

Politicians, journalists to blame - and Paralympics ‘won’t make any long-term difference’. Dougal Patmore reports. Image courtesy of dominikgolenia via flickr.com ©©

‘We admire the Paralympians because they chose not to sulk or retreat into self-pity, or to use their problem as an excuse.’ Image courtesy of nickmilleruk via flickr.com ©©

No, says Peter Hitchens. It’s a ‘sentimental belief’ that’s come back to haunt us... Image courtesy of Photodeus via flickr.com ©©

Evidence piles up that cannabis harms us. Yet our laws have never been softer. Are we, asks Peter Hitchens, soft in the head? Image courtesy of N.ico via flickr.com ©©

Politicians hope for a boost to the economy. Athletes look to a generation inspired to take up sport. Others see a resurgence of patriotism, and a greater confidence in who they are and in what they value. Nonsense, says Peter Hitchens, of the Mail on Sunday. The only legacy is ‘increased debt’. We have been ‘surprised by joy’, says Catherine Pepinster, of The Tablet, and ‘the feeling lingers’. They debate the London Olympics’ legacy - real or imagined? – with Emma Barnett. Image courtesy of somewhereto_ via flickr.com ©©

They choose, target, groom, and harm children. So punish them as criminals. Don’t label them weak and sick men who cannot help themselves. Image courtesy of Nick Atkins Photography via flickr.com ©©

A success at the London Olympics, so let’s cash in and take them off the dole and employ them. Image courtesy of Andy Wilkes via flickr.com ©©

‘It’s public schoolboys and girls wot won them. Social mobility hasn’t just seized up, it’s gone into reverse; state schools’ lack of ambition betrays our children’ Image courtesy of ahisgett via flickr.com ©©