Tapestry from CBC Radio

Tapestry is not podcasting our summer repeats, as they've already come down the pipe to you. If you missed something, all audio is available at our site: cbc.ca/tapestry . Back September 9th. Happy summer.

Losing faith in God is common, but what happens when your paycheque depends on your belief? A study from Tufts University tells the story of several pastors who no longer believe. Some are still working in churches, preaching sermons, and counseling the faithful. They say they do not have the skills for a new job and, in some cases, are unable to confide even in their families for fear of what their newfound disbelief may do.

Anthony Lawlor is an architect who has made it his job to find the sacred in the ordinary. He and Mary talk about how the divine is not limited to churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. Lawlor says you can find it everywhere, if you just look - even in the lineup at the grocery store!

We hear from two women who didn’t follow the script life had written for them. Today Jeanette Winterson is a famous British writer. We find out what happened when as a teenager, she had to tell her strict Pentecostal parents she had fallen in love with a girl. Also, Rebecca Hass explains why as limelight-loving mezzo soprano, she has decided to flee to the Mojave desert for some alone time.

This week on Tapestry, why dialing down self-righteousness is so important – and so hard. Mary Hynes talks to psychologist Jonathan Haidt and to writer Philip Yancey.

Happiness. Philosophers from the time of Aristotle have called it the ultimate purpose of life. And why not? Scientific studies proclaim that happy people enjoy greater intimacy, better health and even more creativity. So bring it on! Everyone wants happiness! Everyone except documentary maker, Frank Faulk.

Mary talks to Kevin Cox, a journalist who was frustrated by his inability to comfort people in times of great sorrow. After a stellar career in journalism, Cox has decided to become a minister. Then, Alan Lightman, author of Einstein’s Dreams, brings us his vision of God as imagined in his new novel, Mr g. So how does an agnostic theoretical physicist picture God? Probably not as you’d expect!

To what extent can we control destiny? We meet five people who are struggling to take control of the fates they face. From life and death medical decisions to cheesemaking, they’re trying to figure out when it’s time to fight and when it’s time to surrender.

A look at how doubt and skepticism can be essential ingredients to faith. First, we hear from Rabbi Rami Shapiro - a rabbi who says he isn't religious. Instead, he describes himself as a curious, holy rascal in search of sacred cows to slaughter. And a conversation with Michael Shermer, the founder of Skeptic Magazine.

Mary Hynes explores the ideas of forgiveness, confession, regret and apologies. She's in conversation with Dave Bry, who has been writing public apologies for years to those whom he has somehow wronged. The atonement starts from seemingly insignificant events like throwing beer cans on Jon Bon Jovi’s lawn in high school! We also hear the moving story of how one father struggled for eight years over whether he should forgive the drunk driver who killed his daughter.