Researchers at the University of Birmingham have conducted a wide-ranging survey on perceptions of religion and science, which suggests that half the UK population believes that religion does more harm than good. 50% of respondents said religion 'has more negative societal consequences than positive', 30% said it 'has more positive societal consequences' and 20% didn’t know. We discuss the findings and weigh up the religious ‘balance sheet’ with Professor Alice Roberts, anatomist, broadcaster and Vice President of Humanists UK; and Dr Musharraf Hussain, Imam, scientist and charity worker in Nottingham.
Also in the programme:
This week saw the UK cinema release of ‘One Life’ – a film about the British man Nicholas Winton who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 mostly Jewish Czechoslovakian children from the Nazis. One of those children, Milena Grenfell-Baines, tells her story.
The Church of Scotland is on a five-year mission to close places of worship made unviable by a lack of ministers, falling income and dwindling congregations. Reporter Moira Hickey visits Birnie Kirk, near Elgin in Moray, which recently held its last service after nearly 900 uninterrupted years of Christian worship.
Producers: Dan Tierney and Catherine Murray Production co-ordinator: David Baguley Editor: Helen Grady
Ukrainian refugee visa delays; Eid prayers at Blackburn Rovers; On the frontline of the cost of living crisis.
French election; Ukrainian refugees; Abuse within the church
Sikh scripture rescue, Patriarch Kirill profile, Muslim footballers during Ramadan
Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan
'Good versus evil' in Ukraine, Taliban U-turn on girls' education, The Merchant of Venice
Religious images in wartime; Inviting a refugee into your home; Russian Orthodox Christians split over war
The Pope's envoy to Ukraine; The Point of Prayer; Shorter organists' battle for adjustable benches
Russian Orthodox response to Putin; Ukraine's Chief Rabbi in exile; The Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv
Special programme on the faith response to Ukraine
Media nuns, Empty churches, Jewish internment
President Putin and the Orthodox Church; Liberated Slaves; Religious Matchmakers
Licoricia Jewish statue unveiled; Hong Kong Christians and Forgiveness
Painting icons, Bloody Sunday, and religion in the Metaverse
Mary Beard's Forbidden Art; The Mormons and Tonga; Gordon Brown
Joe Biden's First Year Report; Chaplaincy; Where Do We Draw Our Moral Compass From?
Faith-inspired public art; 100th online church service; Pagan extremism
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's life and legacy, It's a Wonderful Life, Volunteering
Angels, Churches and Omicron and Dorothy Day
12/12/2021
The Pope in Greece; Columba - a post-Brexit saint; Religious Chart Toppers
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