Beyond Belief
Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world
Beyond Belief - 01/02/2010
Ernie Rea and guests examine the rise of new monastic communities and ask what characteristics they share with traditional orders.
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Beyond Belief - 01/03/2010
For St David's Day, Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether patron saints are still important cultural icons. What do their stories tell us about ourselves and our history?
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Beyond Belief - 01/06/2009
As British troops are withdrawn from Iraq, Ernie Rea discusses whether Just War Theory, expounded by St Augustine, is rendered null and void by modern forms of warfare.
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Beyond Belief - 02/02/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 02/03/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
Details
Beyond Belief - 02/06/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
Details
Beyond Belief - 03/03/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 03/08/2009
With protests continuing in Iran over the results of the presidential elections, Ernie Rea and guests examine the history and theology which underpin the Islamic republic.
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Beyond Belief - 04/02/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 04/08/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 05/01/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 05/02/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 05/03/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 06/07/2009
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the theological roots of the Orange Order, the largest Protestant organisation in Northern Ireland.
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Beyond Belief - 07/01/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 07/07/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 08/03/2010
Ernie Rea and guests examine how Biblical attitudes to childlessness persist in society today.
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Beyond Belief - 08/06/2009
Ernie Rea debates traditional African beliefs, the faith system of new South African president, Jacob Zuma. What are these beliefs and how do they fit with Islam and Christianity?
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Beyond Belief - 08/12/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 09/02/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
Details
Beyond Belief - 09/06/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
Details
Beyond Belief - 10/03/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 11/01/2010
Ernie Rea and his guests discuss forms of spiritual healing and the belief systems which underpin them.
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Beyond Belief - 11/02/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
Details
Beyond Belief - 11/08/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 12/01/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 12/02/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 13/07/2009
Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether adopting poverty as a spiritual practice could have advantages. Should wealth and possessions be given away in pursuit of higher goals?
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Beyond Belief - 14/01/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 14/07/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 15/03/2010
Ernie Rea and guests asks whether or not the use of apocalyptic language is helpful in the climate change debate, politics and media.
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Beyond Belief - 15/06/2009
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the theological issues raised by Alzheimer's disease. What is left once Alzheimer's has done its worst?
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Beyond Belief - 15/12/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 16/02/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 16/06/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 17/03/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 18/01/2010
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the religious traditions of the poorest state in the Arab world and ask why Jihadi networks are taking hold in Yemen.
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Beyond Belief - 18/02/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 18/08/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 19/01/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 19/02/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 20/07/2009
Ernie Rea and guests discusses whether the internet is a gift to humanity or a threat to civilized values. Is there a place for virtual churches or synagogues online?
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Beyond Belief - 21/01/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 21/04/2008
Ernie Rea presents a special edition of the programme, looking at the theological debates across faith traditions on whether it is ever right to create hybrid embryos.
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Beyond Belief - 21/07/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 22/02/2010
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the relationship between religion and the law.
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Beyond Belief - 22/03/2010
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the place of Islam in Europe. How do different religious traditions coexist alongside each other and what happens when tensions arise?
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Beyond Belief - 22/06/2009
To mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, Ernie Rea discusses why this major Protestant reformer altered the shape and changed the thinking of Western Europe.
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Beyond Belief - 22/12/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 23/02/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 23/06/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 24/03/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 24/08/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 25/01/2010
Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether self-inflicted pain is a valid or offensive form of spiritual discipline.
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Beyond Belief - 25/02/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 25/08/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 26/01/2009
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 26/02/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 28/01/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 28/07/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 28/12/2009
Ernie Rea and his guests discuss the popularity of angels in contemporary culture. What are they and why are so many people prepared to believe in angels but not in God?
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Beyond Belief - 29/06/2009
To mark the 200th edition of the programme, Ernie Rea and guests AC Grayling, Anthony Carroll and Mona Siddiqui discuss whether Britain is now a post-secular society.
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Beyond Belief - 29/12/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 30/06/2008
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - 31/12/2007
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - A secular meaning to life
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the basis of morality and meaning of life without reference to God.
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Beyond Belief - Abstinence
In the run up to Ramadan, Ernie Rea and his guests from three different faith backgrounds explore the benefits of abstinence for religious and non-religious purposes.
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Beyond Belief - Aid
Ernie Rea discusses the place of faith in international aid and development. To what extent are western aid agencies in danger of imposing secular values on developing countries?
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Beyond Belief - Ayodhya
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the complex dispute between Hindus and Muslims over the site of a former temple and mosque at Ayodhya in India.
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Beyond Belief - Cardinal Newman
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the life, beliefs and enduring legacy of Cardinal Newman, who will be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to England and Scotland.
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Beyond Belief - Egypt
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the religious history and make-up of Egypt: what is Coptic Christianity? How does it live alongside Islam? What is distinctive about Egyptian Islam?
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Beyond Belief - Episode 1
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 10
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 11
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 12
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 13
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 2
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 3
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 4
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 5
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 6
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 7
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 8
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Episode 9
Ernie Rea explores the place of faith in today's world, teasing out the hidden and often contradictory truths behind the experiences, values and traditions of our lives.
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Beyond Belief - Faith and disability
Ernie Rea is joined by a Christian, a Druid and a Hindu who discuss the understanding of disability from their faith perspective.
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Beyond Belief - God and Neuroscience
Ernie Rea and guests discuss what cognitive neuroscience is revealing about belief in God. What does research into our brain indicate about religious and spiritual experiences?
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Beyond Belief - History of the World Special
In a special programme linked to the BBC's A History of the World series, Ernie Rea and guests discuss the meaning of the flood tablet relating part of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
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Beyond Belief - Islam in America
Ernie Rea and his guests explore the history and place of Islam in America. When are the first Muslims thought to have arrived in the USA and how well integrated are they today?
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Beyond Belief - Islam & Music
Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether or not there is a ban on listening and playing music in Islam.
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Beyond Belief - Monogamy
Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether or not monogamy is the ideal for human relationships.
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Beyond Belief - Philanthropy
Ernie Rea and guests discuss whether faith inspires philanthropy and asks if greater personal wealth comes with greater responsibility to help others less fortunate.
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Beyond Belief - Religion in prison
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the statutory provision of religion in prison. What is the role of prison chaplains and are Muslims prisoners being radicalised in jail?
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Beyond Belief - Sanctuary
Ernie Rea and guests Jonathan Wittenberg, Rev Nicholas Sagovsky and Douglas Murray discuss the place of sanctuary in the modern world.
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Beyond Belief - Suicide
Ernie Rea chairs Radio 4's discussion programme in which guests from different faith perspectives debate the nature of suicide.
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Beyond Belief - The Charedi (ultra orthodox) Jewish communities
Ernie Rea and guests explore the beliefs and lifestyles of the Jewish Charedi (ultra orthodox) community - the fastest growing group within British Jewry.
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Beyond Belief - The origins of the universe
Ernie Rea and his guests explore the place of faith in our complex world and ask if an understanding of the Big Bang Theory tells us anything about the existence of God.
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Beyond Belief - The roots of English Catholicism
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the roots of modern English Catholicism and its distinctiveness, ahead of the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI.
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Beyond Belief - The Sacredness of Hair
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the sacredness of hair. Why do some faiths require hair to be covered, some demand it is never cut and some shave it as a means of suppressing the ego?
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Beyond Belief - The Supernatural
In the first of a new series, Ernie Rea and guests discuss the supernatural and ask whether there are always rational explanations for the apparently inexplicable.
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Beyond Belief - The three wise-men
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the story of the visit of the Magi or wise-men to the infant Jesus in the Nativity story.
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Beyond Belief - Translating sacred texts
Marking the 400th anniversary of the translation of the King James Bible, Ernie Rea and guests discuss how holy books should be translated and what is lost/gained in the process?
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Beyond Belief - Water
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the religious symbolism and rituals associated with water and asks how these can offer insights into the ecology and politics of water.
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Beyond Belief - Witchcraft
Ernie Rea and guests discuss the beliefs underpinning witchcraft. Do modern witches have anything in common with their forebears?
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Beyond Belief - Women in leadership
Exploring the place of faith in a complex world, Ernie Rea and a panel of guests discuss the role and place of women as religious leaders.
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