Beyond Belief - Sanctuary

In Beyond Belief, Ernie Rea and his guests explore the place of faith in our complex world. Ernie is joined by three guests who discuss how their own religious tradition affects their values and outlook on the world, often revealing hidden and contradictory truths. In this programme, Ernie and his guests discuss the place of sanctuary in the modern world. The guests discuss why Britain has a long and honourable but not unblemished record of offering sanctuary to those with a well founded fear of persecution, why churches were often seen as a place of sanctuary and how modern notions of sanctuary, known as seeking asylum, have become complicated by issues of economic migration. Joining Ernie to discuss the right to sanctuary are Jonathan Wittenberg, Rabbi of the New North London Synagogue, the Rev Nicholas Sagovsky, Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey and Douglas Murray, Director of the Centre for Social Cohesion. The programme also hears from Alain, who sought sanctuary in the UK after fleeing from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Producer: Karen Maurice.