Thoroughly Modern Mary - Mary in Religion

Rosie Goldsmith explores the religious power of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary is a global symbol of faith, hope and charity; of beauty and motherhood, but also of superstition and propaganda. She arouses both fervent devotion and deep scepticism. Millions still flock to worship her statues and shrines. Others see her as a tool for the suppression of women and of political nationalism. A pregnant Muslim student at Oxford enthuses about Mary's mother role and explains how she features in the Muslim faith. The actress Lisa Dwan describes how she continues to hold Mary close as part of her Irish Catholic upbringing despite being an agnostic. And she hears from a Professor at a University in Rome where there is an entire faculty devoted to the study of the Virgin Mary. Producer: Sarah Cuddon A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.