Things Unseen

Arguably, if controversially, we have a God-shaped hole at the heart of our post-Christian world. What are the gains and the losses, and is the 'hole' increasingly being filled with consumerism,the social media, and 'self' as the new god? In this podcast Mark Dowd, well-known to TV and Radio audiences, chairs a discussion with those who have very different answers.

Nelufar Hedayat explores with four Sikh guests what led so many Sikhs from British India to the trenches and battlegrounds of World War I, to fight a war which was essentially not their own. She hears stories of individual soldiers and families and finds out what young Sikhs today make of this part of their martial legacy.

Researcher and lecturer Mohammed al-Hilli provides a Shia perspective on why Sunni and Shia Muslims went their separate ways early in Islamic history - and what distinguishes the two main branches of Islam today.

Nelufar Hedayat explores cupping, a traditional Islamic practice, and Ayurveda, a holistic approach to health with roots in Hinduism. Are they pure make-belief or a valuable addition to health care?

A bereaved mother, with the army commander who ordered her child’s killing during South Africa's apartheid years, share with reporter and presenter Mark Dowd their extraordinary journey towards mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams discusses his favourite Bible passages. Speaking to Alison Hilliard, he explains the verses which for him “light up the landscape”. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Remona Aly explores with Muslim, Jewish and Sikh guests whether having a name that gives away your religious identity can be a hindrance in the job market – and what you can do about it.

Genocide widow Lesley Bilinda on her journey through pain and betrayal to a more mature faith – and moments of resurrection joy.

Cambridge scholar Tim Winter, also known as Abdal Hakim Murad, provides a Sunni perspective on how the divide between Sunni and Shia Islam began, and what distinguishes the two main branches of Islam today.

Lord Leslie Griffiths discusses his journey from a childhood in extreme poverty in Wales to a life peerage and becoming one of Britain’s most senior religious figures. Speaking to Alison Hilliard, he uses Bible verses to re-connect with his memories – including his time as a novice missionary in Haiti, and why he became an “accidental Methodist”. Readings by David Suchet.

Rose Hudson-Wilkin discusses the Bible verses that have shaped her journey from Jamaica’s Montego Bay to her role as Speaker’s Chaplain at the House of Commons. Her selection reveals her passion on a breadth of political issues, including immigration. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Cherokee medicine man CJ Whitedeer provides a rare inside view of some of the astonishing myths, beliefs and practices of Native Americans. Jane Little has visited him in Arizona.

In 1984, Labour peer Lord Smith became the first MP to reveal he was gay. He was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Tony Blair’s first cabinet and is now a life peer. Speaking to Louisa Foxe, he reveals the Biblical verses that have informed his public and private life – including some stark choices often used to condemn gay people. Bible readings by David Suchet.

Andrew Weil is America’s best-known doctor, the pioneer of “integrative medicine “- an approach that goes far beyond high tech interventions and drugs. To his admirers, he has managed to combine costly conventional medicine with a focus on the mind and spirit; critics have called him a snake oil salesman. Jane Little has visited him in Arizona.

Muslim, Zoroastrian, and Humanist voices dispute the legacy of Religion: violence and war, links to power and privilege, oppression of women, or peace initiatives, changed lives and priorities, and concern for the poor and victimized.

Describing himself as “not particularly religious”, Tony Jordan, one of Britain’s top scriptwriters and former EastEnders writer, was behind the BBC’s critically acclaimed The Nativity. The drama was a tender portrayal of the people featured in Christmas story. In this podcast he talks about the Biblical passages that have inspired his work. Readings by David Suchet.

Cambridge Islam scholar Tim Winter, aka Abdal Hakim Murad, talks to Vicky Beeching about how Jesus is seen in Islam – and what role he played in his own decision to become a Muslim.

A shaman undergoing a ritual burial and a Catholic attending mass seem poles apart – yet both rituals answer similar needs. Jane Little explores what makes rituals so compelling and meaningful. Guests: shamanic practitioner Nicholas Taylor, traditional Catholic Peter Williams, and clinical psychologist Isabel Clarke.

Growing up, Nicky Gumbel considered Christianity “intellectually unsustainable”, yet today he is best known as the modern-day architect of the evangelical Alpha Course. In this podcast, he uses Bible passages that have inspired him to reveal little-known parts of his biography to Louisa Foxe – among them the trauma of losing many of his Jewish father’s family in the Holocaust. Readings by David Su...

Open any newspaper, watch any TV channel, and stories of War and Conflict tumble from page and screen... But can we trust what we read and see? Even when journalists work hard to separate facts from propaganda, how often do they report ‘selected’ or ‘chosen’ facts? Can they be accused of ‘selling’ War, albeit unwittingly? Some argue that what is needed is a different form of journalism: in this ca...

Belief in post-religious Britain: more than half of us believe spiritual forces have influence on earth. Read the report here - bit.ly/19Tn4pg

On 17th October 2013, Things Unseen was launched at Southwark Cathedral with this panel discussion looking at specially commissioned research which revealed a strong undercurrent of spiritual belief in Britain. Chair: Jane Little.

Vicky Beeching talks to Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish New Testament scholar who – despite teaching about Jesus in the Bible Belt – has never felt tempted to embrace Christianity.

Could it be true that the dying see long-deceased “visitors” who come to take them to the next world? One neuropsychiatrist says yes. Alison Hilliard presents.

Is there such a thing as the soul? And how do Near Death Experiences tally with the way Hindus and Christians understand the soul? Alison Hilliard and guests explore.