Beyond Belief

BBC Radio 4

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

  1. 26 maj

    The Gospel according to Bob

    The Gospel According to Dylan. Sixty years ago, Bob Dylan was on stage at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester when a fan shouted "Judas!" from the audience. Giles is joined by Michael Gray, and writer, poet, philosopher, priest, and blues-singer, Malcolm Guite to discuss the spiritual side of Bob Dylan. He also speaks to Gospel legend, Regina McCrary about touring with Dylan at the height of his Christian period. Producers: Katharine Longworth and Peter Everett

    25 min

  2. 5 maj

    Inked

    Giles Fraser gets under the skin of the religious significance of tattoos. We hear from Wassim Rassouk - the owner of the oldest tattoo business in the world and head of a family business going back 27 generations. His panel are Revd Wendy Dalrymple, Canon of Ripon Cathedral who has Christian symbols tattooed on the entire length of her arms, tattoo artist and designer, Gabriel Wolff who specialises in Hebrew Calligraphy, and Maori tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana.

    28 min

  3. 30 apr.

    War and Peace

    Giles Fraser and the panel discuss religious views on military action and how conflict is justified theologically across different faiths and contexts. They reflect on the personal story of Michael Elstub, and his journey from military service to becoming a Quaker and peace campaigner. Panel: Mandeep Kaur MBE - Sikh Chaplain to the Armed Forces Prof David Chandler - Professor of International Relations, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster Sheikh Dr Usama Hasan - Imam and counter-extremism practitioner Major General Timothy Cross CBE - retired British Army officer and military logistics expert and lay minister in the Church of England Producers: Katharine Longworth and Peter Everett

    28 min

  4. 2025-10-21

    Consciousness

    Giles Fraser explores Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s brain hemisphere theory, which argues that the left and right hemispheres of the brain perceive the world in radically different ways—and that modern society has become dangerously dominated by the left hemisphere’s analytical, fragmented, and controlling mode of thought. He describes how the two hemispheres of the brain perceive reality in fundamentally different ways. The left hemisphere, he argues, sees a fragmented, abstract world—focused on control and acquisition—while the right hemisphere perceives a flowing, interconnected reality, rich in context, meaning, and mystery. We unpack this theory with our panel of experts: Dr. Philip Goff, philosopher and professor at Durham University. Philip is known for his work in panpsychism, a philosophical view which proposes that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe—not just something that emerges from complex brains, but something that may be present even at the level of basic matter. His research focuses on the philosophy of mind and the nature of consciousness. Canon Dr. Joanna Collicutt, psychologist and theologian from the University of Oxford. Joanna brings a unique perspective that bridges psychology, spirituality, and pastoral care—exploring how religious experience shapes and is shaped by the human mind. And Professor Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist and a leading figure in the emerging field of neurotheology—which explores the relationship between brain function and religious or spiritual experience. Andrew is Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences and Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the United States. Also on the programme, The Sacred podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield, shares a powerful spiritual experience—one that defied easy explanation and left a lasting imprint on her spiritual life. Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4. Presenter: Giles Fraser Producer: Bara'atu Ibrahim Assistant Producer: Jay Behrouzi & Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton

    27 min

  5. 2025-10-21

    Prison Conversions

    In this episode of Beyond Belief, Giles Fraser explores the deeply personal and often transformative phenomenon of religious conversion in prison. From heroin addiction and violence to spiritual awakening, we hear the raw and powerful testimony of Tony Winter, whose journey to faith began behind bars & Maliki Clique aka Ali Abdul Raheem, a former US inmate whose conversion to Islam during incarceration reshaped his life and message to over 700,000 TikTok followers. Panellists Pastor Mick Fleming who leads the Church On The Street ministry based in Burnley, researcher Alex Beaumont from the University of Law, Manchester, psychotherapist Jackie Oglethorpe who's also Chair of Trustees at the Community Chaplaincy Association and Suleman Amad Project Manager Criminal Justice at Maslaha unpack the motivations behind prison conversions, discuss how prisoners find faith as a path to redemption and how to distinguish sincere transformation from strategic adaptation in the prison context? Presenter: Giles Fraser Producer: Bara’atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton

    27 min

  6. 2025-09-23

    Faith versus Fear

    Giles Fraser delves into the moral and theological tensions surrounding immigration, asking whether Christian faith leads to exclusion or radical inclusion. British politician and prominent catholic Ann Widdecombe opens with a candid reflection on the limits of national capacity and the need for fair rules, citing scripture to support her belief in prioritizing care for one’s family and community. The discussion broadens with insights from Journalist & Historian Tim Stanley, human rights advocate Yasmin Halima, and Theos researcher George Lapshynov, who presents data showing Christians are more hostile toward immigration than the general public. The panel explores the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger, the concept of “ordered love” from Saint Augustine, and the practical challenges of balancing compassion with security. Author and activist Onjali Raúf adds a deeply personal lens, highlighting the human cost of displacement and the rhetoric that dehumanizes refugees. Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4. Presenter: Giles Fraser Producer: Bara’atu Ibrahim Assistant Producer: Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton

    28 min

  7. 2025-04-22

    Cultural Religiosity

    Giles Fraser meets columnist Giles Coren, who was raised in the Jewish tradition, became an atheist and who now feels at home in a Christian church, to explore what it means to be culturally religious. Is cultural religiosity an oxymoron and totally untenable? Is it on the rise or has it always been there? Is it damaging to traditional religious practices? And, does it really matter? To examine these questions, Giles is joined by: Michael Rosen, author and poet, known for his work exploring humanism and atheism. He has co-written a book, "What is Humanism? How do you live without a god? And Other Big Questions for Kids," which looks at how humanists approach fundamental questions about morals, ethics, and the origins of life. Kate Smurthwaite, patron of the Humanist society and feminist, atheist comedian and activist. Internationally, she is probably best-known as the star of a viral video in which she claims that she doesn’t have a faith because she is not an idiot. Justin Brierley, writer, documentary maker and broadcaster behind the book and podcast series, 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God'. Over the course of his work Justin looks at why new atheism grew old and why secular thinkers are considering Christianity again. Producers: Alexa Good & Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton

    27 min

  8. 2025-04-15

    Claiming Christianity

    Giles Fraser meets the Revd Canon Fr Phil Harris, of the Anglican Church in North America, to discuss defending Britain’s Christian heritage. Christianity has been deployed as a tool by those who have been labelled as far-right by their opponents, or by people supporting far-right views. Is right-wing appropriation of the faith a problem that needs solving and what issues does this claim to Christianity pose? To explore Giles is joined by: Dr Maria Power, Senior Research Fellow in Human Dignity at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford and a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and Co editor of The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity. Dr. John Onwuchekwa, Sr. Director of Innovation at Redeemer City to City and former pastor of the Cornerstone Church in Atlanta which was part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Andrea Minichiello, Chief Executive of Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre. Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4.

    27 min
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Om

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

Information

  • Skapad av
    BBC Radio 4
  • Aktiva år
    2007 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    362
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Programmets webbplats
    Beyond Belief
  • Leverantör

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