Everyday Ethics

BBC Radio Ulster

3.9 (22)
Religion & Spirituality
Updated Biweekly

Provocative weekly debate on moral, religious and ethical issues.

4d ago

William Dalrymple, Pope Leo & AI, Carers

William Dalrymple has won many awards for his writings and is an expert on Indian history - a country he moved to from his native Scotland around 40 years ago. He is also the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary International Festival which is in Ireland this week and among other things, he spoke to Audrey about global empires, Middle East Christians and the links between India and Ireland Pope Leo's first Encyclical was published this week and, as expected, it concentrated on Artificial Intelligence. It is called Magnifica Humanitas - Magnificent Humanity. Audrey speaks to Elise Ann Allen from Crux Magazine about how it has been received in Rome and then we discuss the possibility of an Ethical framework around the technology with Dr Lyndon Drake from the Oxford Collaboration of AI and Theology and by Dr Kate Devlin- professor of Artificial Intelligence and Society at Kings College London. Finally to mark the end of BBC Carers Week we learn about the Shared Lives project which provides respite care. Audrey speaks to carer Lorraine Finn and Agnes Lunny from Positive Futures.

57 min
May 24

NEETS, Nuns, Hajj Pilgrimage

There are almost one million NEETS in the UK – that’s 16–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. But with budget cuts to youth services what chance do young people have of finding a job? Audrey talks to Ciara Fitzpatrick from UIster University and Sara Haller from Include Youth about a research project led by young experts who are themselves former NEETS. Two of the experts Allyshia Kali Campbell and Sé Gormley tell us their story and how Youth Services helped them on their journey. The annual Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca begins this week and Audrey talks to Fermanagh Imam Darragh Monahan about why it is important to his faith and what its like to join millions of other pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. And the untold story of Nuns during the troubles. Audrey talks to author Brigid Rafferty about her new book Catholic Sisters, Conflict and Peace in Northern Ireland 1968-2008.

57 min
May 17

Pope Leo’s First Year, Star Wars Spirituality

This week marks one year since Pope Leo’s installation. Officially known as the “Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome” the ceremony drew hundreds of thousands to Rome while millions watched on TV. One year on how is the Pope doing in the wake of high profile disagreements with the Trump Presidency. Audrey talks to papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, Catholic Theologian Dr Anna Rowlands and Elise Ann Allen, Senior Correspondent with Crux Magazine in Rome. Closer to home we hear from Father Martin Magill and Rev Steve Stockman who, through their work with the 4 Corners Festival, have met both Pope Francis and Pope Leo. This week the latest movie in the Star Wars Universe is released. Audrey talks to Rev Professor David Wilkinson, Astrophysicist, Methodist Minister and Star Wars fan about the religious imagery that runs through the movies.

57 min
May 10

Forgiveness, Transubstantiation, Lebanon

As a 10 year old coming home from school one day in Creggan in 1972, Richard Moore was shot by a soldier who fired a rubber bullet. He was blinded in one eye, and lost his other one. Years later he met that soldier and forgave him. Audrey talks to Richard along with poet and playwright Damien Gorman, who is the new head of peacebuilding with Richard’s charity Children in Crossfire. Transubstantiation has divided Christians for centuries but what is it and why do Protestants not believe it? Theologians Dr Tina Beattie and Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick give us a guide. And the untold story of Lebanon where 1.2 million people have been displaced by war in the Middle East. Audrey talks to Safa Hijazeen, the Middle East director for the development and relief organisation Tearfund.

57 min
Apr 26

Just War Theory, Sudan, Climate & Faith

Pope Leo’s repeated calls for peace has put the focus on the Catholic Church's Just War Theory- something which went on to form the basis of international law. But is that Theory withering today - both from the religious and political lexicons? Audrey speaks to Professor Tobias Winwright - considered the world's leading authority on Just War - he's currently in Maynooth university, and theologian Dr Elaine Storkey. It's described as the world's biggest humanitarian disaster - 14 million people forced from their homes, and yet the situation in Sudan barely makes the news. As the current conflict enters its 4th year Audrey talks to Birke Herzbruch from Trócaire, who has recently returned from Sudan. Professor Katharine HeyHoe is the Chief Scientist at Nature Conservancy. She will be in Belfast soon to give the annual McCosh Lecture at Queens University. Ahead of the visit she spoke to Audrey about Faith, climate change and why small actions matter. The new Michael Jackson movie has been panned by critics with accusations that it whitewashes the singers past and makes no mention of the child molestation charges he faced. He's not the first artist to be accused of heinous crimes but how are we supposed to view their work- whether it's music, poetry, books, art or films? Audrey speaks to Dr Leon Litvack, from the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen's University and by BBC Music Presenter Steven Rainey.

57 min
Apr 19

Trump v Pope Leo, Spirituality of Space, Climate Theology

President Trump doesn’t like Pope Leo, accusing him of being weak on crime and bad on foreign policy. The leader of the Catholic Church says he will keep speaking out for peace and the gospel. In a week where Trump also released a picture of himself in a Christ like pose healing the sick, we ask why he continues to be popular with US Christians? Audrey talks to Mark Finlay – a Presbyterian from East Belfast who now works in Washington with US politicians and leaders- about the differences in faith, language and politics on the other side of the pond. As the crew of Artemis II return safely to earth Audrey speaks to Rev Professor David Wilkinson from Durham University about why space travel has a profound spiritual affect on astronauts. This weekend the 1926 Census Records for the Irish Free State are released. Dr Marie Colman from Queens University looks at the first post -partition evidence of population changes and movement across the border. And what does a Theology of Climate Failure look like? Should we accept that we have failed already and start planning for a different future. Oxford Academic Bethany Sollereder thinks so.

57 min
Apr 5

Easter Hope

On this Easter Sunday morning we ask if there more darkness than light in our lives? More hopelessness than hope? Where can the light and hope be found in a world that's full of pain, conflict, poverty and hate? Journalist Liz Kennedy, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from Ulster University and by Dr Naomi Green, assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain join Audrey Carville to share their sources of hope. Fr Carlos Ferrero, parish priest in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. He tells us how this Easter will differ from the last two years. Later this morning, Pope Leo will deliver his first traditional Easter Urbi et Orbi address from the balcony in St Peter's Square in Rome. Much attention will be on it, particularly following his sermon on Palm Sunday when he spoke out strongly against those leaders who start wars. Journalist and long time observer of the Vatican, Austen Ivereigh, gives us his assessment of Pope Leo's comments. And as the NASA Artemis 2 spaceflight heads towards the far side of the moon, we hear from space communicator Dr Niamh Shaw who was present at the launch, and space journalist Kate Arkless Grey, about why they think space exploration matters when there are so many challenges on the ground on Earth.

57 min
Mar 29

International Aid Cuts, Freya India, Artemis II

This week the British government announced its Aid priorities which include reducing the amount spent on aid by £6 billion by 2027. Along with the cuts to USAID by the Trump Administration what will be the impact on programmes around the world. Audrey talks to Rosamond Bennett from Christian Aid Ireland, Sean Farrell from Trocaire and Dominic McSorley from Concern about making the case for aid in turbulent times. Author Freya India talks to Audrey about how the architecture of life has changed for young women and how many are struggling to cope in the online world. At the start of Holy week we hear from Jim Deeds and Liz Hughes about this years Darkness to Dawn meditations and other Easter coverage. And fly to the moon. Science Educator Niamh Shaw tells us why humans are returning to the moon for the first time in decades.

57 min

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3.9

out of 5

22 Ratings

Balance without Prejudice

09/27/2009

Ambiverbal

This is among my favorite ethics podcasts. Even though it focuses primarily on events in Northern Ireland, its approach allows the listeners to generalize the discussions to their own local situations. In particular I appreciate the non-deferential treatment given to both religion and secular philosophies. Neither deserves special treatment, but rather need to exist (and change) within the scrutiny of the public. Bravo!
Excellent!

08/26/2009

8theist

Thoughtful and insightful discussions of science and religion. Critical thought and reason are the real guidelines here, not dogma.