logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2015
27m 31s

Religious Literacy

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

In Britain we're sometimes nervous about talking about religion, lacking the tools to talk about it in a society of many faiths and none. But how can we begin to understand one another if we cannot talk about those things which form the bedrock of so many peoples' lives. Joining Ernie to discuss Religious Literacy are Dr James Conroy, Vice Principal of the University of Glasgow and lead author of the publication, "Does Religious Education Work?"; Dr Adam Dinham, Professor of Faith and Public Policy at Goldsmith's, University of London; and Dr Abby Day, Reader of Race, Faith and Culture at Goldsmiths, and author of "Believing and Belonging."

Producer: Rosie Dawson.

Up next
May 26
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 spirit ... Show More
25 m
May 5
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 h ... Show More
27m 40s
Apr 30
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 campa ... Show More
27m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
Introduction & What is Religion?
tail spinning
25m 8s
Jun 2022
Belief, Habit & Religion
For evolutionary scientists studying religion, it's more fruitful to examine what people do in religious contexts, rather than listen to what they say they believe. There's a new recognition that as well as looking at behaviour, people studying religion must take account of the r ... Show More
44m 44s
Jan 2022
Do Religions Even Exist?
tail spinning
14m 42s
Apr 2003
Sharon Salzberg, Lawrence Kushner, Anne Lamott, and Omid Safi — The Meaning of Faith
In our time, some associate the word “religion” with rigid dogma and the excesses of institutions. The word “spirituality” on the other hand can seem to have little substance or form. The word “faith” can appear as a compromise of sorts, pointing to the content of religious tradi ... Show More
52 m
Nov 2022
WOF 359: Religion, Politics, and Intolerance
<p>Friends, what is the role of religion in civic life? Must we bracket religion from the political sphere? Those are pressing questions as we near the midterm elections. On today's "Word on Fire Show," Brandon Vogt and I discuss the relationship between politics and religion and ... Show More
28m 8s
Nov 2018
Talkers, Thinkers, Doers
A chat about spirituality, religion, and philosophy.  
40m 51s
Nov 2025
The era of armchair experts
In this lecture, we address the rise of unqualified “armchair experts” and emphasise the importance of seeking reliable knowledge, verifying information, and avoiding the harm caused by speaking or acting without proper understanding, especially in matters of religion. 
1 h
Jun 2024
Religion as Communities of Practice
<p>Simon, Tim, Matt, Jim, and Paul discuss how narrative theology or what is known as the Yale School or postliberalism defines Christianity as a community of practice, which can serve as entry into understanding religion in general. Following the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein, nar ... Show More
1 h