Is there a crisis of masculinity in the modern day? How are online influencers having an impact on young men? And how does faith play a part in this phenomenon?

Aleem Maqbool speaks with Josiah and Vanessa, a young couple who were both brought up in strict Christian households, about how Jordan Peterson's online content influenced their faith and their relationship with one another.

This sparks a discussion on masculinity in the modern world and how male influencers are having an impact in the lives of young men and women.

Joining Aleem are:

Gavin Peacock - associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church of Calgary, and the Director of International Outreach for The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Gavin was born in England, where he was a professional footballer for 18 years – scoring over 135 goals for Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Newcastle United amongst others in a career that spanned over 600 games.

Producer: Katharine Longworth

Artificial intelligence influences how we interact with everything – and religion is no exception.

AI technology is increasingly being incorporated into religious worship. Robot priests are delivering sermons, chatbots are reciting prayers, robot monks are spreading wisdom and robotic arms are carrying out ceremonies.

Aleem Maqbool speaks with robotics specialist, Gabriele Trovato, creator of SanTO, a robotic Catholic priest that delivers sermons, gives advice and joins worshippers in prayers.

This sparks a discussion on whether AI will transform how people experience religion and the potential outcomes involved.

Aleem is joined by:

Professor Subramanian Ramamoorthy - Chair of Robot Learning and Autonomy and Director of the Institute of Perception, Action and Behaviour in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner - Rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue and former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism

The Right Reverend Steven Croft - Bishop of Oxford, member of the House of Lords Select Committee on AI and a founding board member for the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation

Assistant Producer: Linda Walker

Producer: Alexa Good

On 6th May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey in an ancient ceremony that dates back a thousand years.

The Coronation service is, at its heart, a religious event in which King Charles swears an oath to uphold “the Protestant Reformed Religion Established by Law” and is anointed with holy oil by The Archbishop of Canterbury.

But is this religious service representative of modern Britain? What does it say about who we are today? And will it speak to people of all faiths and none?

Aleem Maqbool speaks to The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, about the meaning of the rituals and symbolism of this national event. His reflections lead to a discussion on the role of The Coronation in our modern world.

Aleem is joined by Professor Ian Bradley, author of God Save the King and Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews, Chief Executive of "Republic" Graham Smith and Sejal Sehmi, U.K. Editor for Brown Girl Magazine.

Producer: Katharine Longworth

Is Humanism a religion?

Aleem Maqbool speaks with former Blue Peter presenter and author, Janet Ellis, about the path that led her to adopt Humanism.

This sparks a discussion on the nature of Humanism and the various rituals and beliefs associated with it.

Joining Aleem for the discussion are:

Professor Alice Roberts - Vice President of Humanist UK and author of The Little Books of Humanism and The Little Book of Humanist Funerals

Theo Hobson - Theologian and author of God Created Humanism: the Christian Basis of Secular Values

Lola Tinubu - Co-founder of the Association of Black Humanists in London.

Producer: Katharine Longworth

It is estimated that 1 in 7 UK couples struggle to conceive but what impact do religious beliefs and cultural practices have on those who can not or choose not to have children.

Aleem Maqbool speaks to Lizzie Lowrie about her experience of baby loss and miscarriage and how her faith and church community brought both challenges and support.

Her story sparks a discussion on what it means to live without children in different belief systems and how the faith community responds. Aleem discusses different approaches to childlessness with:

Vik Singh, who, with his wife, Sarina, set up The Himmat Collective to support Punjabi Communities struggling with fertility issues, after their own difficulties starting a family, Dr Dawn Llewellyn, Associate Professor in Religion and Gender at the University of Chester and Farah Dualeh author of Taking Control: A Muslim Woman's Guide to Surviving Infertility.

Producer: Katharine Longworth

Whether to drugs, alcohol, smoking, pornography or something else entirely, addiction comes with a perceived stigma that can make seeking help difficult. In a religious context there are competing factors that can have an impact on recovery. Some faiths impose prohibitions on certain behaviours which can discourage people from admitting to a problem but there are also methods of helping those who are struggling that are based on religious teaching and practice.

Aleem Maqbool speaks with a vicar who has struggled with addiction about his journey sparking a discussion on the place of faith on the road to recovery.

Rabbi Jonathan Romain's son, Benedict, died tragically and suddenly in January. In the grieving process his faith, community and the rituals of Judaism have all played a part. He speaks to Aleem Maqbool about his experience and his response to bereavement.

His story leads to a panel discussion on the place of faith, religion and ritual within the grieving process, whether it is a help or a hindrance and whether belief in an afterlife makes it easier to deal with loss.

Maggie Doherty is the Director of the Centre for the Art of Dying Well at St Mary’s University. The Centre’s mission is to help people to live and die well and be supported in their grief. She is also a trustee of St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney and is a student in Digital Health.

Louise Blyth was 33 when her husband George died from bowel cancer, leaving her with one and three year old boys. At a time like that many lose their faith, but Louise found it, becoming a Christian. A year later she quit her dream job in operations for Mars to write a book “Hope is Coming” all about her experiences. Louise currently juggles being a Mum with trying to write her second book.

Jusna Begum supports bereaved Muslim families by washing the bodies of those they have lost; an essential part of the grieving process. She is also the director of a domestic violence charity in east London.

PRODUCER: KATHARINE LONGWORTH

"I didn't choose to forgive. It wasn't that I tried and tried to forgive. There was a moment when I thought, what on earth does this word 'forgiveness' even mean?"

Julie Nicholson's daughter, Jenny, was killed in the 7/7 London Bombings. Julie has not forgiven Jenny's killer which has led to conflict with what was expected of her in her role as a parish priest. She tells Aleem Maqbool about the difficulties in reconciling her faith's teachings on forgiveness with her Christian ministry and the response she received after being dubbed "the vicar who couldn't forgive".

Julie's story sparks a discussion on the place of forgiveness from different religious perspectives. Aleem is joined by New Testament scholar, Professor Anthony Bash, who has written extensively on the theology of forgiveness, Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, Senior Rabbi at Bushey United Synagogue and author Marian Partington.

They discuss what is meant by forgiveness in different religious contexts. Whether it is essential to forgive others for the hurt they have caused us or is there a limit. Can we forgive the unforgiveable?

Producer: Katharine Longworth with Vishva Semani

'My faith has been a constant in my life through good times and bad. There have been times where I've received death threats for being gay. But could I get married in a gurdwara? No.'

For Jasvir Singh CBE, barrister and community activist, his Sikh faith has always been the cornerstone of his life. But when he got married in 2022 to his partner Nick. he couldn't have a religious ceremony. Speaking openly for the first time, he tells Aleem Maqbool about his relationship with his faith and his sexuality.

Nine years after legislation was passed in England and Wales legalising same-sex marriage, for many religious institutions it's an intractable issue. Aleem is joined by a panel to discuss why many religions won't conduct a marriage ceremony for same-sex couples.

Gurmel Singh is the Secretary General of the Supreme Sikh Council in the UK, Helen Lamb is on the Evangelical Council in the Church of England and Bhavit Mehta is a producer of cultural events and a practicing Hindu, who has conducted a Hindu marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple.

Producer: Rebecca Maxted

Photo Credit: Lex Fleming Photography

"I couldn't pretend anymore that I felt the same way. I did doubt. It was as good as saying I'd lost my faith."

Aleem Maqbool meets Kat Wordsworth, who tells her story about doubt in her Christian beliefs and how it's affected her life and health. She now shares her experiences and thoughts on doubt on a social media account, with followers also contributing their experiences and she's about to publish a book called 'Let's Talk About Doubt'. Kat wants to hear doubt discussed more widely 'at the front of church'.

Alongside a panel who have asked their own questions about faith and belief Aleem asks 'are religions afraid of doubt?'. Professor Alister McGrath is a leading theologian, academic and historian who has written widely about doubt, American historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht is the author of 'Doubt: A History' and Dr Nafeez Ahmed, is an investigative journalist and academic who shares his personal journey with his Muslim faith.

Producer: Rebecca Maxted

Picture Credit: Tom Holmes