We’re talking about the dead and the supernatural on the morning of Samhain, the Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Why are so many of us afraid to talk about death and dying?We’re speaking to Jennifer Hamilton who managed a community crematorium and accompanied the departed on their final journey, speaking to the person in the coffin as she got them ready to leave this world.Our panel will unpack how modern society treats death, the language we use (and don’t use).Does belief in the everlasting change how people view death and their legacy? And how do we speak about what should happen ‘in the event of my death’?Questions that will be tackled by funeral celebrant Rachel Smith along with theologians Dr Elaine Storkey and Dr Joy Allan.Finally, Audrey Carville has been talking to historian Dr Martha McGill who studies the supernatural and explains how religion has shaped views of fairies, ghosts and the devil.

We’re talking about the dead and the supernatural on the morning of Samhain, the Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Why are so many of us afraid to talk about death and dying? We’re speaking to Jennifer Hamilton who managed a community crematorium and accompanied the departed on their final journey, speaking to the person in the coffin as she got them ready to leave this world. Our panel will unpack how modern society treats death, the language we use (and don’t use). Does belief in the everlasting change how people view death and their legacy? And how do we speak about what should happen ‘in the event of my death’? Questions that will be tackled by funeral celebrant Rachel Smith along with theologians Dr Elaine Storkey and Dr Joy Allan. Finally, Audrey Carville has been talking to historian Dr Martha McGill who studies the supernatural and explains how religion has shaped views of fairies, ghosts and the devil.

Death and the Supernatural

This week is Book Week in Northern Ireland, and we begin the programme by looking at the bestselling and most distributed book the world has ever seen. According to the Guinness Book of Records the Bible has sold between 5 and 7 billion copies and has been translated into thousands of languages. But how do we read the Bible today. As the literal word of God, as fiction or as a myth where the story may not always be true it points to bigger truths about God and humanity. Audrey is joined by writer and teacher Andrew Cunning, theologian Tina Beattie and Anglican Priest Cameron Mack. We also speak to Ronnie Convery from the Archdiocese of Glasgow about plans to halve the number of parishes and close dozens of churches due to declining attendance and falling numbers of clergy. What is a Christian Nationalist? The thinktank Theos tried to answer that question by surveying the UK population and their report came out last week. Audrey talks to Andrew Flanagan the Director of Christians in Politics about how the church is engaging with Christian Nationalism. And finally as part of Book Week, we talk to historians Elaine Farrell and Louise McCormack about their book Bad Bridgets which is now being turned into a movie about Irish Women in America who ended up on the wrong side of the law.

This week is Book Week in Northern Ireland, and we begin the programme by looking at the bestselling and most distributed book the world has ever seen. According to the Guinness Book of Records the Bible has sold between 5 and 7 billion copies and has been translated into thousands of languages. But how do we read the Bible today. As the literal word of God, as fiction or as a myth where the story may not always be true it points to bigger truths about God and humanity. Audrey is joined by writer and teacher Andrew Cunning, theologian Tina Beattie and Anglican Priest Cameron Mack. We also speak to Ronnie Convery from the Archdiocese of Glasgow about plans to halve the number of parishes and close dozens of churches due to declining attendance and falling numbers of clergy. What is a Christian Nationalist? The thinktank Theos tried to answer that question by surveying the UK population and their report came out last week. Audrey talks to Andrew Flanagan the Director of Christians in Politics about how the church is engaging with Christian Nationalism. And finally as part of Book Week, we talk to historians Elaine Farrell and Louise McCormack about their book Bad Bridgets which is now being turned into a movie about Irish Women in America who ended up on the wrong side of the law.

The Bible: literal word of God, fact, or myth?

Betting on the NHS

Whether it's art, literature, film, theatre; a focus on Church, and the State of Culture

Should Churches Engage Or Disengage With Wider Culture?

On the opening week of the NI Science Festival, Audrey opens a this timely discussion

What Is The Place Of Science In Our World Today?

A question prompted by the Criminal Justice Inspector report this week, on local prisons.

Prisons - Are They For Punishment Or Rehabilitation?

A look at the impact of Bloody Sunday and the legacy, 50 years on.

Bloody Sunday - 50 Years On

Audrey explores this with Fr. Brian Darcy and Declan Coyle, friends for over fifty years.

Is There A Secret To A Deep And Meaningful Friendship?

Following the murder of Ashling Murphy this week, Audrey asks this important question.

When Will The Violence Against Women And Girls Stop?

Instead of striving to improve ourselves, should we accept ourselves the way we are?

Are We Hard Wired To Fail?

Would you live differently if it was proven either way that there is, or is not a God?

What If God Exists? What If God Doesn't Exist? Would You Change Your Life Either Way?

Is it ethical to add more people to the world's population?

In A Climate Crisis, Is It Selfish To Have Children?

Provocative weekly debate on moral, religious and ethical issues.

Religion & Spirituality

Provocative weekly debate on moral, religious and ethical issues.

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