The RE Podcast

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Lat Blaylock became an RE teacher over 40 years ago.  As he takes semi-retirement we look back over his extensive career and celebrate this wonderful subject. I ask him why he committed himself entirely to the teaching of RE. Why he loves RE so much and why he thinks it is such an important subject. We look at how it always seems to be in jeopardy but has always stayed above the water! He discusses the projects he been most proud to be part of and offers some words of wisdom about how to teach RE effectively.
If you are feeling in a slump, this chat will give you the lift you need.  It will reinspire and reinvigorate you.

Here are links to The Spirited Arts project, the Why God, Why? by Bethany Lunney film that features in the episode as well as the Anti-racism resources;

https://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/spirited-arts/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRgdP5-oERs

https://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/anti-racist-re/

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This week I interview Mathew Guest about Quakerism.  If you have the February blues then this episode will really cheer you up.  Mathew enightens us about the history of the Quakers but also about the four tenants;

• Equality
• Peace
• Simplicity
• Truth

We also discuss their inspiration behind their commitment to pacifism and non-violent conflict resolution. We consider the importance and need for silence with others in the modern world, as well as the non-judgemental, inclusive nature of Quaker meetings.  Although, if you want something done quickly, don't ask a quaker, but if you want something done well - you can learn a lot from their egalitaian methods!
I ask Mathew how to teach Quaker in the classroom as well as why he's a quaker.  It is an enightening and uplifting chat and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The website he recommends is;
www.quaker.org.uk/resources

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A fantastic chat with Molly Acharya about the Vedas - a set of four holy texts in Hindu Dharma.

• The Rig Veda
• The Yajur Veda
• The Sama Veda
• The Atharva Veda

These books are full of such wisdom that weaves so much into the modern day life of humans, from architecture to feng shui to yoga to diet.
It tells great stories too!
We delve into the the history and structure of these sacred texts, and even discuss how to feng shui your classrooms!
Molly also shares with us her favourite section of the Vedas - The Gayatri Mantra which she says is the best one to teach your students!

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Hands up if you knew that there was an RE Quality Mark? Who thinks their department deserves one? Who would like to know how to get one? All these questions and more are asked in my chat with Indy Nottage, Linda Rudge and Jake Womak.  Indy is from the RE coucil of England and Wales that run the REQM and Linda is project manager for the REQM.  Jake is a Head of Department who has just been awareded the Gold mark so gives us an insight into the process from a schools point of view.  It's a beautiful chat with people who are passionate about good quality RE, but is also really infomative and practical about the process of recognising the fantastic work being done in RE across England and Wales.

https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/our-work/reqm/about/

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In my final episode in my mini series on The Sermon On The Mount, I dive into the rest of the Sermon On The Mount.  It meanders around a variety of subjects;
Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Turning the other cheek
Love for enemies
Fasting
Giving to the needy
Treasures in heaven,
Not worrying
Judging others
Turning the other cheek
Asking God for things
False Prophets and disciples

I explore what it might have meant for those listening to it at the time and what it could mean for humans today!

The Bible read again by my Da, Tony Smith

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To start 2024 I am doing a little mini series on the Sermon On The Mount.  This was the first piece of teaching of Jesus recorded in the gospels.  Jesus has been baptised, he's fasted and prayed and been tempted and now he begins his ministry. 
In the last episode I explored the Beatitudes. In this episode I delve into the section on prayer, including the Lord's Prayer. What does Jesus teach about HOW TO pray and what does this mean for Christians today.
The Lord's prayer is also an example of liturgical worship and can be used as a source of authority at GCSE. It includes sections on God, poverty, forgiveness and temptation.
In the next episode I will look at the rest of the Sermon! 
Featuing the voice of my Da, Tony Smith!

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So excited to be starting a new year with Season 11 of The RE Podcast.  In the next few episodes I am going to delve into the Sermon On The Mount.  This week I look at the Beatitudes, and next week I will look at prayer - particularly the Lords Prayer and the week after I will tackle the rest.
I have got my lovely Da to read the verses from the Bible so you get a break from my voice so 'Thanks Da!'
The Beatitudes are a list of people who don't always get it their way on earth, but will be rewarded in heaven!  It is as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago.
A warning.  Some of this content may be controversial to some of you.  This is my interpretation so I may be totally off base here.   Many of Jesus' teachings were controversial, however, that does not mean I am always right!  Please get in touch if you want to discuss anything I have said further.
Link to the article referred to in the episode,

https://www.amnesty.org.au/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-look-into-decades-of-oppression-report/

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To celebrate the winter solstice 21st December 2023, I have had a lovely chat with Tara and Linda.  We discuss all things Pagan! How has ininfluenced British culture today, where it came from, the relationship between Paganisms and Christianity - focussing on the upcoming festival of Christmas, as well as misconceptions about Paganisms.  Look out for the real reason Santa is dressed in red! A delightful and beautiful chat about a belief in positivity, environment and kindness!

I am using the word 'Paganisms' as there are many traditions which fall under the umbrella term of 'pagan' e.g. Wicca (as you will see in this episode).

Seasons Greetings everyone and Happy New Year 2024!  See you then for Season 11 where we will find out more about the Sermon on The Mount, REQM and the work of NATRE!

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In the last in my series on the parables of Jesus, James Holt joins us to discuss 'The Parable Of The Prodigal Son'. We discuss why he loves the parable so much, the significance at the time and the various interpretations of what it means today. We also consider how you can use it in the classroom.
We don't actually discuss what the word 'prodigal' means , which we probably should have done.
Prodigal means someone who spends money or uses resources freely and recklessly; who is wastefully extravagant! You'll see why!
The story is read by one of my year 11 students, Scarlett (she slayed it!)
And the book that James refers to is 'Short Stories By Jesus' by Amy-Jill Levine;

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31001110291&ref_=ps_ms_391307717&cm_mmc=msn-_-uk_shopp_textboook-_-naa-_-naa&msclkid=cfe3eccea1cb1cd1725289bb3a15a691

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This is my favourte of Jesus' parables. Quite simply this is because it makes someone in authority look stupid, and it elevates the little guy - the outcasts.  But what does the Parable of the Good Samaritan mean? Who are the Samaritans? What would this parable have meant to those listening?  What does it mean to love our neighbour as ourselves and how can we use this parable in the the classroom?  

This is a story about the hypocricy of religious leaders, and Jesus' expert way of highlighting this, while all the time keeping to the law of Moses. It is about how religious leaders use the law to justify their own actions and condemn those of people they don't like.  It is as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago because human nature doesn't change! 

It is a lesson to use all to love others but also to love ourselves!

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