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The parables of Jesus were stories he told to a specific group of people for a specific reason.  In this new mini series, I unpack a couple of Jesus's parables starting with the parable of the sheep and the goats.  
What did it mean to the people listening? How does it influence Christians today? Why sheep and goats? How do you get to heaven? How does it challenge any human being today?
All this and more is discussed in this episode.
Particularly helpful for GCSE RE influence quesitons!

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Some of you might have heard of Fiona Spargo Mabbs - founder of the DSM Foundation. The Foundation was named after Daniel Spargo Mabbs, Fiona's youngest son who tragically lost his life after taking ecstasy. Fiona talks openly and authentically about her wrestles with her Christian faith after many trials she has faced in her life, but how in the end, it was her faith that helped her through.  This is a beautiful but heartbreaking story of the power of faith and how God uses broken people to do amazing things.
Here is a link to the  DSM Foundation where you can find details about the drug workshops for teachers, parents and children, links to the resources and books available and more about the foundation;
https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/

Fiona mentions two Bible verses;
Isaiah 54:8
John 15:16

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I have just finished a mini series on people who have lost their religion.  In the last episode, I spoke to someone who had lost and then found their faith again.  That is a nice segway into a new mini series called 'Finding My Religion' - looking at people who have chosen to follow a religion.  I start these conversations talking to Sir Giles Gough (not a real knight...yet) about his conversion to Christianity. From altar boy to altar call, chosing between Church and Star Trek voyager, a serious car accident, bullying.  We discuss salvation and what 'being a Christian' means, and the impact it makes on his life - particularly as a husband and father. Really helpful for GCSE RE. Giles explains why he is a diagonal car parked in a parallel world, particularly when it comes to the established Chuches teachings on homosexuality. He refers to a book called Undivided by Vicky Beeching. Here is a link to it;
https://vickybeeching.com/book/

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Now I know that I don't usually put out an episode during holidays but I really wanted to finish my Losing My Religion series without a break!
But this is an interesting one as this is someone who lost and then found their faith again, and this will lead nicely into a series on people who have found faith.
Warwickshire RE teacher, Leanne had a Christian upbringing and she just accepted it.  As a Brownie, she experienced hypocrisy and unfairness of these 'model' girls who bullied her because she didn't fit into the strict mould of what a girl needs to be. She therefore left Brownies and then the Church and became an agnostic.
How does she overcome her rationalism and take that leap of faith?  It is not what you expect as it is a story of pain and suffering.

Warning - this may be triggering if you have ever miscarried or had trouble conceiving.

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In this episode, Head of RE, NATRE exec Neil McKain talks about his gradual journey from Roman Catholicism to being the Vice Chair of Humanism UK, and why humanism appeals to him. We discuss unbaptised babies, the parable of the sower, original sin, resurrection, the patriarchy and the impact of a pluralistic Theology degree that offered alternatives to the narrow worldview he grew up with. We consider the sociology of religion and the three Bs - belief, behaviour and belonging and the impact of a Christian heritage on Humanism in the UK and the importance of repsecting the places our students are spiritually and philosophically. Then we look at the positive and negatives of a religious upbringing. We even mention Barbie and Aristotle, the Kindness Lab and our motivation of being moral and altruism, rationalism, romanticism and Euthanaisa. It's one of THOSE conversations.

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To continue with my exploration as to why people walk away from organised religion, I talk to Clare Campbell. Although now a humanist, Clare was bought up within the Church of England - not necessarily because she believed it but because that is what happened in those days. But why did that experience not resonate with her? Are some of the stories in the Bible really suitable for children, for example the flood or the crucifixion of Jesus?  Do these stories make sense? Is there othering and villifying of anyone who wasn't white,   heterosexual, protestant Christians? We discuss all this and more.

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Welcome to a new mini series within The RE Podcast called 'Losing my religion'.  In this mini season I interview people who have left organised religion.  We look at the reason behind this and what they have gained and lost from this decision.  It is a deeply personal subject matter so I start with my own journey from Christianity to agnostic  liberal humanism.  
I am looking to do a counter mini series on people who have found organised religion - a fascinating subject to consider the impact and importance of religion in the 21st century.  Please get in touch if you would like to be part of this

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To celebrate the third anniversary of the RE podcast TODAY 1st October 2023, here is the third and final best bits reel. This one is from season 9 where we have episodes on Orthodoxy, Empowering Voices, Homosexuality, Happy Valley, Baha’i, Humanism and Social Justice, P4C, GCSE RE success, Extended Writing In RE, Philosobrick and Being A Head Of RE. Such an amazing year with some many incredible guests.  Feel as priviledged as ever and hope these continue to be of value to you!

My thanks goes to;

• Jennifer Jenkins
• Gillian Georgio
• Leanne Bignell
• Leanne Taylor
• Kieron
• Robb Sutherland
• Debbie Tibbey
• James Croft
• Andrew Rogers
• Dawn Cox
• Matt Pitcher
• Joe Kinnaird
• Amanda Rogers
• Pete Bowdery
• Charlotte Newman

If you are able to support financially there are two ways you can do this;

1) A one of gift through buy me a coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheREPodcast

2) Regularly support me from as little as £1 a month
https://www.patreon.com/therepodcast

Support the show

Find out more;
Twitter: @TheREPodcast1
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Webiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

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To celebrate the third anniversary of the RE podcast on 1st October, here is the second of three best bits reels. This one is from season 8 where we have episodes on Episodes about Episodes about Science And Religion, Animal Welfare, Religious Art, Angels, Salvation, Poverty, Addiction And Spirituality, Holi, Cancer, Philosophy In Prisons and Forgiveness. Why not check out any you've missed!
My thanks to;

• Emily Downe
• Nick Spencer
• Theos Think Tank
• David Clough
• Dr. Siobhan Jolley
• Stephen Miller
• Sean Harris
• Louisa Harrop
• Dr Wendy Dossett
• Molly Acharya
• Ash Kundi
• Catherine Woodcock
• Andy West
• Marina Cantacucino

If you are able to support financially there are two ways you can do this;

1) A one of gift through buy me a coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheREPodcast

2) Regularly support me from as little as £1 a month
https://www.patreon.com/therepodcast

Support the show

Find out more;
Twitter: @TheREPodcast1
Insta: @TheREPodcast
Webiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!

To celebrate the third anniversary of the RE podcast on 1st October 2023, here is the first of three best bits reels. This one is from season 7 where we have episodes on Episodes about World views, the Religion Media Centre, Grief, Sacraments, Marriage, Restorative Justice, The Decolonisation Of Islam, Exorcisms, The Holy Land, The Historicity Of Jesus, Interfaith RE, Decolonising Buddhism, Hajj, and The Census! Check any out that you missed!

• My thanks to;
• Dr Kathryn Wright
• Dr Kate Christopher
• Michael Wakelin
• Shuaib Khan
• Giles Gough
• Rev. Steve Chalke
• Ash Kundi
• Shabnam Khaliq
• Tim
• The Skeptical Heathen
• Kevin Baldwin
• Nikki McGee
• Dr. David Lundie
• Dr. Wendy Dossett
• Shazia Nazlee Khan
• James D Holt

If you are able to support financially there are two ways you can do this;

1) A one of gift through buy me a coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheREPodcast

2) Regularly support me from as little as £1 a month
https://www.patreon.com/therepodcast

Support the show

Find out more;
Twitter: @TheREPodcast1
Insta: @TheREPodcast
Webiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk