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Beyond Belief

BBC Radio 4
Spirituality
Christianity
Faith
Sikhism
Sacred Music
Assisted Dying
Neurodiversity
Judaism
Legislation
Religious Inclusivity
Compassion
Autism
ADHD
Qawwali
York Minster
Choral Music
Cultured Meat
Islam
Euthanasia
Personal Choice

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes359Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Beyond Belief

Latest Episodes

Giles Fraser explores Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s brain hemisphere theory, which argues that the left and right hemispheres of the brain perceive the world in radically different ways—and that modern society has become dangerously dominated by the left he... more

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Giles Fraser explores the deeply personal and often transformative phenomenon of religious conversion in prison. From heroin addiction and violence to spiritual awakening, we hear the raw and powerful testimony of To... more

Giles Fraser delves into the moral and theological tensions surrounding immigration, asking whether Christian faith leads to exclusion or radical inclusion. British politician and prominent catholic Ann Widdecombe opens with a candid reflection on th... more

Giles Fraser meets columnist Giles Coren, who was raised in the Jewish tradition, became an atheist and who now feels at home in a Christian church, to explore what it means to be culturally religious.

Is cultural religiosity an oxymoron and totally... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Philip Goff
Philosopher and professor at Durham University; known for his work on panpsychism
Durham University
Episode: Consciousness
Joanna Collicutt
Neuropsychologist and theologian from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Consciousness
Andrew Newberg
Neuroscientist and leading figure in neurotheology
Episode: Consciousness
Ann Widdecombe
British politician and Catholic
Episode: Faith versus Fear
Tim Stanley
Journalist and historian
Episode: Faith versus Fear
Yasmin Halima
Human rights activist and former executive director of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
Episode: Faith versus Fear
George Lapshynov
Researcher at the religious think tank Theos
Episode: Faith versus Fear
Michael Rosen
Author and poet, known for his work on humanism and atheism.
Episode: Cultural Religiosity
Kate Smurthwaite
Comedian and activist known for her advocacy of humanism and atheism.
Humanist Society
Episode: Cultural Religiosity

Host

Giles Fraser
Host of discussions on faith, spirituality, and their intersections with contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 283 ratings
  • Show some courage BBC

    Recently, I’ve discovered a paper (listed below), discrediting the 1988 C14 dating of the Shroud of Turin. Further examination of peer reviewed science papers, have illuminated the complete mystery surrounding this supposedly ‘fake’ ancient relic. Where is the media coverage of this astonishing reversal? C’mon BBC! This is supposed to be a spiritual programme, yet possibly the biggest mystery in the theological/spiritual realm is being ignored. As a suggestion, why don’t you interview filmmaker ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Capn_Chaos
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Delusional belief

    Has terrible consequences as people are willing to kill and die for essentially nothing.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Asciguy
    United States3 years ago
  • Absolutely love it!

    Can’t wait for more episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tynan_aw
    Australia4 years ago
  • Please can you correct your pronunciation☹️

    Hi,

    I really enjoy listening to your podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the show on Myanmar 🇲🇲, thank you for giving the Rohingya a voice! But can I make a few points: Muslim is not pronounced Muzlim, it is pronounced Musslim with an emphasis on the s sound. Also I find it disgusting that one of the guest saying “we didn’t even know there was Muslims in the country” or whatever. How can you not know that there is another ethnic group living in your country being raped, tortured, killed etc.

    Kind R... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naz11809
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Science vs Theology

    A good example why theologians shouldn’t be counted on to provide any reliable conclusions. The fact that faith seems based upon personal experience completely ignores the fact (as demonstrated by the scientific method) that human experience is often unreliable. So to make conclusions based upon experience is more irrational than hypothesizing some potential material “cause” that can be confirmed via a rigorous, peer reviewed and consensual agreement upon physical evidence. And the realization t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Puzzlexes
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics note occasional bias in favor of certain beliefs but recognize the overall quality of debate and conversation.
Some listeners express a desire for more diverse representation among the guests and panelists, particularly female voices.
Many value the inclusive dialogue around complex religious topics and find it informative and enriching.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its thought-provoking discussions and range of perspectives on spirituality.

Top Religion & Spirituality Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Consciousness
Q: Can you give us a bit of a handle on panpsychism and how it illuminates this conversation?
Panpsychism posits that consciousness is a fundamental feature of the universe, potentially integrating scientific and spiritual perspectives.
Consciousness
Q: When you hear those experiences described by Elizabeth, what does neuroscience add to your understanding?
Neuroscience provides insights into the variety of extraordinary experiences across faith traditions and helps differentiate them based on brain activation patterns.
Consciousness
Q: What does neuroscience bring to theology?
Neuroscience offers a new perspective on how we understand our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, enhancing our understanding of religious experiences.
Faith versus Fear
Q: Yasmin, do you think there's a conflict between welcoming strangers and protecting your community?
I don't see a conflict; charity and community responsibility coexist, rooted in both Christian and Islamic teachings.
Faith versus Fear
Q: Can you talk us through this Theos survey about Christian attitudes towards immigration?
The survey revealed that Christians were among the least welcoming groups toward immigrants, surprising us, especially as more active churchgoers were found to be more supportive of asylum seekers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Beyond Belief

What is Beyond Belief about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate relationship between faith and modern life, this series examines how various belief systems interact with contemporary societal issues. Each episode features discussions with a diverse panel of guests, including religious leaders, academics, and cultural commentators, who share their insights on topics like cultural religiosity, interfaith marriages, and the complexities of morality within different religious contexts. The content aims to challenge traditional views and stimulate thoughtful dialogue on the significance of faith in everyday experiences, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in the roles religion plays in shaping identity, community, and personal beliefs.

What sets it apart is the inclus... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Beyond Belief?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beyond Belief:

1. Moral Maze
2. Arts & Ideas
3. Start the Week
4. Crossing Continents
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of Beyond Belief are there?

Beyond Belief launched 18 years ago and published 359 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Beyond Belief?

Recent guests on Beyond Belief include:

1. Philip Goff
2. Joanna Collicutt
3. Andrew Newberg
4. Ann Widdecombe
5. Tim Stanley
6. Yasmin Halima
7. George Lapshynov
8. Michael Rosen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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