BB: Gaza 5/2/2024

BBC bias: Despite its title (Religion and War). this programme is almost entirely about Israel’s present actions in Gaza.

BBC bias: BBC presenter Aleem Maqbool constructs a programme around the idea that Israel is following Jewish law rather than international law.

this afternoon (monday 5th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

religion and war (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) 

“The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu used biblical references in the early days of Israel’s armed response to the October 7th massacre, carried out by Hamas.

The covenant of Hamas repeatedly uses Islamist rhetoric in its declaration of purpose and intent.

But what does scripture and doctrine actually teach about resorting to armed conflict? When is the use of a religious justification legitimate?

Aleem Maqbool and guests explore the intersection of religion, politics and international law when it comes to justifying the use of violence or military action in conflict.”

including discussion with lawyers …

• rabbi yehoshua pfeffer 

• imam usama hasan 

• mary-ellen o’connell, author, self-defence against non-state actors

(if you missed it, available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001w0v1)

BB: Teaching RE

this afternoon (monday 29th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

what should we teach in r.e.? (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) 

“A shortage of experienced subject teachers and a very mixed picture in what children are taught has led to a ‘post-code lottery’ in the quality of RE teaching.

The subject has different names and different legal requirements depending on what nation your child goes to school in, but it’s compulsory to teach religious education to all children across the UK throughout their school life.

The differences are in what is taught, how it’s taught, and the quality of teaching.”

including discussion with …

• rabbi benjy rickman, head of religious education, king david high school in manchester

• fiona moss, natre

• stephen evans, national secular society

BB: Artificial meat

this afternoon (monday 15th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

stem cell steaks and the scriptures (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) 

“Is cultured or cultivated meat, grown from animal stem cells, kosher or halal?

Aleph Farms is one company in Israel that has sought religious approval for its steak, grown from the stem cells of a black angus cow.

They have also submitted an application to the Food Standards Authority, in the hopes of bringing their products to the UK.

A written ruling by the Chief Rabbi of Israel declared that their lab-grown meat could be considered Kosher, and not meat.”

including interview with …

• didier toubia, aleph farms

BB: Ashes to ashes

this afternoon (monday 11th), 4.34-4.37pm, 4.47-4.50pm, 4.54-4.55pm, and 4.56-4.57pm (repeated 11.34pm sunday), on bbc radio 4 

ashes to ashes (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) includes …

“Sally Berkovic, author and a volunteer for a Chevra Kadisha, a group that helps prepare Jewish bodies for funeral, joins Aleem to share her experiences.”

including contributions from …

• sally berkovic

BB: The God Desire

this afternoon (monday 14th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

the god desire (in the beyond belief series) (presented by alem maqbool) 

“Aleem Maqbool speaks to • David Baddiel about his book The God Desire.

Aleem is joined on stage at The Hay Festival by the panel to explore what it means to have a desire for God, where this desire might come from, and whether it’s driven by fear of death.”

including discussion with …

• fergus butler-gallie, touching cloth

• osman yousefzada, author, the go between

• carissa sharp, birmingham university

BB: Coronation

this afternoon (monday 1st), 4.49-4.51pm, on bbc radio 4 

the coronation (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) 

“This is Martin Stern, a Holocaust survivor, who has interacted with the King over many years, and met him on Holocaust Memorial Day this year.”

including interview with …

• holocaust survivor martin stern 

BB: Grief

this afternoon (monday 3rd), 4.30-4.32pm, 4.40-4.42pm, and 4.48-4.50pm, on bbc radio 4 

grief (in the beyond belief series) (presented by alem maqbool) includes … 

“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 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.”

including contributions from …

• rabbi jonathan romain 

• maggie doherty, director, centre for the art of dying well, st mary’s university

• louise blyth, author, hope is coming 

• jusna begum 

BB: Forgiveness

this afternoon (monday 13th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

unforgiveness (in the beyond belief series) (presented by alem maqbool) 

“What happens when we can’t, or won’t, forgive.”

including discussion with …

• rabbi elchonon feldman 

BB: Faith and the Holocaust

this afternoon (monday 23rd), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

faith and the holocaust (in the beyond belief series) (presented by aleem maqbool) 

“Lily Ebert was 20 when the Nazis deported her from her Hungarian hometown to Auschwitz. Remarkably she survived, and so did her faith.

Now a 99 year old grandmother, she tells Aleem Maqbool how the Judaism of her childhood, sustained her in the most horrific circumstances.

Her moving story sparks a discussion on the impact that the Holocaust had on Jewish belief and practice, and how the repercussions are manifest in the modern day.”

including discussion with …

• rabbi professor dan cohn-sherbok

• isabel wollaston, university of birmingham 

• rabbi jeremy lawrence 

BB: Modesty

yesterday afternoon (monday 15th), 4.30-5.00pm, on bbc radio 4 

modesty uncovered (in the beyond belief series) (presented by ernie rea) 

“Modest clothing is a multi-billion dollar trend, with designers seeking inspiration from cultures where dressing modestly is the norm.

There are millions of images tagged as #modestfashion on Instagram or Tik Tok, from prairie dresses to designer hijabs.

Ernie Rea explores the religious reasons from the Abrahamic faiths about why some cover up, and asks if our ideas of modesty are changing.”

including discussion with …

• lindsay simmonds, research fellow, london school of jewish studies

• shuruq naguib, lecturer in islamic studies, university of lancaster

• molly boot, a theologian training for ministry in the church of england