Main content

Judas, Druids, Child abuse and the church

Reports of anti-Semitism at UK universities. The Edinburgh tunnels that could be a Druid temple. Why does the church find it so difficult to deal with the issue of child abuse?

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has written to the government expressing his shock and concern about rising reports of anti-Semitism at UK universities. Bob Walker reports.

On Good Friday, The Reverend Kate Bottley re-opens the case against the Bible's greatest villain, Judas Iscariot in a 91热爆 1 documentary. She joins Edward Stourton and Peter Stanford author of a book on Judas to discuss the question: Can Judas be forgiven?

Are the abuse scandals that affect the church essentially the same as those that affect other institutions or is there something peculiar to church structures and culture that makes it difficult for the church to tackle the issue of child abuse? Rachel Mann, Justin Humphreys and Richard Scorer discuss.

For many years, the hand carved tunnels at Gilmerton Cove in Edinburgh have been a source of contention. Are they only a few hundred years old or do they date back to a time when they formed a sacred Druid temple used for human sacrifice? Bronwen Livingston reports.

The UK's Muslim Women's Council has announced it will be revealing its fundraising plans to build a women's mosque in Bradford. In Denmark, however, there is already a women's mosque. Edward Stourton talks to one of its founders and Imam Sherin Khankan.

Not content with 27 million followers on twitter, this weekend Pope Francis embraces another social media platform - Instagram. So why has social media proved to be so successful for the Pope and how does it benefit other religions? We hear the views of Catholic author Michael J. O'Loughlin, Muslim author Shelina Mohamed and Andy Robertson who writes on technology and spirituality.

Producer: Helen Lee
Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Available now

44 minutes

Chapters

  • Papal Nuncio

    Why is Pope Francis replacing the US papal nuncio?

    Duration: 04:04

  • Judas

    The Reverend Kate Bottley and Peter Stanford discuss forgiving Judas.

    Duration: 06:14

  • Druid Tunnels

    Are the hand carved tunnels at Gilmerton Cove in Edinburgh a sacred Druid temple?

    Duration: 04:37

  • Digital Religion

    Muslim and Christian authors talk about the benefits of social media to their religions.

    Duration: 04:32

  • Anti-Semitism

    Bob Walker takes a look at reports of anti-Semitism at British universities.

    Duration: 08:44

  • Danish Imam

    Danish imam Sherin Khankan talks about setting up a women鈥檚 mosque in Copenhagen

    Duration: 03:50

  • Child Abuse

    Why does the church find it so difficult to deal with the issue of sex abuse?

    Duration: 10:29

Broadcast

  • Sun 20 Mar 2016 07:10

Featured in...

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast