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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Beyond Belief

Religion & Ethics

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

Beyond Belief: Abstinence

09/08/2010

Abstinence

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Abstinence

Ernie Rea and his guests explore abstinence for religious and non-religious purposes.

In the run up to Ramadan, Ernie Rea and his guests from three different faith backgrounds explore the benefits of abstinence for religious and non-religious purposes.

Ernie Rea and his guests explore the place of faith in our complex world. 

Ernie is joined by three guests who discuss how their own religious tradition affects their values and outlook on the world, often revealing hidden and contradictory truths. 

In this edition, representatives of three different faiths discuss the purpose and effect of abstinence.  What benefit does abstaining from food or sex or pastimes have on the spirit, the soul or the waistline and is denying yourself always a good thing?  Ernie hears about some extreme forms of abstinence which are questioned and challenged by the guests, who include Raana Bokhari from the Religious Studies Department of the University of Lancaster, Peter Stanford, a Catholic writer and journalist and Dr Atul Shah, a member of the Jain community.  

Producer: Karen Maurice.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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