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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Exploring music, history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.

In-depth documentaries which explore music, history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.

Sunday Feature: Faith Without God

Sunday Feature: Faith Without God: Episode 2

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Episode 2

Faith Without God

BBC Radio 3 - Sunday Feature, Faith Without God, Episode 2

Michael Goldfarb explains how Buddhism and Confucianism became religions.

Michael Goldfarb goes on pilgrimage in India and China to tell the story of how Buddhism and Confucianism, two faiths without God, became religions.

In this two-part feature, Michael Goldfarb investigates one of history's most remarkable coincidences: the first Greek philosophers, the Buddha and Confucius all lived at precisely the same time, the 6th century BCE. What they had in common was they were the first to create thought systems in which Man, not the Gods, was the measure of all things. It was arguably civilization's greatest leap forward. Yet, despite their teachings these thought systems became faiths anyway.

Why this coincidence? Were these thinkers in touch with one another? How did these teachings become religions?

In part two Michael Goldfarb goes on pilgrimage in India and China to tell the story of how Buddhism and Confucianism, two faiths without God, became religions. He talks to scholars and monks about the human need for faith and how even rationalism is becoming a kind of religion in the West.

First broadcast in February 2014.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Michael Goldfarb on the first thought systems in which Man was the measure of all things

Michael Goldfarb investigates the first thought systems in which Man, not the Gods, was the measure of all things

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