Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Sunday

Religion & Ethics

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

BBC Radio 4 FM

Sunday: Brighton's Advent calendar, Donald Trump, The pope's Year of Mercy

Brighton's Advent calendar, Iceland's new religion, The pope's Year of Mercy

13/12/2015

Brighton's Advent calendar, Donald Trump, The pope's Year of Mercy

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, Brighton's Advent calendar, Donald Trump, The pope's Year of Mercy

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme, presented by Edward Stourton.

Brighton's Advent calendar, Iceland's new religion, the pope's Year of Mercy. Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by Edward Stourton.

In the last two weeks over three thousand people in Iceland have joined a spiritual organization that follows Zuism, the religion of the ancient Sumerian people. It's become so popular there are now more Zuists than Muslims in the country. So is a crisis of faith pushing people towards this ancient form or worship or are there other motives?
Holger Páll Sæmundsson, a recent convert and one of the leading 'elders' talks to Edward.

The number of Muslims attacked each week in London has more than tripled since the terrorist attacks on Paris attacks last month. Trevor Barnes has been talking to the Metropolitan police about the rise in incidents, and to Muslims who have experienced them.

Pope Francis has launched the Year of Mercy by opening the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the first time it has been opened since the turn of the century.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols tells Sunday what the Year of Mercy might mean - for individual Catholics, the wider Church and the World.

There's a new trend in Advent calendars this year - no chocolate and cardboard, but large art installations in public places. Sunday reports from Brighton and Hove where it has been doing this for years with the ritual opening every night of one of its beach huts.

Producers: Rosie Dawson
Zaffar Iqbal

Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sunday

Brighton's Advent calendar, Donald Trump, The pope's Year of Mercy

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4