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A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

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Sunday: Empire of the Sikhs, Pakistan elections, Consecrated virgins

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22/07/2018

Empire of the Sikhs, Pakistan elections, Consecrated virgins

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, Empire of the Sikhs, Pakistan elections, Consecrated virgins

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

Religious news and current affairs, presented by Edward Stourton, including a review of Empire of the Sikhs and a proposal to extend civil partnerships to co-habiting siblings.

Poonam Taneja reports on the Empire of the Sikhs exhibition, a rare collection of stunning objects and works of art that reveal the remarkable story of the Sikh Empire and the European and American adventurers who served it. 

BBC Religious Affairs Editor Martin Bashir looks ahead to this week's review by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) of the case of Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Gloucester, who was imprisoned in 2015 for abusing young men. 

Following the publication of new Vatican guidelines on what it means to be a consecrated virgin, Edward Stourton speaks to Elizabeth Rees who explains what life is like as a consecrated woman.

Secunder Kermani reports on the influence of Sufi mystics on the outcome of the upcoming Pakistan elections. 

Jasvinder Sanghera tells Edward Stourton why her forced marriage campaign group Karma Nirvana is handing out spoons at a school to help tackle the summer holiday spike in forced marriage cases. 

Following a debate in the House of Lords of a bill calling for civil partnerships to be extended to siblings living together, we hear from one person living in a 'platonic partnership' about why they believe this is a matter of correcting a serious injustice. 

Do Christians and atheists have more in common than is commonly thought? Krish Kandiah thinks so and says why in his new book Fatheism. He's joined by Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK. to discuss the current climate of conversation between believers and non-believers. 

Producer

Catherine Earlam 
Louise Clarke-Rowbotham

Series Producer

Amanda Hancox.

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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