Something Understood

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BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: Abstinence

The Call of the City

Abstinence

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Abstinence

As Lent approaches, Mark Tully discusses the purpose and effects of fasting.

Mark Tully discusses the purpose of abstinence in the lead up to Lent and investigates the varied attitudes towards fasting in the major faiths.

As Lent approaches, Mark Tully discusses the purpose and effects of fasting. Why do so many faiths consider fasting so virtuous?

In conversation with the broadcaster and writer John Butt, a convert to Islam of forty-five years standing, he discusses the varied approaches to fasting in the major faiths.

With readings from Gerard Manley Hopkins and Patrick Leigh Fermor, and music ranging from Bhim Sen Joshi and The Irish Descendants to Antonin Tucapsky, he examines the pleasures and pitfalls of abstinence and self-denial.

The readers are Robert Glenister and Francis Cadder.

Producer: Frank Stirling
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