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Religion & Ethics

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

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Sunday: President Trump, white supremacy and Christianity;  Children of Catholic Priests; Christmas lights stay on

10/01/2021

President Trump, white supremacy and Christianity;  Children of Catholic Priests; Christmas lights stay on

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, President Trump, white supremacy and Christianity;  Children of Catholic Priests; Christmas lights stay on

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Edward Stourton.

Following the attack on the US Capitol by supporters of President Trump, Edward Stourton examines why Christian flags and symbols were on display during the riots.

There were crosses, “Jesus Saves” signs and “Jesus 2020” flags that mimicked the design of the Trump flags. Christian symbols were on display as the world watched rioters storm into the US Capitol on Wednesday. As many of the President's allies withdraw their support for him in the dying days of his presidency Edward investigates the religious rhetoric and symbolism that Trump and his supporters have embraced.

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She criticises what she says was the 'grievous misappropriation of the Christian faith.' And Robert P Jones, author of 'White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity' argues that the mob was motivated not just by loyalty to Trump, 'but by an unholy amalgamation of white supremacy and Christianity that has plagued the United States since its inception and is still with us today.'

For decades, the Catholic Church rarely acknowledged the fact that supposedly ‘celibate’ priests were fathering children. The scale and impact of these secretive births is only now coming to light. In what is thought to be the first ever book about the phenomenon, called ‘Our Fathers’, Vincent Doyle, himself a child of a Catholic priest, argues that the Church needs to wake up to the reality that it cannot stop priests fathering children.

And as we adjust to weeks of winter lockdown, comedian Paul Kerensa presents a theological argument as to why we can keep the Christmas lights on until February.

Producers:
David Cook
Olive Clancy

Editor:
Tim Pemberton

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President Trump, white supremacy and Christianity; Children of Catholic Priests; Christmas lights stay on

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