Sunday Morning

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Two hours of music and stimulating conversation from a faith and ethical perspective.

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Sunday Morning: with Cathy Macdonald

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with Cathy Macdonald

BBC Radio Scotland - Sunday Morning, with Cathy Macdonald

A Coronation reflection, Adam Smith's legacy, making debate 'safe spaces' in universities.

A reflection on the Coronation, the legacy of economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith, and how to create safe spaces for debate in universities.

The Right Reverend Doctor Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, joins Cathy to talk about his invitation to the Coronation this weekend. He also reflects on his year in office as it comes to an end this month.   

This Friday sees the start of a four-week celebration marking 300 years since the birth of the economist and philosopher, Adam Smith. His influence and theories have been cited as shaping modern capitalism. But there was another side to Smith, that of the moral philosopher. Dr Craig Smith, the Adam Smith Senior Lecturer in the Scottish Enlightenment at the University of Glasgow, sheds light on this lesser known side of the influential economist.

Churches are often the one constant in ever-changing urban landscapes. Their architecture and unique history is documented by writer Peter Ross in his new book Steeple Chasing. He joins Cathy to explore their place in our imagination and what they mean to him personally.

Last month saw a planned screening of a gender-critical documentary at the University of Edinburgh cancelled after protests by students. First Minister Humza Yousaf has said that universities should be a "safe space" for debate and discussion. Senior lecturer in public policy at Edinburgh University, Dr Oliver Escobar, and Dr Esa Aldegheri, Research Associate at UNESCO Refugee Integration through Language and the Arts at Glasgow University talk about how can these institutions and others can create those spaces while protecting and challenging young minds. 

The Scottish diaspora has one of the widest footprints of any nation, particularly in North America. As an American who has made Scotland her own home for the last 20 years, mezzo-soprano Andrea Baker is fascinated by the cross-cultural ties that bind the two countries. In a special report from a recent visit to a music festival in Charlotte, North Carolina, she discovers how much Scottish culture is still celebrated. 
 
Pope Francis has announced that he will allow women the vote at a synod meeting of bishops in Rome this October. Is the stain glass ceiling being shattered, or merely cracked? Dr Mary Cullen, Editor of the independent Catholic journal Open House talks to Cathy about the significance of this move in an institution traditionally dominated by men.

The world’s declining birth rates have led to a rise in ‘pro-natalists’, who believe that people should be encouraged to have more children. What are the ethical considerations around this movement, and should the government and faith institutions ever be involved? Murray Leith, professor in the school of education and social sciences at the University of West Scotland; and Bethany Sollereder lecturer in science and religion at the University of Edinburgh join Cathy to discuss this often divisive topic.

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