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Religion & Ethics

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

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Sunday: Reconciling sex work with faith

Reconciling sex work with faith

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, Reconciling sex work with faith

Edward Stourton examines the ethical and religious issues of the week.

How do sex workers reconcile their work with religious belief?
The fears of Anglican clergy at declining church attendance.
Why are nuns such a popular subject for movies?

Can you be a sex worker and still follow your faith? Sex work has always challenged religion. Although it’s broadly considered immoral within Christianity, Islam and Judaism, sacred texts carry some mixed messages.  We hear from a British woman who grew up as a devout Muslim but now makes adult content for the online service Only Fans. She’s often pictured wearing a hijab.  She’s received death threats but believes that expressing her sexuality and making her own choices about her body are empowering.  She reflects on the difficulity of reconciling sex work with religious faith.

Attendance at Church of England services has fallen sharply in recent decades.   A new survey of over a thousand clergy suggests that many are anxious about the future of the church.   Nearly a third of those who responded to the poll, by the Times newspaper, felt that the Church could face extinction if the decline continues.  Some believe that part of the problem is that church teaching on issues like gay marriage and the role of women is out of touch with public opinion.  We hear from several Anglican priests and invite the church to respond to their concerns.

Why are nuns such an enduringly popular subject for films?   This week, The Nun II, a horror movie, is released in UK cinemas.  It's just the latest in a rich seam of nun-themed films, which includes Sister Act, Black Narcissus, Nuns on the Run, and The Sound of Music.  A film critic and a Catholic nun discuss the portrayal of nuns in cinema and reflect on the enduring appeal of nuns to film makers.

Presenter:    Edward Stourton
Producers:    Jonathan Hallewell and Bara'atu Ibrahim
Editor:   Tim Pemberton
Studio Managers:   Simon Highfield and Sue Stonestreet
Production Coordinator:   David Baguley

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