Beyond Belief

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

BBC Radio 4 FM

Beyond Belief: Monsters and Gods

Monsters and Gods

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Monsters and Gods

For centuries, monsters have snarled out of religious writings at us. Why?

A modern witch tells us why the demoness Lilith is now a figure of devotion. Monsters aren’t just pagan myths, they’re in our religious scripture. What are they trying to tell us?

Bunny Love-Schock is an interfaith minister and practising witch. She has a devotional practice to the figure of Lilith, a character who has appeared in myth and religious storytelling for centuries. She’s been a demoness, a monster linked to owls, screeching and with wings. In the middle ages you might have been afraid of her harming your unborn or young children. 

Now, Bunny tells us how she’s seen as a Goddess figure, in all her ambivalence. 

Giles Fraser explores the monsters that have snarled at us from religious writings. What is their relationship to the divine? What are they trying to tell us and how do we see them now?

He’s joined by Professor Esther Hamori, author of ‘God’s Monsters’ who reminds us of the fearsome nature of angels, Dr Bihani Sarkar who has stories from classic Hindu literature and Natalie Lawrence, whose fascination with folklore and ancient myth inspired her book 'Enchanted Creatures'. 

Producer: Rebecca Maxted
Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser
Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Beyond Belief

Monsters and Gods

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4