Religion 101
I've been thinking a lot about religion these past few weeks -- even more so than I usually do. We've begin filming on a new documentary I'm presenting which explores the place of religion, and spirituality, in Northern Ireland today. That is a vast subject, I know; but we hope to present some kind of analysis within the space of sixty minutes in a primetime slot. I'm figuring: if we can tell the story of six hundred million years of Ireland's natural history in three hours, we stand a chance.
I am currently trying to make a journey from one end of Northern Ireland's religious spectrum to the other. I've already seen, and participated in, a great deal of our country's religious life; but there's a lot I haven't seen yet that I am keen to encounter. As those will know, I spent last Sunday morning at the north coast, observing two very different kinds of worship. On Saturday evening, I joined the community at Clonard Monastery to see how they keep the Easter vigil tradition alive. This is a personal journey too: some of my story is relevant to this. And throughout, I want to find out whether religion has a future in a country often associated with religion in the minds of those who don't live here.
Alongside that, I'm also recording a new series of The Book Programme, which is one of my favourite broadcasting projects. I'll tell you more about that in due course, but look out for Peter Ackroyd talking about his new book, a retelling of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, in the first programme. He's wonderful -- Ackroyd, that is.
Oh, while I'm talking about books, here's one I'm reading right now that isn't in the Book series (it was published in 2003): Susan Wise Bauer's. Bauer is a literature professor at the College of William and Mary (no relation), and her book is a celebration of ideas, books, and the love of both. It is a treat better than chocolate.
Comment number 1.
At 15th Apr 2009, newsjock wrote:I hope that your program on the religious history of Northern Ireland is also transmitted on the eastern side of the Irish Sea as well.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 15th Apr 2009, Heliopolitan wrote:Will, good stuff. Should be worth a watch. Make sure you include us Christian Atheists, heathens, Humanists, etc (I know you will). 14% of the population at the last census - more than Anglicans, for example.
A lot of us think a lot about religion too, even if we think there is no supernatural for it to address, and it has got to the stage where many of us who post on this blog regard even our fiercest ideological adversaries as almost *friends*! I can't think of any of them that I wouldn't be very happy to have a natter with, over a pint or two in the pub (the precise number of pints, like donkeys, is unimportant, because there is no meaningful distinction between one and two :-)
-H
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 15th Apr 2009, John Wright wrote:Helio- How is a lack of religion part of the religion being explored by the documentary? That's what atheism is, isn't it?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 15th Apr 2009, The Christian Hippy wrote:William, did you read A.N. Wilson in Saturdays Daily Mail.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 15th Apr 2009, Heliopolitan wrote:How are the mighty cerebrally infarcted, eh? His "Jesus" book remains pretty good. Haven't read his take on "Paul". A.N. Wilson becomes A.N. Other droning zombie. It's a bit sad.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 15th Apr 2009, Orthodox-tradition wrote:Helio
You said: "......it has got to the stage where many of us who post on this blog regard even our fiercest ideological adversaries as almost *friends*! I can't think of any of them that I wouldn't be very happy to have a natter with, over a pint or two in the pub....."
This almost brings an Easter tear to my eye Helio!
;-)
OT
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 15th Apr 2009, Orthodox-tradition wrote:in all seriousness...its nice to disagree without being disagreeable....I would be only to glad to progress discussions on this blog in this spirit....
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 16th Apr 2009, Heliopolitan wrote:Aw heck, OT - you're the exception that proves the rule ;-)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 16th Apr 2009, John Wright wrote:Too much love in this room for me. Yuck.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 16th Apr 2009, pastorphilip wrote:With all due respect, I would hope that the coming series is slightly more balanced and factually accurate than 'Blueprint' was!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 16th Apr 2009, PeterKlaver wrote:"I would hope that the coming series is slightly more balanced and factually accurate than 'Blueprint' was"
Ah, the call for 'balance'. Tell me pastorphilip, you would like for documentaries to tell 'all sides of the story' right? Where 'all' probably means that at least the views that you adhere to must be included, right? And that not all other views are included, since that would take up too much time? That you would actually like to have your views aired and not too many (if any) others?
And then the words 'factually accurate'. Does anyone have a new irony meter for me please? Mine keep exploding when I read the comments of the some pastors on this blog.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 16th Apr 2009, Orthodox-tradition wrote:Look guys if you read the Christianity vs fundamentalism thread you will see that "certainty" is the new sin on W&T.
So why should be expect factual accuracy in a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ documentary?
So long as it is tolerant that is all that matters!
;-)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 17th Apr 2009, theeyebrow wrote:This sounds as if it will be an excellent classroom resource in terms of exploring different types of worship. Good material is hard to come by for senior R.S students! Is that a reflection on the money being spent on this type of programming? One often feels that there is so much to be explored and the media is a powerful tool to assist. More life than a textbook! Unfortunately I bungled the recording of some of the interviews with folk like Singer but I have directed my students to the snippets on youtube.
So Iook forward to viewing the programme.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)