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New Year's resolutions: the theology, and do they make us happy?

Religious and ethical news. What is the theological meaning behind new year's resolutions, and do they make people happy?

We ask: what is the theological meaning behind New Year resolutions and do they make us Happy? William Crawley is joined by Rosie Harper, vicar of Great Missenden, Rabbi Dovid Lewis and life coach Susanna Halonen to discuss.

Mark Vernon gives an insight into how ancient Greek philosopher's viewed the future as we embark on 2016.

Religious journalist Ruth Gledhill looks ahead to what religious stories will be in the news in 2016.

A vicar in Stoke claims foreign worshippers can "save the Church in England", Bob Walker looks at how and meets migrants and refugees using Anglican Churches as their new place of worship.

The seventh of January marks the first anniversary of the deadly assault on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The shooting, was a wake-up call for one young French Muslim, Mohamed Chirani. He's now training to be a prison chaplain. Our reporter John Laurenson went along to meet him.

William talks to Bill Law, a Middle East analyst, about the religious significance of the execution of the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. He asks him what will the impact be on Iranian and Saudi relations?

Producers: Carmel Lonergan
David Cook

Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Available now

44 minutes

Chapters

  • Saudi Executions

    Saudi Arabia's execution of the Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a critic of the regime

    Duration: 04:20

  • Ancient Philsophers

    An insight into how ancient Greek philosopher's viewed the future as we embark on 2016

    Duration: 04:09

  • Chirani

    A year on from Charlie Hebdo, John Laurenson meets a French Muslim Mohamed Chirani

    Duration: 05:25

  • 2016 Religious Stories

    Ruth Gledhill looks ahead to what religious stories will be in the news in 2016

    Duration: 05:38

  • Migrants and refugees using Anglican churches

    Bob Walker meets migrants & refugees using Anglican Churches as their new place of worship

    Duration: 08:40

  • New Year's Resolutions

    What is the theological meaning behind New Year resolutions and do they make us Happy?

    Duration: 14:07

Broadcast

  • Sun 3 Jan 2016 07:10

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast