Sunday Folgen

Poonam Taneja reports on the Empire of the Sikhs exhibition, a rare collection of stunning objects and works of art that reveal the remarkable story of the Sikh Empire and the European and American adventurers who served it. BBC Religious Affairs Editor Martin Bashir looks ahead to this week's review by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) of the case of Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Gloucester, who was imprisoned in 2015 for abusing young men. Following the publication of new Vatican guidelines on what it means to be a consecrated virgin, Edward Stourton speaks to Elizabeth Rees who explains what life is like as a consecrated woman.Secunder Kermani reports on the influence of Sufi mystics on the outcome of the upcoming Pakistan elections. Jasvinder Sanghera tells Edward Stourton why her forced marriage campaign group Karma Nirvana is handing out spoons at a school to help tackle the summer holiday spike in forced marriage cases. Following a debate in the House of Lords of a bill calling for civil partnerships to be extended to siblings living together, we hear from one person living in a 'platonic partnership' about why they believe this is a matter of correcting a serious injustice. Do Christians and atheists have more in common than is commonly thought? Krish Kandiah thinks so and says why in his new book Fatheism. He's joined by Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK. to discuss the current climate of conversation between believers and non-believers. ProducerCatherine Earlam Louise Clarke-RowbothamSeries ProducerAmanda Hancox.

We are familiar with yoga and mindfulness but now there's growing interest in an old Chinese practice called Qigong. 5000 years old, it was used by Kung Fu masters to increase their strength. One of the best known Malaysian Chinese Grandmasters is Wong Kiew Kit. Emily Buchanan met him to learn more about this ancient practice. The Church of England has announced plans for 100 new churches in England. The Bishop of Burnley, Philip North and Rector of Holy Trinity Guildford Robert Cotton discuss the future shape of church and whether the church has it's priorities right. This week the Labour Party will formally adopt its new 'anti-Semitism code' - a definition of what does and does not amount to anti-Semitism when it comes to disciplinary proceedings against its members. But the wording of the code has been heavily criticised. Kevin Bocquet reports.Professor Eamon Duffy talks to Emily about his new book, Royal Books and Holy Bones.Cardinal Vincent Nichols visited the Jesuit Refugee Service this week, who are calling for the government to change they way they deal with asylum seekers. Trevor Barnes reports.Amanda Speilman, Chief Inspector of OFSTED gave a speech this week warning of an "expanding sense of religious entitlement" by parents putting pressure on head teachers to change school policy to suit their needs. Emily Buchanan speaks to her about the role she see's for religion in schools.Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has been appointed the PM's first Special Envoy on Religious Freedom. He tells Emily why his new role is needed and what he hopes to achieve. Producers: Rajeev Gupta Carmel Lonergan Series Producer: Amanda HancoxPhoto credit :Fully Alive Ltd.

The government announced plans to end conversion therapy this week after a survey showed most instances of attempted conversion therapy occur in a religious context. Harry Farley reports on the impact of this controversial practice and what it might mean for religious organisations that carry it out. Trevor Barnes is at the Church of England's General Synod in York reporting on the key issues and debates. Members of the General Synod are being urged to "strengthen the hand" of the Church's National Investing Bodies in discussions with fossil-fuel companies, by voting to increase the threat of disinvestment. Dr Darrell Hannah and the Bishop of Salisbury Nicholas Holtam discuss the amendment. From disgraced politician, to prison inmate, to prison chaplain, the Reverend Jonathan Aitken talks to Edward Stourton about his spiritual journey. Antony Gormley and Rowan Williams, two of the world's leading contemporary thinkers, in-conversation about the interface between art and theology following at the Royal Academy this week. The GITA is a seven hundred verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit - not, you might think, the kind of thing that would naturally appeal to children, but it has been reworked into an illustrated children's book called the Battle of the Worlds. Sonal Sachdev Patel one of the authors talks to Ed Stourton. Producers:Catherine Earlam Lissa Cook Series Producer:Amanda Hancox.