Sunday Sequence: Recent Episodes
Sunday Sequence
In the BBC's Sunday Sequence programme, William Crawley and guests explore the week's big stories and examine key debates from the world of culture and ideas.
On the Twentieth Anniversary of the IRA ceasefire, Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Ken Newell, former Victims Commissioner Patricia Mcbride, Colin Craig - Executive Director of Corrymeela and the commentator Alex Kane discuss what has been achieved in that time.
Dr Willie Parker, a Christian abortion doctor in Mississippi, talks to William about how his beliefs inform his work.
Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, pays tribute to our colleague and friend Gerry Anderson.
In dozens of countries across the world Christian organisations are working with the victims of trafficking. William talks to Andy McCourt, who is the senior pastor at the Christian Fellowship Church in East Belfast and has just returned from a trip to Mumbai, and Ruth Cook who works with the International Justice Movement - an organisation supporting victims of violence and trafficking across the world.
Do our traditional tribal divisions impact new visions for our post-conflict multi-ethnic society? We discuss this with journalist Peter Gegeoghan, Anna Lo MLA, and Arnold Hatch Craigavon Councillor and deputy chair of Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership
Cora Sherlock, the deputy Chair of the Irish Pro-Life Campaign and the writer and journalist Fintan O'Toole discuss the most recent distressing case. And we have comments from Justice Minister David Ford.
Reverend Chris Hudson took part in yesterday's Belfast Pride march along with some of his congregation from All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Elmwood Avenue.
Would the world be a safer and better place without United States involvement or interference in the affairs of other countries? Cal Thomas and Eamon McCann discuss this with William
Monday August 4th, marks the 100th anniversary of Britain's declaration of war on Germany. To discuss the impact of The Great War, our special panel of guests includes Dr Marie Coleman, an expert on the political impact of the war in Ireland, Professor Fran Brearton,a specialist in Irish war poets and the cultural and literary impact of the war here, and historian and broadcaster Myles Dungan.
William talks to Paul Hirshon, Deputy Spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International.
Shock and grief across New Zealand after the death of Northern Irish Dean of Christchurch, Lynda Patterson. William talks to Rev Mandy Neill, one of Lynda's closest friends, who's also a priest of the diocese.
What exactly is a war crime? William discusses this topic with Dr Kevin Heller, Professor of Criminal Law at the University of London, and Anthony Julius is deputy chairman of law firm Mishcon de Reya.
To get a sense of how Israel defends it's actions in the face of an international outcry, William speaks to Oren Gross, a law professor working in the United States but originally from Israel, who's also a former senior legal advisor to both the Israeli government and to the Israeli Defense Force.
The Pope this week pleaded with abuse victims for forgiveness and spoke of the need for the church to make reparation. William spoke to clerical abuse victim Marie Collins and Vatican reporter Robert Mickens.
The Twelfth passed of peacefully but what contribution can the Churches make towards a shared future? Former Presbyterian Moderator Roy Patton, Bishop Harold Miller Bishop Donal McKeown join William.
Research shows we prefer just about ANY kind of distraction rather than being left alone with our own thoughts.
Is "national security" one of the most dangerous concepts at play in contemporary public life?
Should a "religious" business be able to refuse to provide a service if they believe it's inconsistent with their beliefs?
The terror group ISIS has now rebranded itself a caliphate. But what exactly IS a caliphate? And how much of a political game-changer is the emergence of a new, self-styled Islamic State? Professor Fawaz Gerges is from the London School of Economics. Also Dr David Tombs is from the Irish Centre for Post Conflict Justice at Trinity College.
In television, advertising, music and in life there's mounting evidence that sexism is a norm rather than an exception. The Green Party's Claire Bailey, organised the recent Alternative Miss Ulster Pageant, and Nick Garbutt, pr guru, ex newspaper editor and director join the discussion with William.
Historian Eammon Phoenix tells William the surprising story of Lindsay Crawford, founder of the Independent Orange Order.
After Unionists walk out of parade talks, what kind of summer can we expect? William talks to Reverend Alistair Smyth, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Reverend Brian Kennaway, former education officer with the Orange Order, Ruth Dudley-Edwards, and Dr Brian Feeney,
Christians will be used to hearing arguments about whether the Jesus of the Bible was actually God or even claimed to be God. But a new book on that ancient controversy is getting a lot of talk partly because its author, a bestselling author and Bible expert, is a former evangelical theologian. @BartEhrman's book is called 'How Jesus Became God' and he talks to @williamcrawley about his latest book.
@williamcrawley is joined by the 3 exs - ex Lord Mayor Mairtin ó Muilleoir @newbelfast, ex Presbyterian Moderator Rob Craig and the outgoing Methodist President the Reverend Heather Morris @PresidentMCI to reflect on the past year in Northern Ireland.
@williamcrawley is joined by the 3 exs - ex Lord Mayor Mairtin ó Muilleoir @newbelfast, ex Presbyterian Moderator Rob Craig and the outgoing Methodist President the Reverend Heather Morris @PresidentMCI - to reflect on the past year in Northern Ireland.
One of the most controversial aspects to Lord Morrow's bill is the plan to criminalise those who purchase sex thereby also criminalising prostitution. So is this really an Evangelical campaign about sex rather than human trafficking? And is buying sex really any different from paying for any other commodity or service? @williamcrawley speaks with @GlasgaeLauraLee - a sex workers' rights campaigner, @harriet_a_long who works for the Rainbow Project in Belfast and Julie Bindel @bindelj - writer, journalist and activist.
One of the most controversial aspects to Lord Morrow's bill is the plan to criminalise those who purchase sex thereby also criminalising prostitution. So is this really an Evangelical campaign about sex rather than human trafficking? And is buying sex really any different from paying for any other commodity or service? @williamcrawley speaks with @GlasgaeLauraLee - a sex workers' rights campaigner, @harriet_a_long who works for the Rainbow Project in Belfast and Julie Bindel @bindelj - writer, journalist and activist.
Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire announced he's to take the Chief Constable to court over the PSNI's refusal to release material relating to around 100 cases. The Ombudsman case appears straighforward – i.e. that the law is on their side. The police defence is rather more clouded. With @williamcrawley is former Assistant Chief Constable Raymond White and the commentator Chris Ryder. #sundaysequence
Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire announced he's to take the Chief Constable to court over the PSNI's refusal to release material relating to around 100 cases. The Ombudsman case appears straighforward – i.e. that the law is on their side. The police defence is rather more clouded. With @williamcrawley is former Assistant Chief Constable Raymond White and the commentator Chris Ryder. #sundaysequence
Are fairy tales more than just children's fiction - are they also moral and spiritual tools of a kind? @williamcrawley talks with Sally Goddard Blythe, a neuropsychologist and author of The Genius of Natural Childhood.
From motorbikes to mountain climbing – we explore the morals around high risk sports. With William are Professor of philosophy David Papineau of King's College London, another philosopher, John Catherwood and Fred Cowan, who's chaplain of the Christian Motorcyclists Association of Northern Ireland. We began with Fred who talked about the recent death of Simon Andrews at the North West 200.
The remains of 800 children, who appear to have died between 1925 and 1961 were found in a septic tank in Tuam, Co. Galway. The discovery begs the question as to just how rotten was the State in which such dreadful things could occur? Michael Kelly is editor of the Irish Catholic, also with us is the historian Tim Pat Coogan. #sundaysequence
With our new found obsession with selfies and our constant social media updates, is narcissism becoming the new 'norm' in our society? The philosopher Simon Blackburn attempts to tackle this question in his latest book 'Mirror Mirror' #selfies #sundaysequence
A court in Dublin this week ruled that a 26 year old with anorexia nervosa is to be fed with a tube against her wishes. Force feeding or death by starvation? Should the decision be exercised by the courts in these extreme cases as an act of humanity? Or should the decision be left with the sufferer? @ejwoolf and Eileen Fegan discuss the ethical complexity of this decision #sundaysequence
The rosy glow of world-wide attention received from millions of people watching the Giro d'Italia here has faded to accusations of an ugly stain of religious intolerance and racial bigotry. The world's foremost expert on global contemporary Islam visited Belfast this week amongst the furore to deliver a major lecture at Queen's university. Professor Akbar Ahmed talks to @WilliamCrawley about the myths and misunderstandings that follow Muslims living in the Western world and about the controversy that has engulfed the First Minister #SundaySequence
In just over a year Pope Francis has transformed the international image of the Catholic Church. It seems he has created a sense of inclusiveness and warmth that perhaps wasn't evident in the reign of his predecessor Benedict. But has much really changed? Father Tony Flannery from the Association of Catholic Priests shares his views with @williamcrawley #SundaySequence #PopeFrancis
Legalised assisted dying may move a step closer this week when proposed legislation is heard in the House of Lords. Author Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain and Brendan McCarthy, the chief advisor to the Church of England on medical ethics talk to @williamcrawley about this highly emotive issue #SundaySequence #AssistedDying
PART 3 Catholic Bishop Noel Treanor gave very specific advice to voters in a pastoral letter telling Catholics to use their vote wisely on issues of abortion, gay marriage and other matters. The contents of the letter would appear to put the bishop on a platform much closer to that of the DUP than the parties traditionally reliant on Catholic support - Sinn Fein and the SDLP. With @williamcrawley Justice Minister David Ford, Father Tim Bartlett and the commentators Jude Collins and Patricia McBride. #sundaysequence
PART 4 Catholic Bishop Noel Treanor gave very specific advice to voters in a pastoral letter telling Catholics to use their vote wisely on issues of abortion, gay marriage and other matters. The contents of the letter would appear to put the bishop on a platform much closer to that of the DUP than the parties traditionally reliant on Catholic support - Sinn Fein and the SDLP. With @williamcrawley Father Tim Bartlett and the commentators Jude Collins and Patricia McBride. #sundaysequence
PART 2 - Catholic Bishop Noel Treanor gave very specific advice to voters in a pastoral letter telling Catholics to use their vote wisely on issues of abortion, gay marriage and other matters. The contents of the letter would appear to put the bishop on a platform much closer to that of the DUP than the parties traditionally reliant on Catholic support - Sinn Fein and the SDLP. With @williamcrawley Father Tim Bartlett and the commentators Jude Collins and Patricia McBride. #sundaysequence
PART 1 Catholic Bishop Noel Treanor gave very specific advice to voters in a pastoral letter telling Catholics to use their vote wisely on issues of abortion, gay marriage and other matters. The contents of the letter would appear to put the bishop on a platform much closer to that of the DUP than the parties traditionally reliant on Catholic support - Sinn Fein and the SDLP. With @williamcrawley Father Tim Bartlett and the commentators Jude Collins and Patricia McBride. #sundaysequence
American Fox News presenter and syndicated columnist Cal Thomas talks to @williamcrawley about race and religion, off the back Pastor McConnell's recent comments about Islam. #sundaysequence
Despite Pastor McConnell's sermon being the biggest story of the week, there was a fairly mute reaction from the mainstream churches. Was that a valid, sensible approach taken to avoid fanning the flames or evidence of an absence of courage and willingness to enter contentious public debates? In other words, did the churches run away? We hear from the Presbyterian Moderator Rob Craig and John Brewer, Professor of post conflict studies at Queen's. #sundaysequence @williamcrawley
"Islam is evil, Islam is Satanic, Islam is a made-up religion and Moslems can't be trusted" - The words of Pastor James McConnell from the Whitewell Metropolitan Church in his sermon last Sunday. So what is Islam and what is Sharia law? We hear from Haras Rafiq, the outreach officer of Quilliam - the world's first counter-extremism think tank set up to address the unique challenges of citizenship, identity, and belonging in a globalised world. #sundaysequence @williamcrawley
Who were the Tudors? Author @LeandadeLisle unveils a new family portrait, dispelling the myths surrounding this remarkable and most notorious royal dynasty with @WilliamCrawley #Tudor #SundaySequence
Should a person be allowed to wipe out their past? This week a European Court ruled that an individual has the right to be forgotten and that the internet search engine #Google should, when requested, remove links to unfavourable stories about them. So is this a victory for the protection of personal data or a draconian attack on free speech? With @williamcrawley are the libel lawyer to the stars, Paul Tweed, the technology expert Dr Paul Moore and John Millbank, Professor of Religion, Politics and Ethics at the University of Nottingham. #sundaysequence
Can the ‘N’ word and other equally obnoxious terms ever have a public airing - in art, in song, in discussion? @Williamcrawley explores the changing face of culture and values with BBC producer Colin Grant and Eileen Lavery from the Equality Commission. #sundaysequence
A Sudanese court has sentenced a woman to hang for apostasy - the abandonment of her religious faith - after she married a Christian man and refused to convert back to Islam. The sentence will be carried out in two years time, after the pregnant woman of eight months gives birth. @Williamcrawley speaks to an Africa Advocacy Officer from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, who has asked to remain anonymous in this interview. #sundaysequence
The Belfast singer has been leading worship in his home Church, CFC, for over 25 years. Robin Mark's new album is a collection of congregational friendly songs of worship, exploring multiple Biblical themes and is called 'Liberation Praise'.
Not since George Best has a bearded long-haired celebrity attracted quite so much attention. Conchita took the Eurovision by storm last week and prompted quite a bit of debate with some admirers defending the right to be known as a "she" and others claiming it's not a she, it's a bloke in a dress. William spoke to Jennifer Clifford, who is trans-gender and a spokeperson for the transgender community, also with us was Brendan O'Neill from the Spiked online magazine.
Dr Paul Colton, the Bishop of Cork, has long been a supporter of gay people in and out of the church -- and he's been telling William why he also supports a change in the law to permit same-sex marriage and hopes one day that churches will feel able to celebrate gay marriages with official liturgies.
British and American security experts arrived in Nigeria this weekend to assist in the search for more than 270 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist terror group Boko Haram. Their abduction has triggered an international outcry. @WilliamCrawley talks to journalist @lizzypearson and @paul_bailie of Mission Africa. #SundaySequence #BBCRadioUlster #NigerianSchoolgirls #Nigeria