Provocative weekly debate on moral, religious and ethical issues. From BBC Radio Ulster
Advancing life expectancy - might we outlive Methuselah?
What ethical challenges and dilemmas arise by prolonging humanity's time on earth?
1/28/2024 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
For God and education?
Primary and post-primary schools need to be more diverse - and it's up to the Churches, which run them, to do it. That's according to one of the leading authorities on shared education, Tony Gallagher, Emeritus Professor at Queen's University, who has just published a paper on religion and diversity in schools and how, if at all, it has changed since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Presenter Audrey Carville in conversation with Professor Gallagher, retired principal of St Joseph's Secondary School in North Belfast Michelle Marken, Karen Jardine, convenor of the Presbyterian Church's state education committee, and the former editor of the Irish Catholic Michael Kelly
1/21/2024 • 29 minutes, 21 seconds
What is the point of prayer?
Millions do it. Does the singular prayer carry more weight than the millions praying for the same thing? Audrey Carville is joined by three theologians: Professor Tina Beattie, Dr Elaine Storkey and Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick.
1/14/2024 • 29 minutes, 31 seconds
Artificial Intelligence - is it time to embrace the future?
Some experts, including one of its creators, warn that its further development could lead to humans becoming extinct. Others warn about its potential in generating and maintaining warfare. But what about the good it could, and already is, doing? Is it time to embrace this future? Audrey Carville talks to Tom Hadley, an expert in workforce management and future of work trends, and Niamh Donnelly who is Chief Robotics Officer at a tech company specialising in healthcare solutions that use robotics and artificial intelligence.
1/7/2024 • 21 minutes, 41 seconds
Out with the old, in with the new – Happy New Year!
Audrey and a panel of guests, discuss the year on it’s way out, and the new one coming in
12/31/2023 • 38 minutes, 15 seconds
Christmas past and Christmas present, nostalgia and reality
Audrey and guests discuss their festive memories, and the true meaning of the season.
12/24/2023 • 54 minutes, 13 seconds
The season of goodwill – how far does your giving extend?
What motivates us to give to charity? Audrey and a panel of experts examine this thought
12/17/2023 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
‘Of your own free will’ – but does it exist?
Audrey and a panel of experts, discuss the concept of free will
12/3/2023 • 23 minutes, 13 seconds
Are the poor paying the price as the wealthy destroy the planet?
The United Nations has warned that global warming is the biggest threat to our existence on this planet - and the warnings aren't about the next thousand years - the impact is already being felt now and will undoubtedly be much more severe for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The annual climate change negotiations take place next week in Dubai - COP28 as they're known. Will they make a difference or does a gathering of politicians simply amount to more hot air? Presenter Claire Graham in conversation with the economist Vicky Pryce, Professor John Barry and the CEO of Christian Aid Ireland Rosamond Bennett.
11/26/2023 • 23 minutes, 53 seconds
What does it mean to be human?
It is a simple question, that unwraps the bundle of complexity, that is a human life.
11/19/2023 • 27 minutes, 29 seconds
'Amazing Grace'
Audrey Carville and author James Walvin, explore one of the world's most enduring hymns.
11/12/2023 • 25 minutes, 59 seconds
White Jesus?
Would Christianity have acted differently had it always depicted Jesus accurately?
10/29/2023 • 27 minutes, 13 seconds
How western powers have shaped the Middle East we know today.
Can those power really me honest brokers in any mediation?
10/23/2023 • 35 minutes, 22 seconds
Dehumanising The Enemy
Audrey Carville and a panel of experts, discuss the crisis in Israel/Palestine
10/19/2023 • 32 minutes, 21 seconds
Sex Education In School
Are the new regulations on sex education in schools a barrier between church and state?
10/6/2023 • 19 minutes, 24 seconds
A lifelong debt - just what do we owe to our family?
What are our obligations as family members?
10/1/2023 • 31 minutes, 35 seconds
'Paying up' for living longer
Are we shirking responsibility by not saving for our potential care home costs?
9/24/2023 • 26 minutes, 36 seconds
Home
What does 'home' mean to us and feel like? How do we know when we're home? And home isn't always a safe space or a sanctuary. Audrey Carville is joined by theologian Dr Joy Allan who has moved a lot, Aodhán Connolly who last year switched from Bangor to work in Brussels, Eileen Chan-Hu who founded CRAIC NI and regularly spends time with family in Hong Kong, and well known journalist and political commentator Alex Kane who was adopted.