Unbelievable?

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Unbelievable? 23 May 2009 Buddhism & Christianity in dialogue Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Geshe Tashi Tsering has been a Buddhist monk since he was a teenager. He claims that fulfillment in life involves shedding negative mental states and embracing the enlightened understanding of Buddhism. We are the answer to our own salvation.

Sunil Shivdasani is a Christian from a Hindu background. He works with Christian Vision for Men. He explains why he believes Jesus is the true way to enlightenment, why he believes in a creator God and that we need help from God to be saved.

For Geshe Tashi Tsering see www.jamyang.co.uk

For Sunil Shivdasani www.cvmen.org.uk

For more Christian/non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

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Unbelievable? 6 Oct 2007 Buddhism Burma and Christianity - the path of non-violence

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Unbelievable? 9 May 2009 - Was Jesus the Jewish Messiah? Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Jesus was a Jew. Christianity owes its birth to Judaism. But did Jesus represent the fulfilment of Jewish Messianic hopes and prophecy?

Jonathan Romain is Rabbi of a Reform Synagogue in Maidenhead and was recently named as one of the most influential Jews in the UK. He believes that whatever Jesus was, he was not the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

Stephen Pacht is a Messianic Jew. He believes Jesus is the Messiah the Jews were promised, but has not been recognised yet by many fellow Jews.

For Rabbi Jonathan Romain www.maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk

For Stephen Pacht www.jewsforjesus.org.uk

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

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Unbelievable? 24 May 2008 Jesus & Jewishness: are they compatible? Rabbi Shmuley Boteach & Michael Brown debate

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Unbelievable? 2 May 2009 "Did Jesus exist?" Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

While non-Christians may doubt the miracles and resurrection of Jesus, few doubt his actual existence.

However, Ken Humphreys believes the evidence for Jesus' very existence is scant and that Christian belief in him is the result of "late and fake" accounts.

JP Holding is a vociferous defender of Christian history and doctrine and believes Ken's scepticism is unfounded and biased.

They examine the evidence both in and beyond the Gospels for Jesus' existence.

For JP Holding see www.tektonics.org

For Ken Humphreys see www.jesusneverexisted.com

Hear more Christian/non-Christian debates at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast.

If you enjoyed this programme you may also be interested in:

Unbelievable? 3 May 2008 - Josh McDowell answers tough questions on the Christian faith

Unbelievable? 18 Oct 2008 - Why Should I believe in Jesus? Ex-Christian Norman Hansen vs. Amy Orr-Ewing of the Zacharias Trust

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Unbelievable? 25 Apr 2009 Euthanasia Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Former UK Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt recently tabled an amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill seeking to allow people not to be prosecuted for aiding others to die at overseas euthanasia clinics.

Those who oppose Euthanasia see this is as part of a strategy to change the UK law that currently prohibits assisted suicide.

In this edition of "Unbelievable?" Atheist Peer Lord Dick Taverne (Lib Dem) and Dan Boucher, Parliamentary Officer for Christian charity CARE debate the rights and wrongs of Euthanasia. Lord Taverne believes that the evidence shows Euthanasia is a caring way of dealing with those who are suffering, Dan Boucher believes it will herald a slippery slope to the devaluing of life.

Hanne Stinson of the British Humanist Association and Trevor Stammers of the Christian Medical Fellowship also contribute.

Should we accept the wishes of those with terminal illness that wish to die? Or are we creating a culture of death?

Hear more Christian/Non-Christian debate at www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

You may also be interested in listening to:

Unbelievable? 12 Jan 2008 - Human Fertilisation & Embryology - are we playing God?

Unbelievable? 19 Jan 2008 Abortion - pro-life vs. pro-choice.

For CARE see: http://www.care.org.uk/

For the BHA see: www.humanism.org.uk

For the Christian Medical Fellowship see: http://www.cmf.org.uk/

Join in the discussion at The Premier Community

Unbelievable? 18 Apr 2009 - "I am a Christian" - Are Christians being marginalised? Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Premier is inviting Christians to sign the "I am a Christian" declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk and stand up for their Christian faith. It's in response to the fact that over 100,000 have downloaded the National Secular Society's "Debaptism" certificate, renouncing childhood baptismal vows.

There have been a number of stories that suggest Christians are being restricted form being open about their Christian faith in the public arena, and now the National Secular Society is urging that hospital chaplains should not be funded by the NHS.

Premier's CEO Peter Kerridge explains why he believes the campaign will encourage Christian to be bold in their faith. Terry Sanderson of the National Secular Society explains why they want to take Christian influence out of the public sphere, while Andrea Williams of Christian Concern for Our Nation explains why she believes the rights of Christians are being challenged.

Sign the declaration at www.iamachristian.org.uk

For Terry Sanderson see www.secularism.org.uk

For Andrea Williams see www.ccfon.org

For more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

If you enjoyed this programme you may want to listen to

Unbelievable? 2 Aug 2008 - Faith & School - do they mix? Jan Ainsworth & Andrew Copson debate.

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Unbelievable? 11 Apr 2009 - Did Jesus Rise from the dead? An atheist perspective Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Steven Carr has a prolific presence on the internet as an atheist blogger and debater. He contends that the early Christians did not believe in Jesus' resurrection and that the Biblical views of resurrection are contradictory.

Canon Michael Cole is a veteran defender of Christian faith and responds to Steven's criticisms of the resurrection.

For Steven Carr see http://stevencarrwork.blogspot.com/

For Canon Michael Cole see http://www.nationwidechristiantrust.com

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

If you enjoyed this you may also wish to listen to

Unbelievable? 10 Jun 2007 Dead or Alive: the Truth of the Resurrection

Unbelievable? 8 Mar 2008 Can we trust the Gospels?

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Unbelievable? 4 Apr 2009 Did Jesus rise from the dead? A Muslim perpective Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Did Jesus rise from the dead? What if he never actually died on the cross?

As Easter approaches we hear from one of the best respected Muslim scholars in the world - Shabir Ally. He explains why he does not believe Jesus rose from the dead, namely because he never actually died upon the cross - he merely 'swooned'.

Christian Apologist Tony Costa presents his case for the resurrection of Christ and critiques Ally's belief that Jesus did not die.

For Shabir Ally visit www.islaminfo.com

For Tony Costa visit www.freewebs.com/tonycosta/

Click here for the "Unbelievable?" TV debate between Michael Bird and James Crossley on Christian Origins and the Resurrection.

To hear more Christian/non-Christian debates visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast

If you enjoyed this programme you may wish to hear:

Unbelievable? 26 Apr 2008 Proof for the Resurrection - Evangelist Tony Costa & Atheist Ken Humphreys debate.

Unbelievable? 15 Nov 2008 Does the Trinity lead to polytheism? James White of Alpha & Omega ministries debates Abdullah Al Andalusi

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Unbelievable? 28 Mar 2009 "Challenging Atheist Myths" Part 2 Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Are atheists guilty of misunderstanding morality and the Bible?

David Robertson is a Free Church Minister in Scotland and author of the best selling book "The Dawkins letters - Challenging atheist myths". He meets "atheist blogger" Adrian Hayter again to discuss the "myths" of Godless morality, the cruel Old Testament God and the Immoral Bible.

Read Richard Morgan's testimony here (mentioned during feedback at the start of the programme)

To buy "The Dawkins Letters" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping

For David Robertson see: www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk

For Adrian Hayter see: http://atheistblogger.com/

For more Christian and non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and get the podcast

You may also be interested in the following programmes:

Unbelievable? 6 Sep 2008 Christianity on trial pt 1: Can I trust the Bible? Atheist lawyer Ed Turner vs Theologian Andy Bannister

Unbelievable? 5 Apr 2008 Why I became an atheist - John W Loftus in discussion with Peter May

Unbelievable? 21 Mar 2009 "Challenging Atheist Myths" Part1 Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

Church minister David Robertson authored a series of Open Letters to Richard Dawkins after the publication of "The God Delusion" that sought to expose the flaws in his argument and the "atheist myths" that he was guilty of. Those missives became a book called "The Dawkins Letters: Challenging atheist myths" and has propelled David into the spotlight as he addresses sceptical audiences on whether Christian belief makes sense.

He debates with student Adrian Hayter also known as the "atheist blogger" online. Adrian disagrees with David's conclusions.

They debate "the myth of Atheist rationality and tolerance" & "the myth of the inherent evil of religion" Tune in next week for round 2...

To buy "The Dawkins Letters" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping

For David Robertson see: www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk

For Adrian Hayter see: http://atheistblogger.com/

For more Christian and non-Christian discussion visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable and get the podcast

You may be interested to hear the Show of 27 Dec 08 - "Bits & Bobs end of year special" featuring David Robertson

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Unbelievable? 14 Mar 2009 Fine Tuning of the Universe Jun 05, 2014

Show notes

The most recent scientific evidence shows that the universe had to be incredibly "fine tuned" in its fundamental constants to allow life. Is this the ultimate proof of a designer God?

Nicholas Beale believes so. He is the co-author of "Questions of truth" (WJK) with Christian physicist John Polkinghorne. Atheist Julian Baggini argues against Nicholas' conclusion.

To order "Questions of Truth" go to www.premier.org.uk/shopping

For Nicholas Beale see: www.questionsoftruth.org

For Julian Baggini see: http://julianbaggini.blogspot.com/

For more Christian/Non-Christian debate visit www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable where you can also get the podcast

Join the discussion at the Premier Community