On air: Is being religious evidence of a good character?

Cherie Blair is in the middle of a rapidly expanding online discussion.

Cherie Blair is a judge and she issued this ruling on a man who’s guilty of assault. ‘I am going to suspend this (prison) sentence for the period of two years based on the fact you are a religious person and have not been in trouble before.’

On air: Do tragedies like this make you question your beliefs?

Take a look at this video. It’s religious broadcaster Pat Robertson discussing Haiti’s “pact with the devil” and it’s got lots of you talking about God’s place in this tragedy .

What does Christmas mean to you?

As I write this, the UK’s shopkeepers are bracing themselves for the last minute stampede of shoppers in search of last minute Christmas gifts. Amidst this annual spending frenzy come the accompanying complaints that we’ve lost the true spirit of Christmas.

Can animal cruelty be justified for the sake of religion?

Dashain is a fifteen day Hindu festival which celebrates the triumph of the Gods over wicked demons. It’s popular in Nepal. Animal sacrifices involving goats, buffaloes, sheep and chickens are made to the Goddess Durga in the hope that this will bring good fortune. This year a Nepalese animal rights group has organised protests against this practice. Many religions believe in animal sacrifice, but can animal suffering really be justified in the name of God?

Who should decide a child’s religion?

Update:  We’ve been trying to get in touch with Rifqa, her father and the pastor who took her in to see if they would take part in this show. Progress is slow but will keep you posted on how this goes!

Meet Rifqa, the teen who ran away because she feared being killed by her Muslim family for converting to Christianity. Here’s what she had to say before she left home Her parent’s disagree and authorities have said they have found no credible evidence to back up Rifqa’s claims.  They plan to make their case on Monday. Click on the video below to hear their testimony.

On-air: Should politicians do God?

Tony Blair has urged world leaders to “do God”. Should they?

Talking points 20 August.

Hello, Kate with you again this morning. Thanks to Will for moderating last night.

Both Nelson and Will suggested topics relating to homosexuality that have got you all talking on the blog.

On air: Can discrimination be justified?

This was a conversation that started on here on the WHYS blog. This was the post from Bob in Queensland….

“On a theatre technicians forum I moderate, somebody has posted a job ad looking the crew to do lighting, sound, wardrobe etc. on a British tour of a musical. The production in question is based on a bible story and the ad specifies that the whole crew must be Christian.”

Talking Points for 30 July

Thanks Nelson for looking after us last night.

On to some ideas for today’s programme…

World Trade is dead, or at least it has fallen into a deep sleep.

Talking Points for July 28

Good Morning from Priya in London. Thank you ZK and Katharina for the weekends massive blank page.

A few ideas for today’s programme: