Thursday thought: Around The World In 80 Faiths

Thursday thought was prompted by the BBC announcement of a major new series on religions for BBC Two. Presented by Peter Owen Jones, Around The World In 80 Faiths will explore the astonishing diversity of the world's religions.

- It sounds fascinating. Being in the UK recently I was struck by the bias in the radio news reporting. A man was charged with the Terrorist Act, not simply stated what crime he faced in the dock. I was appalled at the seemingly deliberate abuse of the news for propaganda style language and creating an atmosphere of fear, in a relatively simple news item. But then I am reminded of the wonders of the BBC when I hear of something like this, which holds the promise of diversity and enlightenment that not every country in the world would be free to produce, never mind capable of.

Makes we wish I lived in the UK, for these kinds of insightful documentary series.

Part-time Anglican Vicar, Peter Owen Jones embarks on an epic challenge – to travel the globe and observe and take part in the most important rituals of 80 of the world's faiths.

On the way he'll be exploring some of the planet's most beautiful and holy places: he'll be meeting snake handlers, Voodoo practitioners, whirling dervishes, horse-riding Sikhs, shaman and Taoist monks seeking immortality.

He will also be participating in some truly remarkable events, including an Aborigine baby-smoking ceremony, exorcisms, a séance, a Christian healing, Muslim Prayer, a Hindu cremation and Zoroastrian wedding.

Pete will start his journey in the Far East, followed by Australasia and Africa.
From there he will travel through the Middle East, North America, South America, the sub Indian continent and finally Europe.

From the great massed festivals of Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism, right down to rituals practised just by remote tribes, and from religions half as old as time to brand new cults and sects, this eight-part series will bring a genuine understanding of the deep diversity of human spirituality.

The series has been commissioned by Adam Kemp, Commissioning Editor for Arts, Music, Performance and Religion, and is being made by the BBC's in-house Religion & Ethics team.

Adam Kemp says: "Around The World In 80 Faiths is BBC Two's biggest ever religious landmark series and underlines the channel's commitment to bold, pioneering peak time religious output.

"Peter Owen Jones is a remarkable, entertaining and insightful guide to the extraordinary diversity of faith on earth."

Executive Producer, Jean Claude Bragard, adds: "It's a privilege working with Peter Owen Jones – he's a warm, entertaining and passionate guide to the extraordinary lengths people will go to for their beliefs."

The series producer is Graham Johnson who is also a director alongside Sian Salt, Tom Sheehan, Karen Selway, Rob Cowling and Kevin Jarvis.

Filming for Around The World In 80 days started in January and the series will be broadcast early in 2009.

I'll have to get someone to record it.