In this show, reportewr Louis Theroux meets the Phelps family, who make up most of the congregation of Westboro Baptist Church.
This church are reknowned for their absolutist morality, especially in relation to sex and sexualities. As a result, aspects of their views could be considered intolerant at the least, downright offensive at worst. A good companion show to Sexual Ethics, or in a discussion of absolutist and relativist values.
It goes without saying that I recommend these audiobooks. I cannot claim to have listened to them all, but they come from generally trusted sources - online colleges, books for the blind, that sort of thing.
I also recommend them because if there is one thing that you need to have done as part of your overall A Level course then it is to have thought about the topics that we are studying. You need to ingest these ideas as much as possible - to become comofrtable with them. Reading books, essays, websites etc., is good, but audio books and lectures can be good too.
Furthermore, regardless of what I say below, even bad information can be good in some regards.
It can still raise questions for you to chew over.
It can enable to you to critically consider what the audio books or lecture is telling you - to decide what is right or wrong about them.
However, before you start listening, please remember the following things.
The lecturer has a point of view. In Religious Studies, the lecturer might have a particular faith. He/She might find it hard to be neutral about particular traditions, They may promote one way of viewing an issue over others. We need to retain some level of critical analysis.
The quality of these lectures/audio books may vary. Some might explain an idea very well, or they may do it badly. You need to think about the quality of what you are listening to.
Finally, these are not aiming towards the course you are doing. They may twist and turn throughout a variety of aspects or they may remain fairly descriptive without offering any real analysis. Again, you need to think about what you are listening to.
Science Friction - a three-part documentary that examines the conflicts between science and religion. Broadcast in 1996 in the BBC's Everyman series.
Part 1 Science Friction: Creation BBC1 08/09/1996
This programme looks at the 'debate' between evolution and creationism, and highlights the situation in America, where a proposed Anti-Evolution Bill in Tennessee threatens to ban the teaching of evolution as fact. Interviewees include: Tennessee Christian Coalition chairman John Hanna, creationist scientist Dr Kurt Wise, evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins, National Centre for Science Education director Eugenie Scott, biologist and science historian Dr Will Provine.
Can 'Big Bang' theories of the origins of the universe ever be compatible with a religious view?
In this programme scientists debate these questions, and philosopher Derek Matravers provides an analysis of their arguments and how they are structured as well as examining the idea of faith and whether it can be a form of evidence.
This is of direct use to students of AS Religious Studies AND AS Philosophy. Highly Recommended.
