Religion Episodes

Pope Francis apologised for the 'scandal and betrayal' of Catholic priests' sexual exploitation of children around the world on August 26 in Dublin, Ireland.

The Pope has expressed hope his visit to Ireland will help grow unity and reconciliation among Christians on the island.

For over a century France has been a secular society - keeping religion and politics separate. Now President Macron says he wants to create a national brand of Islam.

On horseback now, Brian arrives at the end of his pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, in time for the climactic celebrations of St James's day.

The Camino de Santiago has now taken Brian deep into northern Spain. He explores the role of St James as Matamoros ('Moor-slayer') while puzzling over the highly fretted interior of Burgos cathedral.

Brian crosses the Pyrenees on the Camino de Santiago and passes from France into northern Spain. Hurrying through Navarre and rather regretting a choppy fishing trip, he finally finds refuge in the stunning Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao.

What does one do in Bordeaux? One drinks too much red wine of course; never let it be said that Brian Sewell is afraid of cliche. In Poitiers the relic-ante is upped once again, and then Brian takes a detour to the great pilgrimage site, Lourdes.

Brian begins the official pilgrimage route through northern France, stopping to visit cathedrals at Chartres and Orleans, pondering the significance of holy relics in Christian history.

The pilgrimage begins in Paris, where Brian's attention is caught by the stained glass in the Sainte Chapelle, Byzantinesque architecture at the Sacre-Coeur and the 'point zero' of the Camino de Santiago outside Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Mormon church ends its century-long relationship with the Boy Scouts to focus on its own youth leadership and development program as the social views of the organizations move apart.

A must-visit when travelling to Malaysia.

When Tamara speaks to her congregation about redemption, she talks from experience. The pastor was once a member of a notorious street gang and found herself in prison, where she found God and turned her life around.

Is prophecy after prophecy from biblical texts unfolding before our eyes? Jeremy Hitchen looks back thousands of years to investigate the plausibility of ancient visions.

Why do cults continue to attract people in the 21st Century? Visions of Paradise looks at our need to belong and find purpose and meaning in life and presents a timely warning on how that can lead to fundamentalist thinking.

This film tackles the eternal question: Why do humans believe in a Higher Power?

When the Great Fire of 1666 destroyed St. Paul's Cathedral in London, a Royal Commission turned to 35-year old astronomer, Christopher Wren, to rebuild it.

We tend to think of angels as the white-winged, halo-headed characters from the Bible, and with good reason. We discover why angels have a central role in so many cultures and look at how angels pervade everyday life.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Were they the men who wrote the four gospels?

How heresies emerged, the literature that was produced and the dangers they posed to the early church.

The most impressive monument to Muslim engineering in the Western world, the Alhambra towers over Granada in southern Spain. Discover how it was built and why.

From the Bible to Rock & Roll and the internet, this engaging new documentary sheds new light on the Prince of Darkness through his manifestations in the arts and popular culture.

Examines the letters of the New Testament and how through correspondences with the churches of the Mediterranean, Christianity spread out of its homeland.

An ancient decoder has been stolen from a collection of Vatican art. When an archaeologist discovers its connection to the Knights Templar she enlists the help of a detective to find it before it falls into the wrong hands.

An ancient decoder has been stolen from a collection of Vatican art. When an archaeologist discovers its connection to the Knights Templar she enlists the help of a detective to find it before it falls into the wrong hands.

Investigating the secret crimes of a charismatic priest who abused over 200 deaf children in a school under his control, the film shows the face of evil that can lurk behind the smiles and denials of authority figures and institutions.

Beloved of the bereft and abandoned Father Bob Maguire, the irreverent philosopher and working class hero, eschews the collar and piousness of his own religion.

Evangelical Christians believe that Christian youth need to assume leadership roles in advocating the causes of their religious movement, so kids as young as 6 years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in "God's army."

Filmmaker Pan Nalin travels to the Kumbh Mela, one of the world's most extraordinary religious events. There, he encounters remarkable men of mind and meditation, some facing an inextricable dilemma; to embrace the world or to renounce it.

Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on.

A critical and in-depth look at how one man has quickly changed the face of Catholicism at a moment when no one really expected it.

Francis: The Pope From the New World unveils the personality, passion and extraordinary faith of the new Pope.

Like thousands of other young people Ryan Chambers travelled to India for experience and adventure. But Ryan never returned home.

A documentary psychodrama, set along a beautiful medieval pilgrimage

Sculptor Llew Summers talks to Chris Nichol about his own life-long, unconventional Christian faith, his works celebrating the value and dignity of the human body, and his understanding of a very human Jesus.

Deirdre Drysdale, a member of the New Zealand Spiritualist Church, talks to Chris Nichol about communicating with spirits, life after death, and the seven guiding principles of Spiritualism.

New Zealand's most famous soccer player Wynton Rufer talks to Chris Nichol about his glittering career, being 'born again' , and how prayer and fellowship sustain his relationship with God.

Sister Loyola Galvin, last year's Gardener of The Year, talks to Chris Nichol about a life fully lived, her passion for compost and the spiritual value of gardening.

Documentary maker John Sinclair talks to Chris Nichol about his journey from committed Christian to comfortable agnostic, from middle class Christchurch to a fulfilling life in the Calcutta slums.

Former MP, Winnie Laban talks to Chris Nichol about her upbringing, her values and her passion for social justice.

Nooroa Kippenberger, a member of Sukyo Mahikari, a relatively new religion originating in Japan. She talks to Chris Nichol about giving and receiving God's light and how her faith helps her understand her past, present and future.

This week on My God, Jo Seagar talks to presenter Chris Nichol about her love of sharing 'real' food, overcoming personal heartache, and the Anglican beliefs that sustain her.

Scientist and 2010 New Zealander of the Year Ray Avery talks to Chris Nichol about a life long search for love and belonging and a place to call home.

Musician Steve Abel talks to Chris Nichol about crafting songs, the transience of life and the relationship of humans to the Earth.

Auckland University's associate dean of Maori and Pacific Development, Manuka Henare, talks to Chris Nichol about his Catholic faith, being a tribal person and living comfortably with contradictions.

Scientist Joanne Harvey talks to Chris Nichol about why she finds it easy to bring her belief in God into harmony with her scientific approach to the world.

Head of the Salvation Army's Family Tracing Unit talks to Chris Nichol about the pain of loss and abandonment and the joy of reconciliation.

New Zealand's first Rastafarian MP Nandor Tanczos talks to Chris Nichol about making sense of his life through the lens of his Rastafarian faith.

This week on My God Victoria talks to presenter Chris Nichol about the influences which led her to become a wiccan, adapting wiccan rituals for New Zealand's seasons and overcoming stereotypes about witches.