Why Do We Need the Devil?
Fewer people than ever believe in a literal devil, but some writers and theologians have recently suggested that the myth is a useful one. Mark Tully asks why.
Does the idea of the devil fulfil a useful social purpose? Mark Tully investigates the arguments for myth, for belief in the diabolic and the need for the concept of evil personified.
Mark talks to Canon Ralph Godsall in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey about the apparent reluctance in some religious circles to discuss the devil. He asks whether humanity really needed the idea of the devil in the first place and whether it can help us come to terms with social evils.
The programme includes a broad range of readings from authors including Imtiaz Dharker, Oliver Lansky and Mikhail Bulgakov - and there's music from Stravinsky, Stephen Sondheim and The Charlie Daniels Band.
The readers are Cyril Nri, Francis Cadder and Jane Whittenshaw.
Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for ±«Óătv Radio 4.
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Music and Readings
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Composer: Joseph Hayden
Title: The Creation
Performer: Helmuth Rilling
Label: Hansler Classic
Album: Die Schopfung: The Creation
Composer: Hildegard Von Bingham
Title: Ordo Virutum, Part IV
Performer: Vox Animae
Album: The Soul’s JourneyÂ
Composer: Charlie Daniels / Charlie Hayward / Fred Edwards / James Marshall / Taz DeGregorio / Tom Crain
Title: The Devil Went Down To GeorgiaÂ
Label: Rhino
Album: Billboard Top Hits 1979Â
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Title: A Short History of MythÂ
Author: Karin ArmstrongÂ
Published by CanongateÂ
Title: When I Opened My Prayer BookÂ
Author: Martina EvansÂ
Published by Anvil Press PoetryÂ
Title: Office Hymn (Mode VIII And Thomas Tallis)
Performer: The Compline ChoirÂ
Label: Ionian Arts, Inc.
Album: Feathers of Green Gold: The Office of Compline and Ten Psalms
Title: The Master and MargaritaÂ
Author: Mikhail Bulgakov Â
Published by Penguin ClassicsÂ
Title: Part II XI The Devil’s Dance from The Soldier’s Tale  Performer: Northern Chamber Orchestra, Nicholas Ward
Label: NaxosÂ
Album: Stravinsky: Soldier' S Tale (The) / Dumbarton Oaks
Title: Immaculate
Author: Oliver Lansley
Published by Nick Hern BooksÂ
Title: Imtiaz Dahkar
Author: PosessionÂ
Published by Bloodaxe BooksÂ
Broadcasts
- Sun 11 Oct 2015 06:05±«Óătv Radio 4
- Sun 11 Oct 2015 23:30±«Óătv Radio 4