The Fundamentalists was a channel 4 programme presented by Mark Dowd, exploring the rise and increase of religious fundamentalism in the world. He warned about the dangers of reading sacred texts without interpretation. It made sombre watching as I read earlier today Bush's latest rhetoric. It's repeated tonight (Wednesday morning) at 2.45am for those who are interested. It's so good to see intelligent programming like this. On Bush and 9/11, I'm still unsure how to respond to it. This Saturday, 7pm Tony Robinson presents The Doomsday Code, which will investigate the people with powerful political friends in the White House, who are trying to bring about the end of the world, as prophesied in the Book of Revelation.
I've also just finished reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It's a fantastic story, although it took me a while to get going. If you've not come across it, it's a story of two magicans living in the early 19th century as they try to return magic to England.
I only caught the last half of Mark Dowd's Programme; I did think the content was too broad to be overly hopeful (leading to big generalisations). That said, I agree that it is good to see such programmes on TV, particularly as it was a pretty good time-slot.
Thanks for the head's up on this Saturday's programme.
Posted by: Richard | September 12, 2006 at 10:21 PM
I think the kind of depth of progamme that some of us might like will always find it difficult to make its way onto our screens. I thought they took a complex issue and made a thought-provoking and on the whole well-balanced programme that would help most people if will not have read Karen Armstrong's Battle for God or other type of books.
Posted by: andy goodliff | September 13, 2006 at 11:24 AM