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 BBC Radio 4.
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Music and Readings
Music
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 Journey
Composer: Charlie Daniels / Charlie Hayward / Fred Edwards / James Marshall / Taz DeGregorio / Tom Crain
Title: The Devil Went Down To Georgia
Label: Rhino
Album: Billboard Top Hits 1979
Readings
Title: A Short History of Myth
Author: Karin Armstrong
Published by Canongate
Title: When I Opened My Prayer Book
Author: Martina Evans
Published by Anvil Press Poetry
Title: Office Hymn (Mode VIII And Thomas Tallis)
Performer: The Compline Choir
Label: Ionian Arts, Inc.
Album: Feathers of Green Gold: The Office of Compline and Ten Psalms
Title: The Master and Margarita
Author: Mikhail Bulgakov
Published by Penguin Classics
Title: Part II XI The Devil’s Dance from The Soldier’s Tale Performer: Northern Chamber Orchestra, Nicholas Ward
Label: Naxos
Album: Stravinsky: Soldier' S Tale (The) / Dumbarton Oaks
Title: Immaculate
Author: Oliver Lansley
Published by Nick Hern Books
Title: Imtiaz Dahkar
Author: Posession
Published by Bloodaxe Books
Broadcasts
- Sun 11 Oct 201506:05BBC Radio 4
- Sun 11 Oct 201523:30BBC Radio 4
