Sunday Feature

Ideas - The British Version

Sunday 29 June 2008 22:10-23:00 (Radio 3)

Series exploring the origins of British intellectual traditions and their subsequent influence here and abroad.

Duration:

50 minutes

Playlist:

1/3. Historian and broadcaster Tristram Hunt examines the English philosopher John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration and follows its influence across history and the world. Written in 1689 at a time of Protestant persecution, Locke's work called for a new understanding of the relationship between religion and the state.

Tristram visits Holland - where Locke wrote the Letter in exile - to hear about religious tolerance there and how it compared with contemporary England.

Many Huguenots had fled religious persecution in France and he also visits one of their churches in London - which now functions as a mosque - to see what effect Locke's thinking had on the English establishment and faith communities of the 17th century as well as assessing its relevance today in multi-faith Britain.

Sunday Feature

Episode and Playlist Information

• 6 Jul 08 The Rise of Socialism
• 29 Jun 08 Locke and Tolerance
• 22 Jun 08 China and Minorities
• 15 Jun 08 China's piano fever
• 8 June 2008 Two Skulls
• 1 June 2008 Robert Rauschenber
• 25 May 08 DH Lawrence

Sunday Feature pages