Eight part history of the Christian faith, looking at its origins, development and turbulent past. High profile British personalities examine a religion that has particular resonance for them. Channel 4 series, not the BBC one. Ours is said to be a Godless age, yet billions remain faithful to religions thousands of years old. This provocative eight part series explores the history and global impact of the world’s biggest religion through the personal views of leading British figures. Over the course of the series, eight high profile personalities including Michael Portillo, Rageh Omaar, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Cherie Blair, look at the origins and history of the Christian faith. In each film the presenter addresses a subject that means something particular to them. In doing so, they bring their own perspectives to a challenging and comprehensive debate that explores Christianity’s role in shaping the modern world. Episode 5 Reformation – Ann Widdecombe MP personal view of the reformation, a moment in time she describes as one of the saddest periods in Christian History. Nearly five centuries ago, the Reformation split the medieval Church into competing Catholic and Protestant factions. Ancient customs were abolished, the Pope was declared the Antichrist and Christian killed Christian in the name of their faith as religious wars and massacres raged. Ann was brought up as a Protestant in the Church of England but later in life converted to Catholicism. In her search for the causes of the Reformation, Ann sets out to learn more about the turbulent years that saw merciless intolerance drive a bitter divide between Catholics and Protestants. Beyond the battles of kings, popes and theologians Ann explores how the Reformation came to affect the common people and why it led to many religious breakthroughs from attacks on church corruption to the translation of the Bible into English.
