TOK: Religious knowledge systems
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The man who was a whale’s breakfast (nearly)
Could the Bible story of Jonah be true? Today, lobster fisherman Michael Packard is counting his blessings after a humpback whale off the coast of America nearly swallowed him whole.
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China guilty of Uighur ‘dystopian hellscape’
Is China guilty of genocide in Xinjiang? Yesterday the New York Times declared that China was committing “the ultimate crime” against its Muslim ethnic Uighurs. China bitterly denies it.
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Death threats for thinkers who deny free will
Is free will an illusion? This week it was reported that a growing chorus of scientists now agrees that humans have no real choice. But outraged critics feel it robs their lives of meaning.
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Lost masterpiece reveals truth about Nazis
Can novels teach us more than history? Reviewers claim a rediscovered novel from Nazi Germany captures the truth of its time better than almost any other work. Can fiction be “truth”?
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Easter film shows Jesus as African refugee
If Jesus returned today, would he be a migrant? In a highly imaginative film being shown over Easter, a reinterpretation of the life of Jesus plays out in a disturbing 21st-Century context.
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The nun who became a symbol of resistance
Is moral courage stronger than physical force? A photograph of a nun pleading with police in Myanmar not to use violence against demonstrators reminds us of the power of peaceful protest.
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‘China locked us up like animals…’
Is China guilty of genocide? Despite growing calls for it to be held accountable for seeking to eradicate Uighur Muslims, some countries are unwilling to accuse the nation outright.
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Manchester’s Mother Teresa set for sainthood
Does religious faith give you special moral courage? Few argue with Elizabeth Prout’s incredible, selfless commitment. But some say that it would be impossible without a deep faith in God.
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The raven and the tower: an omen returns
Are omens useful? As the queen of the ravens vanishes, a prophecy foretells the end of the United Kingdom. Some call this fantasy, but others say there is wisdom in listening to the birds.
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Shakespeare caught up in antisemitism row
Was Shakespeare antisemitic? His play The Merchant of Venice has long attracted accusations of racism – and now a new book by Michael Morpurgo has reignited the controversy.
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Taking Christmas advice from ancient Rome
Is giving really better than receiving? As people across the world spend billions on Christmas presents, a leading Roman philosopher’s thoughts on the subject have never been more relevant.
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Reboot Santa! Christmas rebels call for change
Is it time to rethink Christmas? The festival evolves gradually every year as new traditions are adopted – and now some argue it has changed so much that it needs to be reinvented.
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Christmas saved but many ask if it’s worth it
Do people really want a lockdown break? The UK is to announce a five-day Christmas amnesty tomorrow. Many other governments plan similar moves. But will they live to regret the consequences?
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The stubborn roots of modern anti-Semitism
Will the world ever be free of it? A new report into anti-Semitism in the British Labour Party has led to the suspension of its former leader – but some see a much more intractable problem.
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Star-gazing prophet sparks astrology row
Is astrology just harmless fun? Supporters think that it can comfort people who are afraid of the future, but sceptics fear that it encourages the gullible to choose fantasy over reality.