Young, Welsh and Pretty Religious
A fresh and eye-opening look at religion and faith in the Welsh Under-30's. Almost three quarters of Wales's one million under-30s have no religious beliefs whatever. 63% of them never pray. 59% never attend a religious service. But what of the 250,000 who do have faith? From a Hari Krishna monk and a niqab-wearing Muslim activist to a bi-sexual Christian and a transgender pagan, we shadow nine young believers from across Wales, following a variety of religions, as they reveal what they believe, why they believe it, and how it impacts on their lives. In a fast and frantic world it isn't easy for the faithful to find the time and space for devotion. But what is day-to-day life like for those whose faith is not just a calling but a full-time occupation? Almost three quarters of Wales's one million under-30s have no religious beliefs whatever. 63% of them never pray. 59% never attend a religious service. But what of the 250,000 who do have faith? In this four-part series we take a fresh and eye-opening look at religion and faith in the Welsh Under-30's. From a Hari Krishna monk and a niqab-wearing Muslim activist to a bi-sexual Christian and a transgender pagan, we shadow nine young believers from across Wales, following a variety of religions, as they reveal what they believe, why they believe it, and how it impacts on their lives.
- 2019-2019
- 1 season
- Documentary, Reality
A fresh and eye-opening look at religion and faith in the Welsh Under-30's. Almost three quarters of Wales's one million under-30s have no religious beliefs whatever. 63% of them never pray. 59% never attend a religious service. But what of the 250,000 who do have faith? From a Hari Krishna monk and a niqab-wearing Muslim activist to a bi-sexual Christian and a transgender pagan, we shadow nine young believers from across Wales, following a variety of religions, as they reveal what they believe, why they believe it, and how it impacts on their lives. In a fast and frantic world it isn't easy for the faithful to find the time and space for devotion. But what is day-to-day life like for those whose faith is not just a calling but a full-time occupation? Almost three quarters of Wales's one million under-30s have no religious beliefs whatever. 63% of them never pray. 59% never attend a religious service. But what of the 250,000 who do have faith? In this four-part series we take a fresh and eye-opening look at religion and faith in the Welsh Under-30's. From a Hari Krishna monk and a niqab-wearing Muslim activist to a bi-sexual Christian and a transgender pagan, we shadow nine young believers from across Wales, following a variety of religions, as they reveal what they believe, why they believe it, and how it impacts on their lives.
Season 1 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2019
Episode 1
Episode #1.1
30 mins
In this episode Sahar, determined to be Britain's first niqab-wearing parachute instructor, makes a solo skydive. Hannah invites us into her home to observe all of the rituals, and the food, that goes into the Jewish Shabbat. And Mhara, a transgender pagan, and her partner Matthew perform a spring ritual offering to their gods.
Episode 2
Episode #1.2
29 mins
Religious hate crime in Wales has soared by 40% in the past twelve months. Why are we seemingly such an intolerant nation? And what is it like to be on the receiving end of the abuse? Niqab-wearing Sahar speaks out about being abused on the streets and how she tackles it head on, Hannah talks about the rise in anti-semitism and the lengths the Jewish community have to go to in order to protect themselves, and bi-sexual Christian Will and a group of his LGBT+ friends share their experiences of being rejected by the church.
Episode 3
Episode #1.3
28 mins
28-year-old Father Ross is a newly ordained Church in Wales priest who has gone straight from vicar academy to being responsible for the day-to-day pastoral care of a congregation that ranges in age from 80 to 8 months old. 24-year-old Siwan Reynolds is a bit of a religious magpie and takes her spiritual inspiration from several different religions. Having managed her debilitating epilepsy with the help of meditation, she now offers programmes to primary and secondary schools believing meditation can help alleviate everything from poor concentration to severe stress. Finally, 29-year-old Hare Krishna monk Gopal Roy Das takes to the streets to try to persuade the good citizens of Aberystwyth that reading the Hindu holy book the Bhagavad Gita is the way to true spiritual enlightenment.
Episode 4
Episode #1.4
29 mins
Across all faiths there are over 200 religious festivals observed annually around the UK. In this episode we take in three of them: Hare Krishna monk Gopal guides us through the colourful Hindu Ratha Yatra festival, which celebrates the God Jagannath through music, dance, food and a chariot of gods. Mhara performs the pagan spring ritual of Imbolc, and Father Ross delves into his fantasy DVD collection to inspire a midnight mass sermon with a difference for the most celebrated religious festival in Wales: Christmas. Finally, do you believe in life after death? All nine contributors to the series tell us what they believe happens after we die.