Ziya Miral: global conflict and religion's role

Does religion shape violence or does violence shape religion?

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

a dirt barricade blocks a cross roads, behind which stands a roadside cross

A crossroads in Ukraine.

Jonny Gios on Unsplash.

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Is John Lennon right, would all wars cease if religion were to vanish? And, finally, what is the theology of conflict? These are topical, real-time, questions – all of which are explored in this episode of GodPod, with the help of Dr Ziya Meral.

Ziya is a lecturer in International Studies and Deplomacy at SOAS (School of African and Oriental Studies), researcher and advisor specialising in global conflict and the role of religion.

For Ziya’s book: How Violence Shapes Religion: Belief and Conflict in the Middle East and Africa : Meral, Ziya: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Podcast

Creed

Migration

Podcasts

Politics

6 February 2025

1 min read

Jesus, the refugee? New GodPod episode

Barnabas Aspray joins the hosts to dig into the theology of migration.

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

Refugees stand at the back of an open truck.

Sam Mann on Unsplash.

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Mass immigration and forced migration is one of the most talked about topics of the moment – it’s dominating the headlines, fuelling political conversation, causing division and trickling its way into every sphere of society. With Christians sitting on all sides of all possible opinions, this episode of GodPod sees Graham, Jane, and Mike joined by specialist, Dr Barnabas Aspray. Join them as they dig into some of the theology of migration.

Barnabas is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, at St Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore. Find out more about his research interests.