Disagreeing well on science, faith and the big questions of life

Uncommon Ground, a video and podcast series launched earlier this year, brings together leading thinkers with widely different views to talk about science, faith, ethics, and culture. The series is hosted by Justin Brierley, a seasoned moderator of debate between protagonists whose views are frequently locked in conflict.

Says Brierley: ‘Conversations matter, but today’s polarised echo chambers are making it harder for us to hear each other. Uncommon Ground creates space to disagree well – aiming to establish curiosity, clarity, and genuine understanding across the polarities that can divide us.’

Each episode features two big thinkers with profoundly different views in conversation with each other. All the episodes can be found on the Uncommon Ground landing page.

In the first episode, the world’s most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sat down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. The two men were asked to summarise each other’s views, which led to Dawkins thanking Williams: ‘That is exactly what I feel, and thank you very much for putting it much better than I could put it!’

Ten episodes are currently available, as videos and podcasts, covering issues such as freedom and slavery, Genesis and science, the universe and Quantum physics, God and the Big Bang, pro-life and pro-choice, Christianity and gay relationships.

The series is produced by Justin Brierley’s Think Faith, which creates conversations on science, faith, theology and culture.