The Work
In 1984 the Cambridge philosopher of religion Don Cupitt wrote and narrated the six part BBC 1 TV series, ‘The Sea of Faith’. The series, broadcast on a Saturday evening, earned Cupitt fame and notoriety in equal measure. Some were horrified that an Anglican priest could promote what looked like a rejection of the most important beliefs of the Christian faith. Others found his ideas inspiring and pertinent, leading to the formation of the Sea of Faith Movement, which held its first annual conference in 1988, and continues to this day. Cupitt’s book, Taking Leave of God, presents in popular form some of the most important ideas of Cupitt’s new, non-realist, theology. Cupitt argued that theologians needed to respond to the new scientific environment of the Modern era and adapt their beliefs accordingly. To the many who responded to the book, his ideas looked more like a rejection of belief in God although Cupitt always believed he could remain an Anglican priest with integrity.
Speaker
Professor Graeme Smith is Professor of Public Theology at the University of Chichester. He has written widely on social, political and cultural theology including a book entitled A Short History of Secularism and articles on Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and the 2015 General Election. He is currently a lead investigator on a major five year research project entitled ‘Progressive Christianities: Don Cupitt, the Sea of Faith Network and the Future of Radical Theology 1963-2024’. The project will lead to the first intellectual biography of Cupitt as well as a series of academic articles and popular presentations.
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