Uploaded November 2009 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago

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Noughts and Crosses

With the domination of Christianity from 500 AD, Jonathan Miller wonders how disbelief began to re-emerge in the 15th and 16th centuries. He discovers that division within the Church played a more powerful role than the scientific discoveries of the period. He also visits Paris, the home of the 18th century atheist, Baron D'Holbach, and shows how politically dangerous it was to undermine the religious faith of the masses.

Episode 2 (1-6) "Noughts and Crosses"
Part 1 You Are Here
Part 2 youtube.com/watch?v=AUGgK70T9X4
Part 3 youtube.com/watch?v=26LAZos0eUw
Part 4 youtube.com/watch?v=CWBBahIlC2k
Part 5 youtube.com/watch?v=C9Q70OU1WJk
Part 6 youtube.com/watch?v=MQOske6DqAg

Episode 1 (1-6) "Shadows of Doubt"
Part 1 youtube.com/watch?v=pGq7bzAzFoM
Part 2 youtube.com/watch?v=aN_Co_9QrnQ
Part 3 youtube.com/watch?v=P1CWQScFdas
Part 4 youtube.com/watch?v=Gj6UBylMG0A
Part 5 youtube.com/watch?v=9bMYiLjaZTY
Part 6 youtube.com/watch?v=H8tSNsQEL1A

Episode 3 (1-6) "The Final Hour"
Part 1 youtube.com/watch?v=GeHbP35gu5Y
Part 2 youtube.com/watch?v=BFOO7LgcZSg
Part 3 youtube.com/watch?v=6n4A_UPjZSw
Part 4 youtube.com/watch?v=qSWxrrMAx0I
Part 5 youtube.com/watch?v=Kd8CcHx5F50
Part 6 youtube.com/watch?v=ciImsPFzgUk

BBC Four write-up
bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/atheism.shtml

IPF - A Brief History of Disbelief homepage
abriefhistoryofdisbelief.org