Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Don Cupitt, one of Britain’s leading Christian philosophers, once described by the Church Times as 'an ecclesiastical version of Tony Benn', marks 40 years since the broadcasting of his seminal 1984 series, The Sea of Faith.
Cupitt’s thought-provoking and challenging approach invited everyday viewers, as well as members of the Anglican clergy itself, to confront the reality of falling church attendances in the UK and to explore why and how attitudes to religion had changed over the years.
Here, Cupitt recalls the impact of the series at a time when a programme dealing with major issues could still make the front cover of the Radio Times and considers where such debate is taking place today.
Don Cupitt, one of Britain’s leading Christian philosophers, once described by the Church Times as 'an ecclesiastical version of Tony Benn', marks 40 years since the broadcasting of his seminal 1984 series, The Sea of Faith.
Cupitt’s thought-provoking and challenging approach invited everyday viewers, as well as members of the Anglican clergy itself, to confront the reality of falling church attendances in the UK and to explore why and how attitudes to religion had changed over the years.
Here, Cupitt recalls the impact of the series at a time when a programme dealing with major issues could still make the front cover of the Radio Times and considers where such debate is taking place today.
