Jonathan Miller looks at the origins of his own lack of belief and the history of scepticism in his Brief History of Disbelief.

What do you think of the series?

Send us your comments using the form on the right and we will publish a selection here.

Please note that there are no plans to release Brief History of Disbelief or The Atheism Tapes on DVD or VHS.

Great programme, exploring an overlooked subject but I dispute Jonathan's assertion that atheism is lack of belief (a disbelief). To my mind, atheism is a conviction that there is no God. And since it cannot be proved, it is a belief. Absence of belief is quite different to belief of absence [of God].
Chris Bashforth, Stockport

Claptrap, presented thoughtfully, scientifically, or even convincingly, is nevertheless still claptrap. I cannot respect the intelligence or learning of someone who thinks that this fantastic universe and the astounding life in all its forms on this planet arose without a blueprint, thought, or rhyme or reason from absolutely nothing. What a fool this man is.
Dennis McGinlay, Doncaster

Jonathan Miller manages to be thoughtful, clever and interesting without once being pretentious. Get him to do something else, please.
Bridget Williamson, East Grinstead

With continual politically correct pandering to faith groups and the government pushing faith schools on us, this type of intelligent TV is needed more than ever. Real public service broadcasting.
D Henderson, London

The discussion of to believe or not to believe is so boring, since it is the same thing, two sides of the same coin. What counts is only what we know, so how does one intelligently approach the unknown? Well, by finding out. And how have people found out about God through the Millenia? In silent contemplation. Has Mr. Miller done that? I very much doubt it.
B Eaglemeare, Exeter, UK

Your selection of emails does not seem evenhanded. Few believers comments (mine included) appear. Is this an atheists only space?
Roland Morris, Bedford

It being sinful to doubt the existence of God, is one of the first teachings of a religion designed to keep control in the hands of the ruling classes. Jonathan Miller has crossed these purely imaginary barriers in his series and given food for thought for all thinking people of the world allowed to watch the series. The BBC at its very best.
Peter Beckwith, London

This programme had me on the edge of my seat - you can double my licence fee just for airing it. I keep looking at this website hoping that the BBC will relent and I will be able to see the 2 episodes that I missed, either on DVD or a repeat. Please advertise any repeat well in advance.
Jack Stokes, Diss

BBC Four: We will be repeating Jonathan Miller's Brief History of Disbelief at some point, but it is not yet definite whether it will be on BBC Two or BBC Four. If you want to make sure you don't miss out you could sign up for our weekly newsletter, which would definitely mention it.

Congratulations to all concerned with the production. How refreshing to have a programme format that allowed time for some intelligent discussion and proper development of ideas.

I found Brief History of Disbelief and the Atheism Tapes enlightening and thought-provoking. Please repeat as soon as possible; how about on BBC One on Sunday morning, say 10.30am? This would certainly upset some zealots and be great promotion for a program that deserves to be seen.
Steve Hollowell, London

This has been a wonderful series. For many years I have wanted to have a good discussion with a priest. I have just watched the last Atheism Tape and understand the need expressed to stand up and be counted. Why is it that we can argue about any other subject but religion is taboo? I was brought up to understand religion and to be a good selfless person but I was never forced to believe in God. I was not however, allowed to say that I did not believe in God. It was not the done thing. Please can we have more on philosophy on television.
Kris Egleton, Driffield, East Yorkshire

This series is the most profound and ground-breaking programme I have ever seen on television.

My own atheism (via a path through Christianity and agnosticism) was confirmed for me by a book by the psychiatrist Irving Yalom called Love's Executioner. Yalom suggests that in his experience with patients there are four fundamental problems that are at the route of all individual human anxiety: fear of one's own mortality, fear of being alone, fear of having to take choices and fear that life is meaningless.

Whilst watching the programme it occurred to me that, if Yalom is correct, then perhaps this explains why so many people persist in believing in a deity and following a religion, any religion, because such a believe solves these four fundamental problems. You will not die because you are eternal. You are not alone because the deity/deities is/are with you. You still have to make choices but you can use the teachings of your religion to guide you in these choices and if you get it wrong you can be absolved through forgiveness and finally, life is not meaningless because the religion of your choice provides meaning.

On the odd occasions when I feel slightly anxious about my atheism and toy with the idea of trying to adopt some religious belief it is usually because I am suffering rather more acutely that usual from one of these anxieties. However, common sense and intellectual reasoning always drag me firmly back to atheist territory.
Ajay Burlingham-Böhr, Cambridge

What a stimulating set of programmes. A refreshing change to have to think whilst watching. Jonathan Miller is so open and natural- genuine is the word. The programmes and atheism tapes HAVE to be videoed and watched again to catch everything. How long can BBC4 continue to resist releasing them? It was such a sensible decision to broadcast the Atheism tapes to give us the benefit of all the interviews.
Chris Morris, Guisborough, UK

Jonathan Miller and BBC Four have done a remarkable job in putting together this compelling and informative series. It is perhaps a comment on the power of the church that sincere examinations like these are not shown earlier in the day. To have a programme all but promoting the Christian religion shown when children may be watching would raise little comment but could the same be said of this programme. I wonder at the BBC's genuine reasons for not producing a DVD of the entire series and interviews. It could, of course, be argued that it would not sell in sufficient quantities to be viable...mmm. There seem to be quite a number of takers if the viewers comments on this site are a reflection. I do hope that BBC Four do, at least, repeat the series. Good work!
Richard Allen, Waterlooville, UK

I saw the conversation between Denys Turner and Jonathan Miller last night and thought it was wonderful, captivating and accurate. Can we please buy copies of the series Brief History of Disbelief and The Atheism Tapes?
Atif Imtiaz, Bradford

I have watched The Atheism Tapes with great interest and enjoyed them very much because they ask and answer the same questions I have been asking for years, but tonight I watched Denys Turner being interviewed and I have to say, what on earth was he talking about? I've never heard so much rubbish in my life, this man talked for half an hour about a question that may or may not exist? He did not answer any questions he just replied with something unintelligible, I have to say that after the program I was none the wiser.
Philip Cleghorne, Birmingham

I caught only the final programme. What a refreshingly illuminating and well argued view. Religious dogma and belief are clearly at the root of so much of the conflict in the world and Jonathan Miller's programme made a very convincing case, putting the history of religious belief and practice into perspective. I too hope that in future, we'll look back on this part of history, in which belief was so common, as a rather odd time! This kind of programming challenges a growing belief of my own: that TV, as an art form, is dead!
Bill C Martin, Doncaster

This series, and even more so, the accompanying Atheism Tapes, has been very enjoyable and stimulated some very deep conversation and debate! Thank you Jonathan Miller, and long may this quality of programming continue - it makes the license fee so worthwhile.
Nigel Dahl, London

A thoroughly challenging and stimulating series. My only criticism so far, is that when interviewing his experts, a number of them have supported their argument about the non existence of God by endowing him/her with human attributes i.e. Vengeance, Munificence, Caring etc. Dr Miller has not challenged them with the question "How can we possibly understand or begin to comprehend the mind of God?" Somewhat akin to amoeba comprehending quantum physics I should not wonder? Of course this predisposes that a belief is held that God is in that league.
William Pilcher, Surrey

I thought the series was excellent and of the high standard expected of the BBC and Jonathan Miller. It was thought provoking at a time when there seems to be a rise in fundamentalist "thinking" affecting policy.
Ian Ringer, Cornwall

...with Jonathan Miller, BBC4 became a place to think.
Emily Martin, Surrey

Thank God for Jonathan Miller!
Julian Pedley, Mansfield

I think it is telling that such a program is relegated to BBC4. Although the population of this country is predominantly atheistic, the state school system and the BBC actively promote religion. My children are taught religious songs every day in assembly, and are told religious stories as if they were based on fact. BBC Radio 2 and 4 have a thought for the day which purposely exclude non-religious 'thinkers'.
James A Huntington, Cambridge

I think the idea behind this programme is excellent; it is about time we had an intelligent discussion on this subject. Also, it is only fair in a free society that we allow atheists to put their case as forcefully and lucidly as possible. However, in many respects the programme is question-begging on a massive scale; it assumes, without argument, that the question of God's existence must be, and can only be, settled in terms of natural theology. But since most Christians, and other religious believers, do not believe in the "God of the Philosophers" - do not, in fact, think he exists - then such argumentation misses the whole point of what divides believers and non-believers.
Dr David Sarsfield, Leeds

This is the sort of series which sets the BBC apart from all other broadcasters. I can only hope it is repeated on BBC 2. It deserves the widest possible audience.
Jason Spratt, Limerick, Ireland

Brilliant television. Like BBC2 used to feel. A worthy heir to Clarke and Bronowski, though I could do with more on the distinction between agnosticism and atheism. Atheism, like faith, is unprovable and, therefore, too much like faith itself. Also an intelligent question to explore is: though we can live without God, gods, souls, spirits and supernatural agencies, can we live without a notion of the sacred?
Kim Harris, London

It is surely undeniable that religious belief is largely responsible for the current dire situation in Iraq as well as the 'War on Terror'. This applies to both sides in these conflicts. The role of fundamentalist religious belief in terrorism is explicit and obvious. On the other side, I am sure that the tendency for devout people like Blair and Bush to see their way of life as godly and that of others as belonging to an 'axis of evil' lies behind the disastrous decisions they have both made to date.
John, London

Being a crypto-atheist, I am disturbed by what philosopher McGinn did not say. Because in science we do work to some degree in metaphysics, and that to simply take positivism as the sum total world-view would be just as much blind faith as a slack-jawed believer's sum total world-view. I know that a lot of people in science fear this argument (and rightly so), because of the fact that followers of supernatural ideas end up exploiting it. However, that should not put us off from accepting that we have some loose ends.
Gordon Shippey, Middlesbrough

It is a serious programme and of a quality that has been too often missing from the BBC of late years. However, I was disappointed with the slightly snide comments about belief in God in the first programme. I feel that Jonathan Miller is engaged with disbelief in conventional religion and the institutional Churches because there has been no discussion of experiential belief or the validity or otherwise of mysticism. As a sequel I would like to see a series based on Keith Ward's 'God: A Guide for the Perplexed'. This is as sceptical in many ways as the present programme but does come down on the side of a god - but not that of the conventional churches.
Janet, Hay on Wye

Fantastic. At last people have had the courage to start making programmes like this. Jonathan Miller's arguments and points are so clearly made, that it makes one wonder how on earth a logical reasoned person can possibly disagree. It's also refreshing to hear it pointed out that to not believe in an organised religion in no way entails that one is somehow morally deficient. If anything, the reverse would seem to be true!
Matt Whiteley, London

Apart from 'The Office', this is the best thing that has ever been on TV.
Gary Thomas, Leeds

Just saw what I now know to be part two of the series. I thought quality programming of this nature was no longer produced. I enjoyed the fact that Mr Miller championed the burgeoning discourse of disbelief, as opposed to sitting on the fence and belittling both sides of the debate. There was a sensible mix of social history and quotation, so we can see (for instance) that most sceptical thinkers hedged their bets right up to the nineteenth century. Yes, I am a little concerned with the inevitable Euro-centric nature of the documentary, but the lack of self-importance within Mr Miller neatly deflects this problem.
David Eastman, London

Is there going to be a video of this series? Please say that BBC4 will produce a video - this is quality TV, well done BBC4.
Sarah, Surrey

BBC Four: There are currently no plans to release a video/DVD of the series

As a Christian can I just say that Jonathan Miller's series is one of the most stimulating I can remember on TV for a very long time. Its about time that his and others views were heard and as other people on this site have said it would be good to see other programmes like this on TV. It should be on BBC2 not BBC4 as it needs to be seen and heard. I'm aware that many people of faith will be horrified but as a practising Christian, indeed a clergy person, I'm very happy to support this it as gives us the chance, the opportunity to think.
Richard, Gloucester

I have listened to both sides of the "God" argument - but unless you have experienced a tangible intervention by a loving God in your life, (and many people have - including myself), any number of words will not be enough to convince you either way. Keep an open heart and mind and treasure the questions you have.
Richard, Billericay

I think Miller deals with the argument against religion very superficially and simplisticly. At a deeper level atheism as a position is completely nonsensical and based on conjecture
Riaz, Leicester

Excellent and thouroughly enjoyable. Great to have something on TV to make us think and talk. Love Jonathan Miller, but are all 'philosophers' really elderly white men? Considering the awful way religions treat women it would be nice to hear some female views too.
Jenny Wilson, Bucks

Congratulations.! What a joy is Jonathan Miller. He stands as a beacon illuminating the shadows. A spokesman for intelligent thought and reasoned argument. Kind and gentle, an example to us all. A compelling program that I will follow with interest. Please please Beeb can we have more programs of this calibre. The gut wrenching mediocrity of most current TV is unbearable.
William Whitman, London

Excellent. I hope the series will explore further the connection between war and religion, going back to the Crusades, the destruction of non-Christian civilsations like the Mayas and the Aztecs, the various religious wars in Europe during the XVI and XVII centuries, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the vitriolic anti-Islamic propaganda war, esp. in the USA.
AM Garrido, Bucks

OK - God is dead - but in philosophical terms, he's been dead a long time and this was taking a cricket bat to swat a fly. A much more interesting question to address would be: 'Is there meaning?' Does the universe have purpose? We know so little - are operating on such limited information (five inadequate senses plus whatever sensory gadgets we've so far been able to come up with). There could be any number of other layers of reality that we are normally quite unable to access. Some people perhaps have an extra-sensitivity to these other layers. We call them mystics. They perhaps call what they perceive 'god'. Now that would be worth taking a look at. And Jonathan might have a harder time debunking it.
Christopher Reason, Hebden Bridge

Super first programme crammed with so much stuff. It's not difficult material, so shame it's not on BBC2 where it'd get a wider airing. There's so much religion in public and political life these days that to hear those quotations from former US presidents was like a breath of fresh air. Bravo. Let's hear it for rationalism and secularism.
Wanda Pratt, London

Just saw the first episode. Not before time is this subject being aired. I was disappointed that Jonathan did not mention the Cynics in the first episode. They were the ultimate disbelievers. Really looking forward to seeing the rest of the series.
Ian Cutler, Wales

The first programme was interesting but only confirmed what I already knew; Christianity has become so far removed from the true teachings of the Bible that it's not surprising that people don't believe. For instance, the doctrine of the immortal soul is clearly NOT taught in the Bible, along with the trinity, pre-existence of Christ, the devil etc - in fact, nearly all the doctrines of "Modern Christianity" are not to be found in the Bible! The majority of so called "believers" believe in man's own interpretation of the scriptures rather that looking at them for themselves.
Dan Doe, Kent