Pollard on Film

This programme, including clips from the film, explores the concept of freedom and its consequences. 

The programme invites discussion of the question "Can we ever be absolutely free?" and sets up any talk about freedom.

Published: 26th September 08
Length: 6.00

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 Suggestion for use

1. Show the first part of the programme - then freeze frame on the question "Can we ever be absolutely free?"
2. Invite people to share their answers with one another.
3. Invite feedback and discuss what our answers tell us about:
   • our view of freedom - what does it mean to be absolutely free, how can this be acheived, and should it be our aim?
   • our view of the world - is everything that happens already determined, or can our choices influence the way our lives turn out? Does the society we live in affect the extent to which we can be free?
   • our view of God - is there something beyond our material existence? Does the existence of God make us more free or less free?
4. Show the rest of the programme
5. Deliver a short talk lifting off from the suggestion to look at Biblical ideas of how we should use the freedom we have, expressed in  Galatians 5:1-13 - illustrating with contemporary quotes about freedom, duty and consequences (NB these links into the large collection of relevant Bible references and contemporary quotes are free to anyone with a subscription to Tools for Talks - non-subscribers can obtain immediate access with a 1 year or 30 day subscription). Your talk could also look at the difference between the freedom the world desires and the freedom offered through Christ.

Background reading

Before using this programme you may find the following helpful:

• An article on the book How to be free (by Tony Watkins)
• An article on truth and freedom (by Nick Pollard)
• Wikipedia articles on people and ideas mentioned in the programme (NB we cannot vouch for the accuracy of any content in wikipedia):
  • On Liberty