Secondary Catalogue

Adoniram Judson and his wife Ann were the first missionaries from the United States. The young couple set out for Burma where they worked to reach souls in a land where professing Christ would mean certain death. When religious leaders falsely accused Adoniram of spying, Burma’s ruthless king threw him into prison, leaving Ann and her unborn child to struggle alone. Will Adoniram escape death and reunite with his wife and child? Will their Bible translation, the only one of its kind, be lost forever? Show Less

As little Preena is snatched away from the most gentle woman she has seen in months, she wonders how she will ever again find a way out of the temple, where she is held against her will. How will she find the missionary known as Amy Carmichael, the one who wears a cross and serves a different sort of God? Meanwhile, Amy is also consumed by the awful truth she has learned about the plight of the "temple girls". Will Amy's faithful determination be enough to free Preena from the powerful customs and superstitions that keep her hostage? Show Less

Bright, young Augustine thinks his mother’s religion is foolishness. With his “superior” intellect to guide him, he sneaks away from home and ventures to a new life in the city of Rome. Soon Augustine finds himself in an important position as “The Voice of The Emperor”, with the life of luxury he’s always wanted. When the empire decides to take over the Christian basilica, Augustine prepares to give the speech of a lifetime, one that will slow the rising tide of Christianity’s influence. With his devout mother and the unwavering Bishop Ambrose on one side and angry, armed soldiers on the other, Augustine must choose whom he will serve. Show Less

"We live in a Christian country"... or do we? Christianity might be the religion that most Australians nominate as their faith, but what does being a Christian mean? There are many different ways in which people practise their Christian faith and in this Australian-made, curriculum fit programme we meet an average Christian teenager, Caleb Vines, and discover how his faith impacts on his everyday life. We explore the beliefs and principles of Christianity, the importance of the Bible, various forms of worship, and sacred structures. This is a rare opportunity to see through the eyes of a young person living out a faith that dates back thousands of years, in contemporary Australian society. Show Less

This programme provides a remarkable insight into the lives of practising Jewish teenagers and their families as they go about everyday life in modern Australia. Keren Black and Anton Boroda take viewers into their homes, their Synagogue and to various other places where their lives and faith are played out. It explores the meaning and importance of their faith and spirituality to them, including the significance of the Torah, important festivals and events such as Passover, Sukkoth, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Bat Mitzvah. Other elements of the Jewish faith are also examined including kosher foods, holy sites and in particular the significance of Jerusalem to Jewish people. It provides a rare opportunity for students to look into the lives of young people living out a faith that dates back thousands of years, in contemporary Australian society. Show Less

Multicultural nations like Australia are home to people from many cultures and backgrounds – which means many different religions are also practiced. In Australia, Islam has grown in prominence as more people from Muslim countries make Australia their home. As is the experience of all religions, assumptions and misconceptions can lead to stereotyping and an incomplete understanding of how different people express their beliefs and values. This programme looks at being Muslim in Australia through the eyes of two teenagers – Mohammed and Jazra. Mohammed moved to Australia from Iraq when he was age five, and Jazra, who originates from Sri Lanka, moved here when she was four, so both have grown up through primary and secondary years of schooling in their adopted country. We look in depth at the lives of Mohammed and Jazra, and discover how their faith plays out in their everyday existence. In particular the five pillars of Islam – Shahadah, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat and Hajj are explored. The programme chapters cover what Muslims believe; ritual and worship; sacred places; sacred times; and Islam through our eyes. This programme is an excellent learning resource for junior, middle and upper secondary students of Religion, Social Studies and other Humanities areas, where a study of culture and cultural practices is made. Show Less

Perspectives on bioethics are morally and ethically complex. Even greater complexity comes into the question when the views of individuals and institutions are based on religious beliefs. With contributions from a number of religious leaders, this video examines various perspectives on contraception, IVF, abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research and animal testing through the eyes of the Islamic, Christian and Buddhist faiths. Show Less

Corrie ten Boom and her family are masters of their craft; they repair broken watches and return them safely to their owners. But as the evil of World War II sweeps through their city, a new kind of “watch” comes to their care: an innocent Jewish baby, desperately needing protection from the cruelty of the new Nazi regime. How will the ten Booms keep this baby and many others out of harm’s way, and what will be the cost of serving God amidst unthinkable evils? When faith is tested, hope is tried, and love is strained, will Corrie’s God prevail? See her amazing story of courage, sacrifice, and forgiveness anew through this gripping episode of The Torchlighters. Show Less

In this short animation, students learn how Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama journeyed from Tibetan farm boy to global religious leader, changing the world for the better, by developing and exhibiting empathy for other people. When children learn about inspirational people who embody key global competencies and traits, like equality, empathy, curiosity and communication, they are inspired to become the change they want to see. Show Less

Pressure to follow public opinion couldn't get much stronger. National hero Eric Liddell is Scotland's pride and joy. The entire country is eager for their running celebrity to sprint past the rest of the world and bring home Olympic gold in the 100-meter race. But when Eric makes the stunning announcement that he won't race on Sunday because of his religious convictions, he is soon labeled a disgrace and a traitor. See how Eric's famous stand during the 1924 Olympics prepares him for even greater challenges as a missionary to China during World War II. Show Less

Designed for students who are tackling the subjects of evil and suffering in relation to the existence of God this film offers examples of what could be perceived as ‘suffering’ in the world today and explores the meaning of ‘suffering’ from a religious point of view. Comment from eminent ethicists and professional journalists discussing some of the more controversial incidents in recent years makes this resource the starting point for informed and stimulating debate. Show Less

George Müller lived on radical prayer, depending on God to supply all his needs instead of asking others for help—even in his most desperate situations. By the time God opened his eyes to the neglected street children and the horrors of the workhouses, Müller did what he had always done: he prayed and trusted God to accomplish the impossible. In this 18th episode of the Torchlighters, discover God's miraculous provision and the power of prayer as Müller cared for 10,000 orphans over the span of 50 fruitful years. Show Less

With war raging about her and soldiers closing in, the wounded missionary Gladys Aylward sets out on the most difficult journey of her life - a 100-mile trek over the mountains to a safe haven. But it's not her own safety that concerns this little woman with big faith. It's the safety and well being of the 100 orphaned children in her care. Watch as Gladys' strength and faith are stretched to the limit, all for the sake of the children. Show Less

For centuries slavery reigned in parts of America, forcing an entire people into a lifetime of suffering and servitude. Living under the thumb of this oppressive system, young Harriet Tubman prayed ceaselessly that she and her family would be set free. Little did she know, God would use her and her resolute faith in Jesus to rescue not only her own family, but hundreds of other enslaved African-Americans as well. Discover how Harriet followed God, became the Moses of her people, and persevered despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles in this latest episode of The Torchlighters. Show Less

What is the difference between Theravada and Mahayana? Why are elephant motifs found in temples? What is a mantra? This programme investigates these questions and more by taking a look at Buddhist symbolism, rituals and practices. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the core beliefs of Buddhism and the importance of temples in worship and devotion. Show Less

How were churches built? What symbols can be found inside? What happens during Mass? This programme explores these questions and more through a historical and contemporary lens, from the history of church design to the ceremonies carried out in a church. Learners will gain insight into Catholic practices and rituals and the role of the physical structure of a church in facilitating worship. Show Less

How do mandalas feature in the floor plan of a mandir? Who conducts a puja service? What does aarti involve? This programme answers these questions and others through an exploration of Hindu religious beliefs and rituals. Viewers will learn about the ways in which Hindus show their devotion towards deities and how mandirs are designed to accommodate these expressions of faith. Show Less

Where does the term ‘mosque’ come from? In which direction does the mihrab face? What does wudu involve? This programme investigates these questions and others by taking learners through a mosque to experience the rituals performed by Muslims. Viewers will learn how aspects of the mosque represent the core beliefs of Islam and why this is important for people of faith. Show Less

What is a guru? Why do Gurdwaras have four doors? What food is served during services? This programme explores these questions and more by tracing the history of Sikhism and looking at the rituals that serve as expressions of faith. Learners will be transported inside a Sikh service and understand how the Gurdwara serves as a place of worship. Show Less

Where is the ark in a synagogue? How many candles are in a menorah? When does Shabbat take place? This programme looks into these questions and more by investigating the sacred objects found in a synagogue and the services that are held within. Learners will come away with an understanding of Jewish rituals and practices and the important role that the synagogue plays. Show Less

Although IVF has been around for over 30 years, it is still a matter of debate today for a variety of reasons. With IVF clinics, the ethical questions arise from the fact that new lives are being created by the doctors and nurses involved. The welfare of the unborn child must be considered. Should unmarried couples get treatment? What about those where one partner has children from a previous relationship? Other questions can also arise, such as whether parents should be able to select the gender, eye colour, hair colour or any other feature of their child. This can include selecting children in order for them to be suitable as donors (bone marrow, kidney) for older siblings. These issues are not dealt with by individual ethics committees but are instead decided by the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority). This government organisation inspects and regulates fertility clinics in the UK. This video investigates the range of issues surrounding IVF treatment, considering both religious and moral perspectives, alongside the current legislation and practice in Britain. Show Less

The year was 1956. From the steamy jungles of Ecuador, news spread around the world that five young American men were mercilessly killed by members of the Auca tribe (now known as the Waodani) - a people those young men had gone to serve and befriend. That seemingly senseless tragedy a half century ago has become an inspirational marvel as that same tribe is now friends with the families of those they killed! This is the story of one of those brave torchlighters - Jim Elliot. Jim Elliot spent his youth preparing to share the Gospel with those who'd never heard it. But nothing could have prepared him for the dangers and challenges he'd face in the jungles of Ecuador. The remote Auca tribe was suspicious and antagonistic toward even the most friendly of gestures from outsiders. Would Jim and his fellow missionaries ever be able to break down the hostile barriers and carry a torch of faith to this savage people determined to attack all outsiders? In this inaugural Torchlighters episode we follow Jim's adventures from his college years to his work in the jungles, showing young people his faith in action as he answers God's call to do the seemingly impossible. Show Less

John Bunyan spends his days in prison, separated from his wife and children. Living in the cold, stone cell is the price he pays for going against the established state religion. If only he would agree to stop preaching, John could walk out a free man! Why does he choose to stay in jail, and how will he serve his Lord in this wretched place? Find out in this episode of The Torchlighters. Show Less

When young John Wesley is miraculously saved from his family’s burning home, his mother is certain that God has a great purpose for the boy's life. John will later refer to himself as a “brand plucked from the burning”. As a man, Wesley tries to live out that special purpose on his own strength and good works, but it only brings frustration and failure. Finally, after years of struggle, Wesley embraces saving grace! But his new message is not welcome in the established churches. Will John break all the rules and take his message outside the church walls to the needy and outcast? Find out in this action-packed episode of The Torchlighters, featuring the founder of the Methodist movement. Show Less

In a world ruled by the church, all it took was one little nail, one well-written scroll, and one sharp-tongued monk to turn everything upside-down! Martin Luther didn’t mean to spark the Reformation with his 95 Theses, but his realisation that salvation comes through faith and not works ignited the revolution that changed the world. As Pope Leo X hounds and fights him at every turn, will Luther have the courage to stand strong—even to death? Find out with the fifteenth episode of the Torchlighters, commemorating the Reformation! Show Less