Synopsis
Angels over battlefields, the birth of the welfare state, US evangelism and a revolution in sexual freedom are all factors in the evolution of today's largely secular society. The Rev Peter Owen -Jones examines the final battle for Britain's soul.
- Programme: The Battle for Britain's Soul
- Series: 2
- Episode: 4: Endgame
- Channel: BBC Two
- Broadcast year: 2005
- History
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
More clips from 02

S2E1: The Church in Danger | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E1: The Church in Danger | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The 18th century was a time of great upheaval, with forces old and new poised to attack the established Protestant...

S2E2: Power to the People | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E2: Power to the People | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The Rev Peter Owen-Jones explains how Victorian Britain marked a real turning point in religion, as a growing numbe...

S2E3: Burning Belief | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E3: Burning Belief | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The emergence of secularism in the 20th century presented the Church with an unprecedented test and provoked a critical ...

S2E1: The Church in Danger | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E1: The Church in Danger | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The 18th century was a time of great upheaval, with forces old and new poised to attack the established Protestant...

S2E2: Power to the People | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E2: Power to the People | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The Rev Peter Owen-Jones explains how Victorian Britain marked a real turning point in religion, as a growing numbe...

S2E3: Burning Belief | The Battle for Britain's Soul
S2E3: Burning Belief | The Battle for Britain's Soul
The emergence of secularism in the 20th century presented the Church with an unprecedented test and provoked a critical ...
More resources about The welfare state and NHS

Exploring the Past: Post War Britain
Exploring the Past: Post War Britain
Six young people trace their family histories to find out what life was like in post-war Britain, discovering how society has changed.

Modern British History | GCSE Bitesize Revision
Modern British History | GCSE Bitesize Revision
Exam revision programme focusing on the Liberal reforms, women's suffrage, the Home Front, the General Strike, the Depression...

Post-war Britain - the development of the National Health Service (NHS) | Exploring the Past: Post War Britain
Post-war Britain - the development of the National Health Service (NHS) | Exploring the Past: Post War Britain
Kirsty investigates how the newly formed NHS saved the life of...

Postwar: 1: The Rejection | Politically
Postwar: 1: The Rejection | Politically
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age. Why did Winston Churchill find himself so decisively r...

Postwar: E11: Homes for Heroes | Politically
Postwar: E11: Homes for Heroes | Politically
In the end, the election was fought and decided over two main issues: demobilisation and housing.

Postwar: E2: Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee | Politically
Postwar: E2: Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee | Politically
With the war in Europe at an end, Churchill and Attlee became fierce election rivals.

Postwar: E3: The Beveridge Report | Politically
Postwar: E3: The Beveridge Report | Politically
William Beveridge's plan was an answer to the question of what we were fighting for.

Postwar: E4: Public Opinion | Politically
Postwar: E4: Public Opinion | Politically
How could politicians know what voters were thinking in 1945?

Postwar: E5: The Soldiers' Election | Politically
Postwar: E5: The Soldiers' Election | Politically
During the 1945 election, there were still almost five million servicemen and women.

Postwar: E6: Appealing to Women | Politically
Postwar: E6: Appealing to Women | Politically
How did the election reflect the dramatically changed working lives of women?

Postwar: E7: The Labour Manifesto | Politically
Postwar: E7: The Labour Manifesto | Politically
Uniquely in modern British history, the 1945 Labour Manifesto was a genuine bestseller.

Postwar: E8: Healthcare for All | Politically
Postwar: E8: Healthcare for All | Politically
The war changed many things, and access to healthcare was one of them.

Postwar: E9: Churchill's 'Gestapo' Broadcast | Politically
Postwar: E9: Churchill's 'Gestapo' Broadcast | Politically
Winston Churchill's first election broadcast in 1945 might be remembered as his greatest gaffe.

The NHS: A Difficult Beginning
The NHS: A Difficult Beginning
The story of the birth of the NHS, revealing how close its opponents came to defeating it and why the some of the fiercest opposition came fro...

Welfare State In Action | Panorama
Welfare State In Action | Panorama
A look at Britain's social services, including interviews with Professor Peter Townsend and Anthony Crosland.
More from Peter Owen-Jones

1: China: the Mountain | Extreme Pilgrim
1: China: the Mountain | Extreme Pilgrim
Peter Owen Jones, a Church of England vicar, journeys to a monastery in China to find out what Buddhism can teach him about spiritua...

New Forest: A Year in the Wild
New Forest: A Year in the Wild
Author and environmentalist Peter Owen-Jones spends an enchanting year across all four seasons in the New Forest exploring its wildlife, lands...

1: Australasia and the Pacific Ring of Fire | Around the World in 80 Faiths
1: Australasia and the Pacific Ring of Fire | Around the World in 80 Faiths
Pete travels to Australasia to find out how tribal faiths have survived into the 21st century.

The Lost Gospels
The Lost Gospels
Anglican priest Peter Owen Jones explores the huge number of ancient Christian texts that didn't make it into the New Testament, many of which were both sho...

Was the Glorious Revolution glorious? | The Battle for Britain's Soul
Was the Glorious Revolution glorious? | The Battle for Britain's Soul
A discussion about how the Glorious Revolution had a number of unexpected consequences