Pennod 2 Cymru: Dal i Gredu?


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Transcript


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-It's a Sunday morning in Felinheli.

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-We're going to chapel.

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-I'm Gwion Hallam.

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-In my work, I travel with a film

-crew, usually behind the camera.

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-This is heavy, Rhys.

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-As I ask whether Welsh people

-still believe in God...

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-..I'll also question my own faith.

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-The fact is,

-I'm not a believer any more.

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-VAN TOOTS HORN

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-They're friendly in Felinheli.

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-As a family,

-we've lived here for many years.

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-This is Bethania chapel

-in Felinheli.

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-As a young man, I was an evangelist.

-I preached on a Sunday.

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-Like so many Welsh people,

-I rarely go to chapel nowadays.

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-There are children here.

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-Sunday School meets upstairs.

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-Are you OK? Can I come in?

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-Can someone like me come in?

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-As I walked in to Bethania...

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-..I realized how much

-my circumstances had changed...

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-..since my first visit.

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-I preached here as a young man.

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-At the time, I preached

-in chapels in North Wales.

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-I don't come often now,

-although I live in the village.

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-That's sad and quite strange.

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-I'm here to witness

-a Christian ceremony...

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-..that still draws people to chapel.

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-I'm happy to be with you...

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-..to baptize two children.

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-You're smiling at me, son!

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-The atmosphere

-is relaxed and light-hearted.

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-The happy parents vow to raise

-their children in the faith.

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-Tell him the Christian story,

-about Christ's love...

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-..the love he gave to us.

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-Are you coming to me?

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-I accept you

-to the Christian church.

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-As a sign of that,

-I baptize you with water.

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-In the name of Father, and of

-the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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-It was a privilege

-to be here with the families...

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-..to celebrate with them...

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-..and present the children to God

-at their baptism.

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-It's difficult to know why

-we didn't baptize our four children.

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-Why didn't Eleri and I baptize them?

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-Is it because

-my faith was once so strong?

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-From believing

-so uncompromisingly...

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-..do I feel detached

-from the culture and tradition?

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-More than anything,

-this morning has proved...

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-..that the Christian traditions

-and customs are thriving.

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-It's another question to ask,

-does Wales still believe?

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-Are traditions and customs enough?

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-Subtitles

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-It's a Monday morning.

-The film crew is picking me up.

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-But there's a problem.

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-Sorry. Come in.

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-I'd forgotten schools

-have an In-Practice Training day.

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-Come in out of the rain. Eleri is

-in school, but the children are not.

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-It could be interesting.

-Are you going to behave, please?

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-Twm has a camera. Two cameras today!

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-I'd planned to see Felinheli

-chapels today.

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-That chapel has gone,

-so has the one on the cover.

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-There is only one chapel here.

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-Moi and Twm don't want

-to be dragged round old chapels.

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-I need a Plan B. Alright, Twm?

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-And stop.

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-Is it any good?

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-Do you want to see?

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-Let's watch it back.

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-Owain, do you want to come

-to Hwylfan this afternoon?

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-OK.

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-Moi was planning our day for us.

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-The baptism was still on my mind.

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-I'm justifying to Rhys,

-the cameraman...

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-..why we didn't

-baptize the children.

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-As an atheist, it isn't an issue.

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-As an atheist, it isn't an issue.

-

-No.

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-They go to Sunday School.

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-Eleri agrees.

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-We don't go to chapel,

-and I don't believe as I used to...

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-..so we feel

-we can't baptize them now.

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-You might have lost your faith,

-but you've held on to your Bibles.

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-Yes. Don't we all?

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-Yes. Don't we all?

-

-No!

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-You must have a Bible, Rhys!

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-You must have a Bible, Rhys!

-

-I don't.

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-Maybe.

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-This is Christ Church in Caernarfon.

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-It's had quite a conversion

-since it closed.

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-Don't think the children

-never attend a chapel or church.

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-You're meeting Owain.

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-Wait, Moi. Remember the rules.

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-Remember the Hwylfan

-Ten Commandments?

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-It was packed. The former church

-is a saviour to parents like me.

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-Have you taken off your shoes?!

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-I'll be in there soon.

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-I'll be in there soon.

-

-I'll take them off here.

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-Not every parent acts like a child.

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-They love running round...

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-..and letting off steam.

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-It's a welcome break for parents.

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-The conversation turned

-to children and baptizing.

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-It remains

-a subject for discussion...

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-..as Nia Parry

-and Bethan Roberts prove.

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-The word 'baptize'

-is a no-go in our house.

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-It's one of those subjects

-where I shut down.

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-I don't want to discuss it

-until they're about fifteen!

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-We baptized Hedd

-when he was about eighteen months.

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-It took place in Aled's parents'

-chapel in West Wales.

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-They go to chapel, his mother

-was in charge of Sunday School.

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-Southwalians!

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-Southwalians!

-

-Cultured!

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-We baptized Hedd...

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-..to appease his grandparents.

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-You're being honest in saying that.

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-It's true. I was baptized.

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-I like the idea of godparents,

-somehow.

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-It's an additional support.

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-I'm a godparent

-to my cousin's children.

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-If something happened to her,

-there's something formal in place.

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-They don't have to be baptized

-to have godparents.

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-We don't have godparents

-and my daughters were baptized.

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-It was clearly important.

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-It was a natural step.

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-There was no pressure

-from our parents.

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-Elfyn and I

-just did what felt right.

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-We were brought up to go to Sunday

-School, we were both received.

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-We had a chapel wedding.

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-Baptizing

-was the natural step for us.

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-Like many parents...

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-..Bethan and her husband didn't

-question baptizing their children.

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-Parents feel it's valuable...

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-..to protect our traditions

-and customs.

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-Protecting the children

-comes naturally to me.

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-It's their wellbeing

-that's important.

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-Am I being selfish

-in not baptizing them?

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-Am I more worried about my own

-hang-ups than my children's futures?

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-Am I depriving them

-of a Welsh tradition...

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-..of being a part of a rich culture?

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-The next mother I met had plenty

-of reasons not to go to chapel.

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-Oasis.

-And for Twm Brain Licker.

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-I knew Beca Brown was an atheist.

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-For some reason,

-she has started to attend chapel.

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-While we were in Hwylfan...

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-..I asked her about it.

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-You haven't baptized the children.

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-You haven't baptized the children.

-

-It never crossed my mind.

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-We didn't as a family.

-I wasn't baptized.

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-My parents were probably baptized.

-They are atheists.

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-We weren't chapelgoers.

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-Chapel didn't feature

-in your childhood?

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-No.

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-But Tomi, my son...

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-..has hinted

-he'd like to be baptized.

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-That came as a shock.

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-Why does he want to be baptized?

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-He feels left out.

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-He said, "Why wasn't I baptized?"

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-I didn't know what to say.

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-You've started going to chapel.

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-You've started going to chapel.

-

-We do go, sometimes.

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-Tomi came home and said...

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-"..Everyone goes to Sunday School

-but me. I want to go."

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-I said, "OK, if you want to go

-to Sunday School, I'll come too.

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-"I can see what's going on."

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-They enjoyed it.

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-They expected it to be

-more religious than it was.

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-Sunday School is fun, they

-play games. It's Lite-Religion.

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-What's Lite-Religion?

-Like Sprite Lite?!

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-They don't push religion

-on children.

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-They're so pleased

-the children are there...

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-..they're careful not to overdo it.

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-They don't want to

-scare them off with faith!

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-What a cynical thing to say!

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-What a cynical thing to say!

-

-I know.

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-Being cynical, do Lite-Religion

-parents baptize children...

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-..because it's a tradition?

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-..because it's a tradition?

-

-I wouldn't judge that.

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-Once you start to judge people

-for what religion means to them...

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-..you are on shaky ground.

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-Everyone has to take from

-religion what they need and want.

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-I'm an atheist, but I go to chapel.

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-I get something out of it.

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-But what do you get?

-Perhaps it's hard to define.

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-Yes.

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-It's good to have

-an hour in the morning...

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-..to gather my thoughts.

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-I'm meeting the older generation

-from the village.

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-The children and I have got to know

-the older generation.

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-Now, we see them in Londis and say,

-"Hello, how are you?"

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-I like the atmosphere there.

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-I like certain preachers

-and some of the sermons.

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-Sometimes, I leave in a foul mood...

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-VOICE OVER TANNOY

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-There's a sermon here now!

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-Moi Llwyd Hallam,

-get down from there!

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-It's nothing to do with us.

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-If they go to chapel,

-it can't have been them!

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-Perhaps Beca is right.

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-Who am I to question her decision

-as an atheist, to go to chapel?

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-But Welsh chapels and churches

-are closing.

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-It's fair to ask...

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-..is going for social reasons

-or in the name of tradition...

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-..enough to stop that?

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

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-I'm on the road again, looking

-for people who still believe in God.

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-Where are we going?

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-To South Wales where Christians

-live! There are some up here too.

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-We're going to Swansea to meet

-Rev Derek Rees, a Baptist minister.

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-This afternoon, after school,

-there's a children's club in chapel.

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-Is that why you brought your guitar?

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-Yes! Is the guitar in the back?

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-It's Sion's guitar. Thanks, Sion.

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-If it's anything like the

-children's club in Llansannan...

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-..when I was

-a Presbyterian youth worker...

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-..I'll have to entertain

-the children.

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-They probably like singing.

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-Do you remember the old classics,

-like Kum Ba Yah?

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-My God Is So Big.

-Three chords and the truth.

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-Three chords and the truth!

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-# My God is so big,

-so strong, so mighty

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-# There's nothing

-that He cannot do #

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-What were the actions?

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-# My God is so big,

-so strong, so mighty #

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-After leaving college, my first job

-was as a Christian youth worker.

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-In Llansannan, Bro Aled,

-I ran weekly children's clubs...

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-..to spread the word.

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-Mrs Lewis isn't here this week.

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-We won't be singing.

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-We're going to learn

-a new song with Gwion.

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-He isn't playing the piano.

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-I can't play the guitar,

-but I'll give it a go.

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-Before we sing, let's pray.

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-One, two, three.

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-Oh, Lord. We give thanks for

-being in the club with our friends.

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-Thanks to everyone

-who is helping us.

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-We're having fun as we learn.

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-Let us enjoy learning a new song.

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-Amen.

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-Amen.

-

-Amen!

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-Everyone stay where you are.

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-I'm a little bit rusty.

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-I haven't done this in years.

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-What do you normally sing?

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-What do you normally sing?

-

-Hei Mistar Urdd.

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-# In your red, white and green,

-we always have fun in your company

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-# Hey, Mr Urdd,

-let's go out for a walk

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-# Let's sing a song

-for the children of Wales

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-# I saw you for the first time

-in the camp by the sea #

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-That was good!

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-What's your name?

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-Charlie.

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-Charlie.

-

-Only Charlie knows the verse!

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-Right, My God Is So Big.

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-# My God is so big,

-so strong, so mighty

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-# There's nothing

-that He cannot do

0:16:050:16:09

-# My God is so big,

-so strong, so mighty

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-# There's nothing

-that He cannot do #

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-Since Derek Rees started

-this work here five years ago...

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-..many youngsters

-have become Christians.

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-Some help him with the club.

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-# So strong, so mighty

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-# There's nothing

-that He cannot do #

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-Thanks.

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-It takes me back.

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-I feel a bit guilty,

-singing as I did so many years ago.

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-Children are lovely.

-They forgive anything.

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-What about you?

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-Elephant.

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-After the singing, more fun.

0:16:560:16:58

-My eagle impersonation skills

-were on trial.

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-A bird, OK.

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-A bird, OK.

-

-What bird, though?

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-Eagle!

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-Eagle!

-

-Yes!

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-OK, Chloe?

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-Then we turned

-to something more serious.

0:17:130:17:17

-They prayed for the world's poor...

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-..and gave thanks

-for the things they enjoyed.

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-While they prayed, I searched

-for the true purpose of the club.

0:17:280:17:33

-There's a baptismal pool

-under here somewhere.

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-Tomos and Gareth, two of the young

-people who are helping tonight...

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-..were baptized here.

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-I want to know more about it.

0:17:470:17:50

-I pretended to be an eagle in there.

-I sang with the children.

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-I don't feel uncomfortable

-about that.

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-On the one hand, it's so innocent.

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-But there's something

-deep and profound...

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-..happening to these young people.

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-That's part of my experience

-in the past.

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-I was young

-when I became a Christian.

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-I was baptized when I was eighteen.

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-I had a baptism by immersion.

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-Sorry, boys. What lovely children.

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-I didn't realize

-you had a baptism by immersion.

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-Yes, like the young people there.

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-There was no baptismal pool in

-our chapel. We weren't Baptists.

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-We used a milk tank.

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-It went round the chapels...

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-..for young people like me

-who wanted to be baptized.

0:18:560:19:00

-I don't remember much about it.

-I had friends and family there.

0:19:010:19:05

-It was a celebration

-of this new life.

0:19:060:19:09

-We were submerged and resurfaced...

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-..symbolizing

-the old person going down...

0:19:120:19:15

-..and being reborn in Christ.

0:19:150:19:17

-A new life,

-a religious conversion.

0:19:170:19:20

-That's why

-I can't baptize the children.

0:19:200:19:23

-Having declared my faith publicly...

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-..I can't baptize

-in the name of tradition alone.

0:19:280:19:32

-That would be hypocrisy.

0:19:330:19:35

-She knows we're coming.

0:19:510:19:53

-In Cardiff, there's a special event

-in the orthodox synagogue.

0:19:550:20:00

-The Chief Rabbi of Britain is

-travelling from London to be there.

0:20:000:20:05

-I've arranged to call on

-a Jewish lady who lives in the city.

0:20:050:20:11

-Tracy Israel has agreed to discuss

-the importance of Judaism to her.

0:20:110:20:16

-Hello, how are you? Tracy?

-It's Gwion.

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-How are you?

0:20:250:20:26

-We're on our way.

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-Sorry we're a little late. Will we

-be there in twenty minutes, Rhys?

0:20:290:20:34

-Yes.

0:20:340:20:36

-We haven't eaten, but we'll be fine.

0:20:380:20:41

-Really.

0:20:420:20:44

-We'll see you shortly.

0:20:440:20:47

-Bye. Thanks. Looking forward

-to meeting you. Ta-ra.

0:20:480:20:52

-The bell works.

0:20:580:21:00

-Tracy.

0:21:040:21:04

-Tracy.

-

-Hello, Gwion. Welcome.

0:21:040:21:06

-Sorry we're late.

0:21:070:21:08

-Sorry we're late.

-

-Don't worry. Come in.

0:21:080:21:10

-Let's go through to the kitchen.

-You said you were hungry.

0:21:120:21:16

-Food would be lovely.

0:21:170:21:19

-I have toasties on the go.

0:21:200:21:22

-It's an obvious question...

0:21:230:21:25

-..but as a Jewish family...

0:21:260:21:28

-..there are things you don't eat.

0:21:280:21:31

-Yes. This isn't a kosher house.

0:21:310:21:34

-What I mean by that is...

0:21:350:21:37

-..we don't have separate kitchens

-for meat and milk.

0:21:370:21:43

-We don't have two ovens

-and two sinks.

0:21:430:21:48

-We don't eat pork.

0:21:490:21:52

-There's never pork in the house...

0:21:530:21:55

-..not only in the house,

-but when we eat out, too.

0:21:560:22:00

-We never eat pork.

0:22:000:22:02

-There are certain fish

-that are not kosher.

0:22:030:22:08

-Swordfish isn't kosher.

0:22:090:22:11

-We don't eat much swordfish

-in Felinheli, either!

0:22:110:22:15

-You were brought up going to chapel

-in Pontyates.

0:22:150:22:20

-Congregationalists in Noddfa,

-Pontyates.

0:22:200:22:23

-I went to Sunday School.

0:22:240:22:24

-I went to Sunday School.

-

-It was a similar childhood to mine.

0:22:240:22:27

-We were Methodists.

0:22:270:22:29

-The denominations

-weren't important to us then.

0:22:300:22:34

-When and why

-did you convert to Judaism?

0:22:340:22:38

-To be honest...

0:22:380:22:40

-..I didn't have

-much experience of Judaism or Jews.

0:22:400:22:45

-When I lived in London...

0:22:460:22:48

-..I worked there

-for thirteen years...

0:22:490:22:53

-..I met Gary Israel.

0:22:540:22:56

-I remember thinking,

-that's an odd name.

0:22:570:23:02

-I realized he was a Jew.

0:23:030:23:06

-I have to say...

0:23:070:23:10

-..at that time...

0:23:100:23:12

-..religion

-wasn't very important to Gary.

0:23:130:23:17

-When we decided to marry...

0:23:170:23:22

-..I began to think about children.

0:23:230:23:31

-I wanted to give something

-to that child.

0:23:310:23:34

-That's what Jack has had.

0:23:340:23:37

-He has had the experience...

0:23:370:23:41

-..of being raised

-in a Jewish family.

0:23:410:23:45

-Gary was shocked

-when I expressed an interest...

0:23:460:23:49

-..in going to the synagogue

-to see what it was like.

0:23:500:23:54

-I have to be honest...

0:23:540:23:56

-..I felt at home

-from the moment I entered.

0:23:560:24:00

-What's the importance

-of your faith to you?

0:24:000:24:03

-A subject this series

-hopes to explore...

0:24:030:24:07

-..is the relationship

-between culture and faith.

0:24:070:24:11

-Do the traditions, food and customs

-sustain your faith?

0:24:110:24:17

-That provides a framework.

-I like to work within a framework.

0:24:180:24:23

-I feel safe,

-knowing there are dos and don'ts.

0:24:230:24:28

-I like to go to the synagogue...

0:24:280:24:30

-..going through the prayer

-and knowing what comes next...

0:24:310:24:35

-..what parts we sing,

-what parts we recite...

0:24:350:24:39

-..in Hebrew or English.

0:24:390:24:42

-I like that feeling.

0:24:430:24:45

-I don't believe in the man

-sitting on a cloud, to be honest.

0:24:450:24:51

-Do you believe in God?

0:24:520:24:54

-Yes. I believe in God. I can't put

-my finger on what I believe God is.

0:24:540:24:59

-God is there.

0:25:000:25:03

-Am I being too black and white?

0:25:030:25:07

-When I was a young man...

0:25:070:25:11

-..the word, the truth was absolute.

0:25:110:25:17

-Are you looking

-for some sort of revelation?

0:25:200:25:25

-Do you want proof?

0:25:250:25:27

-I'm not looking for proof.

0:25:300:25:33

-I think that's what faith is.

0:25:340:25:36

-I'll put these in the toastie.

0:25:360:25:38

-It's a miracle you've done

-that while we've been talking!

0:25:380:25:43

-It was my job to make the tea!

0:25:430:25:45

-Come on, Gwion!

0:25:460:25:48

-It's obvious Tracy

-is a person of faith.

0:25:500:25:53

-The religious traditions,

-the extras I'm critical of...

0:25:530:25:58

-..don't weaken her faith.

0:25:580:26:01

-Rather, they sustain her.

0:26:010:26:04

-.

0:26:050:26:05

-Subtitles

0:26:100:26:10

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:26:100:26:12

-I'm going to the induction service

-of the new Rabbi in Cardiff.

0:26:160:26:20

-I've called to see Tracy Israel.

0:26:210:26:23

-She wanted to show me

-her son's Bar Mitzvah box.

0:26:230:26:28

-It's a record of the ceremony when

-he was accepted into the faith...

0:26:280:26:33

-..at the age of thirteen.

0:26:330:26:35

-This is very traditional.

0:26:350:26:39

-We create a box as a keepsake.

0:26:390:26:42

-Let me show you what's inside.

0:26:430:26:47

-Of course, there are photographs.

0:26:500:26:53

-This is the evening party

-in the Museum.

0:26:530:26:58

-The Museum in Cardiff?

0:26:580:27:01

-The Museum in Cardiff?

-

-Yes.

0:27:010:27:02

-Was the purple cap specially

-for the Bar Mitzvah?

0:27:030:27:07

-No, the theme was Camelot.

0:27:070:27:11

-The parties tend to have a theme.

0:27:110:27:14

-Jack enjoys History.

0:27:160:27:20

-He wanted an Arthurian theme.

0:27:220:27:26

-We chose this colour.

0:27:260:27:28

-This is the kippah.

0:27:290:27:31

-It was handed

-to every man and boy...

0:27:330:27:36

-..who came to the party at night.

0:27:360:27:39

-It says, "To celebrate

-the Bar Mitzvah of Jack Rhys."

0:27:400:27:44

-Kippahs come in every colour...

0:27:440:27:49

-..and all sorts of patterns.

0:27:500:27:54

-I'll show you one I have.

0:27:560:27:59

-We're in Cardiff.

0:28:010:28:05

-This one has

-the CCFC bluebirds emblem.

0:28:060:28:10

-I was born in Swansea.

0:28:100:28:13

-My family are Swansea fans.

0:28:130:28:15

-This subject is more complex

-than Judaism and Christianity!

0:28:150:28:20

-If you go tonight

-to the orthodox synagogue...

0:28:200:28:25

-..you have to wear a kippah.

0:28:250:28:30

-The three of us?

0:28:300:28:32

-Yes. You're in God's house.

0:28:330:28:38

-It's traditional.

0:28:380:28:40

-What bothers me is,

-if I have to wear one...

0:28:410:28:45

-..what will it get attached to?

0:28:450:28:48

-Have a go!

0:28:480:28:50

-The newer ones are more stiff.

0:28:500:28:53

-It just sits on my head?

0:28:530:28:55

-I don't know whether you've noticed,

-but I can't tie it to anything.

0:28:550:29:00

-Try it on.

0:29:000:29:02

-Rest it on the top of your head.

0:29:030:29:06

-It stays on,

-even if you're bald like me?

0:29:070:29:11

-You can get a Velcro strip...

0:29:120:29:17

-..that goes inside the kippah...

0:29:180:29:21

-..to keep the kippah in place.

0:29:210:29:24

-I'll put this back.

0:29:250:29:27

-We'll be given different ones

-on our way in tonight.

0:29:270:29:31

-That's how superficial I can be!

0:29:320:29:35

-I worry about the externals.

0:29:360:29:38

-Tonight in the synagogue...

0:29:450:29:47

-..I hope to see how healthy Judaism

-is in Wales.

0:29:480:29:52

-People like Tracy

-clearly follow the faith.

0:29:520:29:56

-But what about the wider community?

0:29:560:30:00

-Compared to chapels...

0:30:010:30:03

-..how are our country's synagogues

-faring?

0:30:030:30:07

-Good evening.

0:30:150:30:16

-Good evening to you.

0:30:160:30:17

-Good evening to you.

-

-Thanks for the welcome.

0:30:170:30:19

-It was obvious

-that it was a very special occasion.

0:30:200:30:25

-They have come from far and wide...

0:30:370:30:39

-..to witness the induction of

-the orthodox synagogue's new rabbi.

0:30:400:30:44

-Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

-has come from London.

0:30:490:30:53

-This is the place to be...

0:31:000:31:02

-..to experience

-Jewish customs and traditions.

0:31:030:31:07

-PRAYER

0:31:070:31:10

-We stood to pray and turned to face

-Israel and Jerusalem.

0:31:110:31:16

-Some wore the tallit...

0:31:160:31:19

-..the prayer shawl that reminds

-them of God's instructions.

0:31:190:31:24

-The curtains opened.

0:31:350:31:36

-Torah scrolls

-were collected from the ark.

0:31:370:31:40

-The scrolls are a powerful symbol

-of the Torah's importance.

0:31:450:31:50

-This is the word of God,

-the foundation of the Jewish faith.

0:31:500:31:54

-ARAMAIC READING

0:31:540:31:56

-Rabbi Rose stepped forward

-to be appointed.

0:31:590:32:02

-He read a prayer in Aramaic.

0:32:080:32:11

-The rest of the service and songs

-was in Hebrew.

0:32:130:32:16

-HEBREW HYMN

0:32:200:32:22

-That was fascinating...

0:33:210:33:24

-..the singing

-and emphasis on community.

0:33:260:33:29

-They all know one another.

0:33:300:33:33

-The women wore hats.

0:33:350:33:37

-It's like going back 40 years

-to a packed Welsh chapel.

0:33:380:33:42

-But it's totally different, too.

0:33:430:33:45

-Like in chapel...

0:33:460:33:48

-..no important gathering

-is complete without a cuppa.

0:33:480:33:52

-That's where I met Zowie Tudur.

0:33:550:33:58

-She's a Welsh Jewess

-who was brought up in the synagogue.

0:33:580:34:02

-I didn't expect such a big event.

0:34:040:34:06

-This doesn't happen every Sabbath.

0:34:060:34:09

-This is a special event

-for the Cardiff community.

0:34:090:34:12

-We have a new, young Rabbi,

-who's very active...

0:34:120:34:15

-..who wants more participants...

0:34:150:34:18

-..and encouraging members

-to come regularly.

0:34:180:34:21

-For the Chief Rabbi to be here

-for his induction is great.

0:34:210:34:25

-On a regular basis...

0:34:250:34:27

-..the community is,

-unfortunately, a dying community.

0:34:270:34:32

-It's not as it was,

-20 or 30 years ago.

0:34:320:34:35

-Why is that? We're on

-a journey with this programme.

0:34:360:34:39

-We started with chapels,

-coming from that background myself.

0:34:390:34:44

-That's the same story.

-There are exceptions, possibly.

0:34:440:34:48

-For Cardiff, I don't believe

-it's a religious issue.

0:34:480:34:51

-The Jewish community

-isn't here any more.

0:34:520:34:55

-They've migrated out

-to the bigger communities...

0:34:550:34:58

-..London, Manchester and Leeds.

0:34:580:35:01

-For my generation,

-there were opportunities outside.

0:35:010:35:05

-They wanted

-Jewish Sunday School and schools...

0:35:050:35:08

-..kosher butchers

-and the Jewish way of life...

0:35:080:35:12

-..which unfortunately,

-as each family left Cardiff...

0:35:120:35:16

-..so that community decreased.

0:35:160:35:18

-That's the interesting question.

0:35:180:35:21

-The Jewish way of life,

-the Welsh way of life...

0:35:210:35:24

-..is it about culture,

-or is it about faith?

0:35:240:35:27

-From my experience,

-it's very much a blend of the two.

0:35:280:35:32

-The religion is very important

-to me, but the culture is too.

0:35:320:35:36

-The reality is,

-I'm traditionally orthodox...

0:35:360:35:39

-..as opposed to practising orthodox.

0:35:400:35:42

-I don't know

-if you should put that on camera!

0:35:420:35:45

-It's much more

-about upholding the traditions...

0:35:460:35:49

-..my family and the heritage,

-and honouring the legacy...

0:35:490:35:53

-..and what I can do with my

-children is pass the traditions on.

0:35:530:35:58

-They then have the choice.

0:35:580:36:01

-That's the hope

-of many Welsh chapelgoers, too.

0:36:010:36:05

-Upholding traditions

-for the children...

0:36:050:36:08

-..in the hope they'll do the same.

0:36:080:36:12

-It doesn't seem to be working here,

-either.

0:36:120:36:15

-The synagogue members are getting

-older and fewer, like Welsh chapels.

0:36:150:36:21

-It's late.

-Sorry you had to wait for me.

0:36:240:36:27

-The people were so welcoming.

0:36:280:36:30

-I feel almost ashamed that I have

-never been in a synagogue before.

0:36:300:36:35

-That says a lot about the sort

-of Christianity I once believed in.

0:36:350:36:40

-I don't want to be

-judgmental about my past.

0:36:410:36:45

-I'm sure there are Jews here

-who haven't been in a chapel.

0:36:450:36:49

-There's something odd that religions

-can be so alike, so warm...

0:36:490:36:54

-..and almost belonging to the same

-culture, but very different, too.

0:36:540:36:59

-I'm not suggesting they're the same.

0:36:590:37:02

-It's odd that I have to be 41

-before coming to a synagogue.

0:37:020:37:06

-I heard a lot of Welsh there.

0:37:070:37:10

-This is something I should have

-done a long time ago.

0:37:110:37:16

-It was an honour to be there

-on such a special day.

0:37:180:37:23

-.

0:37:240:37:24

-Subtitles

0:37:280:37:28

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:37:280:37:30

-It's Sunday. We're on the way

-to the Gomer crew's service.

0:37:320:37:36

-It's Rev Derek Rees's

-small, enthusiastic congregation.

0:37:370:37:41

-We're still discussing

-the synagogue. You enjoyed it, Rhys.

0:37:410:37:45

-You came out in the kippah.

0:37:460:37:48

-I wanted to take it home.

0:37:480:37:50

-I did enjoy it.

-I thought it was great.

0:37:510:37:54

-It was familiar, similar to chapel.

0:37:550:37:58

-It faces a similar fate to chapels.

0:37:590:38:02

-The congregations are dwindling.

0:38:030:38:07

-It would have been much emptier

-on a typical Sabbath.

0:38:070:38:11

-We saw the culture,

-ceremony and religious externals.

0:38:110:38:16

-It's usually quite empty.

0:38:160:38:18

-It will be very different today

-with Derek Rees back in Swansea.

0:38:180:38:23

-This is their Sunday service.

-They don't even have a chapel now.

0:38:230:38:29

-No frills.

0:38:300:38:31

-No frills religion, yes.

0:38:320:38:34

-It's years since I've been

-to Ty Tawe.

0:38:370:38:40

-I couldn't even find it!

0:38:400:38:43

-Ty Tawe is a centre

-for Welsh speakers.

0:38:430:38:46

-On Sunday, it's the meeting point

-of the Gomer crowd.

0:38:470:38:51

-How are you, Derek?

-Thanks for the welcome.

0:38:510:38:56

-Derek Rees

-came to Swansea five years ago.

0:38:560:39:00

-He was the Baptist minister

-of two chapels...

0:39:000:39:03

-..Waunarlwydd, where the children's

-club takes place and Gomer chapel.

0:39:030:39:09

-Gomer chapel

-was sold a fortnight ago.

0:39:100:39:12

-They moved round the corner

-to Ty Tawe.

0:39:130:39:16

-How many of you are there?

0:39:160:39:18

-How many of you are there?

-

-This is it.

0:39:180:39:20

-This is the church.

0:39:210:39:21

-This is the church.

-

-There are a couple who are not here.

0:39:210:39:25

-You started five years ago

-in Gomer chapel.

0:39:250:39:29

-Yes, two minutes away.

-It was just me on the first Sunday.

0:39:290:39:33

-Preaching to yourself?!

0:39:330:39:35

-No, I didn't preach to myself!

0:39:360:39:39

-How many came on the second Sunday?

0:39:400:39:42

-How many came on the second Sunday?

-

-Three.

0:39:420:39:44

-That was an improvement.

0:39:450:39:47

-Then slowly, the numbers increased.

0:39:470:39:50

-Most remember their first visit.

0:39:510:39:54

-Some people have come and gone.

0:39:550:39:58

-We're 30 to 40 by now...

0:39:580:40:00

-..including everyone

-who has been involved with Gomer.

0:40:000:40:04

-Gomer was a traditional chapel.

0:40:040:40:07

-There were pews, the deacons' seat

-and the pulpit.

0:40:070:40:11

-We took out the pulpit and deacons'

-seat. It's just a stage now.

0:40:110:40:15

-That's gone now.

0:40:150:40:18

-We sit round a table.

0:40:180:40:20

-Was it too big?

0:40:200:40:22

-It was an unsuitable building,

-really.

0:40:220:40:25

-It was too big

-for a small gathering.

0:40:250:40:28

-The same can be said

-of many buildings in Wales.

0:40:290:40:33

-It was time to start. We reached

-for a chair and sat in a circle.

0:40:340:40:39

-No pulpit, no organ.

-There won't be any singing.

0:40:390:40:43

-Good afternoon.

-I hope you're alright.

0:40:440:40:48

-I think Tomos

-will begin with a psalm.

0:40:480:40:53

-I wanted to see the chapel itself.

0:40:540:40:56

-I left the service

-and headed towards Gomer.

0:40:570:41:00

-I'd expected a more

-traditional chapel.

0:41:010:41:04

-The plaque explains

-it's a fairly new chapel.

0:41:040:41:08

-In 1941, like most of Swansea...

0:41:080:41:10

-..the old chapel was destroyed.

0:41:110:41:13

-Chapel stones

-were used in the foundations.

0:41:130:41:17

-It's quite ironic, considering

-the congregation has left.

0:41:170:41:21

-The original building

-was important to the Baptists.

0:41:220:41:26

-The stones, the history.

0:41:260:41:28

-But to Derek, it's people,

-not stones, that are important.

0:41:290:41:34

-It's the experience

-as opposed to the culture.

0:41:340:41:38

-There are people who have been

-attending chapel for 80 years.

0:41:400:41:45

-People get overly attached

-to their buildings.

0:41:450:41:49

-These days, entering a chapel

-can be quite intimidating...

0:41:500:41:55

-..especially

-if you're not used to it.

0:41:550:41:58

-The tradition can help, sometimes.

0:41:590:42:02

-Most of the time,

-it's just in the way.

0:42:020:42:06

-We create traditions.

0:42:070:42:09

-We've been here a fortnight.

0:42:090:42:12

-As we meet here on a regular basis,

-we'll create new traditions.

0:42:120:42:17

-I've sat in the same seat

-for a fortnight!

0:42:170:42:21

-Slippery slope!

0:42:210:42:23

-I have to sit

-in a different seat next week.

0:42:230:42:27

-When I first went to Gomer...

0:42:270:42:29

-..I felt uncomfortable

-going to chapel.

0:42:290:42:33

-Mam and Dad said, "You have

-to go once, and we'll be happy."

0:42:330:42:37

-I didn't have to go every week.

0:42:370:42:40

-They wanted you to go

-because they believed.

0:42:400:42:43

-My grandfather encouraged my parents

-to talk to me.

0:42:430:42:48

-I hated Christianity.

-I came as an unbeliever.

0:42:480:42:52

-I didn't want to go to Gomer.

0:42:520:42:55

-I finally agreed to go one Sunday.

0:42:550:42:58

-I was nervous when I met Derek.

-I didn't know anything about him.

0:42:590:43:04

-I remember feeling at home in Gomer.

0:43:070:43:11

-Then Derek said, "Come to

-a study meeting. We'll have pizza."

0:43:130:43:17

-I was a first year student.

-I thought I'd go for the pizza!

0:43:170:43:22

-It's more than pizza.

0:43:220:43:24

-They met me halfway,

-but they didn't compromise, either.

0:43:250:43:29

-That's what counts.

0:43:290:43:30

-What about the people who say

-they will never be sure?

0:43:310:43:35

-Is there a chapel for them?

0:43:360:43:38

-Can chapels stay open for...

0:43:390:43:41

-Can chapels stay open for...

-

-Cultural reasons?

0:43:410:43:43

-Yes.

0:43:430:43:45

-If people are only attending

-chapel for cultural reasons...

0:43:450:43:50

-..they will stop coming altogether.

0:43:520:43:55

-They must feel they're coming

-to meet fellow Christians...

0:43:560:44:01

-..who believe in the same things.

0:44:020:44:04

-We're all different...

0:44:050:44:07

-..but we have a shared belief.

0:44:080:44:11

-We are all rooted in Jesus Christ.

0:44:120:44:14

-Chapel isn't a club.

0:44:150:44:17

-There are chapels that are

-just about surviving on culture...

0:44:170:44:22

-..and tradition.

0:44:220:44:25

-Welsh speakers

-don't turn to chapels for culture.

0:44:250:44:29

-That can't be the answer

-for keeping an institution going.

0:44:300:44:34

-There are not many people over 65,

-or rather, under 65...

0:44:340:44:38

-..there are plenty

-of over 65s in chapels!

0:44:380:44:42

-It's not the tradition or

-the culture that will keep it going.

0:44:420:44:47

-It will be the word of God.

0:44:470:44:50

-Before we left, Derek and the boys

-wanted to show me a video.

0:44:510:44:56

-Gareth and Tomos

-were baptized recently...

0:44:560:44:59

-..when they became Christians.

0:44:590:45:01

-It's Gareth's baptism

-on the video...

0:45:020:45:04

-..in the baptismal pool I looked for

-in the children's club.

0:45:050:45:10

-You baptized Tomos and Gareth.

0:45:100:45:13

-Yes. We saw Gareth.

0:45:130:45:15

-Rhodri was in the water too.

0:45:160:45:18

-It must have been

-an emotional experience.

0:45:180:45:21

-It was quite special.

0:45:210:45:23

-After the baptism, my father said

-a prayer for me. It was special.

0:45:240:45:29

-We are reborn. My Granddad

-prayed for me when I was baptized.

0:45:310:45:35

-He said,

-"I was there when Tomos was born.

0:45:360:45:39

-"I'm glad to see him

-being born again."

0:45:390:45:43

-It's a symbol of the change,

-of leaving the old person behind.

0:45:430:45:47

-Yes, immersed in water.

0:45:480:45:50

-Resurrection in Christ.

0:45:500:45:53

-Hallelujah.

0:45:590:46:00

-Y Felinheli and the Menai.

0:46:010:46:04

-It's hard to argue

-with experience...

0:46:050:46:08

-..to disagree when someone

-says their life has changed forever.

0:46:080:46:12

-I thought

-I'd had the same experience.

0:46:130:46:17

-The conversion

-changed me completely.

0:46:170:46:20

-I can't return to chapel

-for cultural reasons alone.

0:46:210:46:27

-More than anything...

0:46:270:46:30

-..what I've learnt is

-that culture isn't enough.

0:46:300:46:34

-It won't keep the chapels open,

-and the chapel isn't a club.

0:46:350:46:39

-I agree.

0:46:410:46:43

-As an atheist, I think it's a shame

-the chapels are closing.

0:46:430:46:48

-What will keep them open

-are the people who truly believe.

0:46:490:46:53

-I don't believe as I once did...

0:46:560:46:59

-..nor in the way Derek Rees

-and the crew believe.

0:46:590:47:02

-I still think...

0:47:030:47:05

-..it's the people who really believe

-that will keep the chapels going.

0:47:050:47:10

-That's the type of Christianity

-that will last.

0:47:100:47:15

-It'll last longer

-than it did for you.

0:47:170:47:20

-Yes. Thanks.

0:47:220:47:25

-The hardest question for me is,

-why didn't it last?

0:47:280:47:32

-I became a new person,

-and was reborn in Christ.

0:47:330:47:37

-What happened to that bloke?

0:47:370:47:39

-Why did I lose my faith?

0:47:400:47:42

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