Recently, Peter Robinson, the Dean of Derby, took part in a discussion on BBC Radio 4's Beyond Belief programme about the use of water and ritual bathing in religion.

Dean Peter's doctoral thesis was on Christian Initiation focusing on Baptism

Followers of any of the main religions are more than likely to have undergone a bathing ritual.

Cleansing with water is an integral part of Christian Baptism, Muslim Prayer and Jewish purification. Hindus aspire to bathe in the waters of the River Ganges.

Why are rituals in water important to so many faiths? What do they mean? And how do they differ from religion to religion?

Joining host Ernie Rea to discuss ritual bathing are the Very Revd Peter Robinson (Dean of Derby), Dr Diana Lipton (teaching fellow in the department of biblical studies at Tel Aviv University) and Sudipta Sen (professor of history at the University of California and author of 'Ganges: the Many Pasts of an Indian River').

You can enjoy the programme here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000m0zq

or find it on the BBC Sounds app.