There is perhaps a religious parallel to the art fake. Gospels became popular if they were thought to be by an apostle, so apostles’ names were sometimes linked with them without proof. Is this any more dishonest than a modern celebrity biography by a ghost writer? Early Christians eventually identified fake and authentic gospels. Does it matter who wrote a Christian source document or whether it is true?

KS5

Propaganda was originally an innocent word referring to spreading ideas, but later associated with spreading dubious ideas by unethical methods.

Most of the world’s religions have suffered, and still suffer, distortion at the hands of their opponents. Discuss motives behind propaganda, the techniques (lies, distortion, half-truths, misrepresentation), the mindset of those who fake material about a religion or believe what has been faked.

Are we all in danger of making the facts fit our beliefs?