Before the programme was first aired, an article on the religious views of Cupitt entitled "New Wave Believer" was published in the Radio Times.
The article aroused considerable controversy, as was evident from the letters that soon appeared in Radio Times.
A more positive set of letters appeared in the Radio Times after the programme had been aired.
As well as featuring Cupitt, the discussion included Alfred Jules Ayer and the then Bishop of Birmingham, Hugh Montefiore.
The Sea of Faith movement started in 1984 as a response to Cupitt's book and television series.