God Forbid

For International Day of People with Disability 2024, God Forbid is hosted by special guests Siobhan Marin and Nas Campanella.

Can the Anglican Church recover after the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby?

With Australia's poor track record of adoption, particularly when it comes to Indigenous families, how can we rethink adoption in a way that puts both parents and children first?

Reproductive justice was a key campaign issue for Kamala Harris. Now, after a landslide defeat, Australia could be set to follow in the U.S.'s footsteps.

How a handful of media billionaires could determine the fate of the Western world. 

What’s on the other side of the near-death experience?

What do dancing Mormons, blind dates, and superyachts have in common? 

The ancient game of Go is a teacher of spirituality, patience, colonisation, and world affairs. So what does it when a computer beats the world Go champion?

Constant images of suffering and trauma have been channelled through our digital devices for the past 12 months. With some people switching off in the name of self-preservation, the moral question remains as to whether this is an act of ignorant privilege or practical necessity.

The world’s oldest profession has long been an ethical talking point, but what does God have to say about it? And what do sex workers have to say about God? 

Who we are, how we got here, and where we're going

How right-wing extremists are taking over the conservation conversation. 

Loneliness is as deadly as being a pack-a-day smoker, but is religion the antidote to this deadly problem?

How is fathering different from parenting?

Every major religion condemns theft as morally unacceptable. But is this moral position always absolute? 

UK comedian David Baddiel is terrified of death and deeply moved by Jewish tradition - but he's convinced God does not exist.

We’re all entitled to feel offended, but what happens when outrage is weaponised towards more cynical and sinister ends? 

Domestic violence is a whole-of-society problem. But how are faith communities dealing with the current crisis? 

It was an ancient preoccupation, and now it's a modern obsession. So how has something as universal as sleep remained so mysterious? And what can the cultural and religious history of sleep, dreaming and insomnia teach us today?

Across faith traditions, the pilgrimage is a sacred journey of spiritual transformation, steeped in history and geography. Pilgrimages can be powerful life-altering experiences, but they can also be dangerous. 

Our species has plenty of experience with death, but in many families the topic remains taboo.

From hymns and oaths to the eternal flame - the Olympic Games are full of religious symbolism. Ever since the ancient Games in Olympia, ritual and moral virtues have played a part. 

Can religion provide a pathway for a better tomorrow? Can it aid us in bringing peace where everything else seems to have failed?

Could kindness be an act of defiance or resistance?

Over the COVID years, the Diversity Council Australia found one in two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people experienced at least one incident of racial harassment or discrimination at work. Other studies have found racism to be a deeply set feature of our society.  

Today, 8 billion of us share this remarkable planet.  Yet there are declines in fertility rates across the globe. Demographers say this is more the rule than the exception. 

What's causing this decline, and can we do anything about it? And what about the planet? Where does it fit into this population debate?   

How is it that the physical brain can give rise to our subjective, intangible conscious experience? Why and how are we aware of being aware? It remains one of the great philosophical and scientific questions, and our God Forbid panel are here to discuss it.

More than half of Australians believe in life after death. Some even believe we can communicate with the dead.  In the nineteenth century, the Spiritualist movement claimed to speak with the dead through mediums and seances.

This  American movement attracted many women; and at a time when they had few rights, Spiritualism gave women a voice as mediums who could take messages from the dead to the living. 

It used to have followers in the millions,  though the escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini insisted they were frauds – and he lobbied the US Congress to ban the practice.

So what made it so controversial and influential? And why do we remain intrigued by what happens – if anything - after we die? 

Freud said humans are instinctively aggressive, and as a result, war is inevitable.  But could peace be inevitable too?

Today, there are more than 100 armed conflicts of one kind or another taking place around the world. In the first decade of this century – war killed around 20,000 people a year.  It’s now ten times that number,  and it’s happening around the world – it’s not just because of Gaza and Ukraine.  

How do we make peace amid our instinct for war? And what can Australia do to dial down tensions? 

Many of us regard our pets as part of the family,  but can an animal be its best self in a human home?  

For much of human history, we’ve kept animals primarily to do jobs – to hunt, herd, plough and pull carriages... or just to keep mice out of the hay shed.

The idea of keeping an animal as a "pet” - an emotional companion is relatively new.  And religion, it turns out, played a part in that historical shift.

Of course, pets can enrich our lives, but how we breed, feed and keep these animals raises questions even for the most loving, well-meaning pet owners. It's a passionate issue, full of blurry lines and moral grey areas. But philosophy, religion and science offer some guidance. 

Falling in love is one of life’s great thrills, but it leaves you open to heartbreak – one of life’s great miseries.  Romantic heartbreak has inspired countless works of literature, art and music through the ages. It’s a uniquely painful yet universal experience – so, how do you get over it?

Do science, faith and philosophy provide some answers?

As the US election approaches, presidential candidate Donald Trump has been doubling down on the religious language - selling bibles, preaching retribution and styling himself as a persecuted saviour. Trump enjoys the support of the overwhelming majority of white evangelical voters, but will that be enough to return him to the White House?    

Guests: 

D Stephen Long, theologian, Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics at Southern Methodist University 

Sarah McCammon, NPR Political Correspondent, author of Ex-vangelicals: Loving, Living and Leaving the White Evangelical Church

David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy at the United States Studies Centre, and the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney

Today, billions of people adhere to one of the “Big Five” major religions, but there are many more religions from history that have died out. Conquests, cultural change and conversions have all caused religions to shift, shrink and disappear. But when can we truly declare a religion “dead”? And could the religions of today die out in the distant future? 

Guests: 

Aslan Pahari, Video presenter/producer, ABC Digital Content and Innovation 

Adam Bowles, Associate Professor in Asian Religions at the University of Queensland 

Carole Cusak, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Sydney 

Jesus was famously a carpenter, and many religious texts associate carpentry with wisdom, humility, and devotion. So, is there something divine about working with wood? Woodwork is the most ancient of crafts. It can offer both solitude and companionship, teach us lessons about patience and failure, and connect us to place, people and stories. 

Guests:

Phoebe Everill, furniture maker and woodwork teacher from Drummond, Victoria 

Father Dan Groody, Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana

Barry Golding, Honorary Professor in adult and community education at Federation University, author of Shoulder to Shoulder: Broadening the Men’s Shed Movement

The federal government is unwilling to progress promised religious discrimination reforms unless it secures bipartisan support from the Coalition. Can a compromise be reached, or is this debate likely to be shelved again?  Guests:

Chris Bedding, is Executive Officer of Faith Workers Alliance and a priest of the Anglican Church in Perth

David Robertson, Presbyterian minister, director of the ASK project of Evangelism and New Churches of the Sydney Anglican diocese

Dr. Renae Barker, lawyer and senior lecturer at the UWA Law School

Why do we choose to endure hardship? Can sacrifices - sacred and secular - make us better human beings? 

Guests:

Justine Toh, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity.  

Adis Duderija, Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society in the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science at Griffith University.  

Brock Bastian, Professor at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences 

What is it like to grow up in a strict religious or cultural household - and what happens when you no longer agree with your parents’ worldview? 

Guests:

David Newheiser, Senior Research Fellow, Religion and Theology, ACU, author of Hope in a Secular Age

Laura McConnell Conti, grew up in a fundamentalist Christian group known as The Truth

Professor Manjula Datta O’Connor, psychiatrist and author of Daughters of Durga: Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia

The modern welfare state emerged in Australia some 100 years ago, but it remains a subject of intense ideological, philosophical and even religious debate.

Guests:

Verity Archer, ​​lecturer in social work, community and human services at Federation University

Eve Vincent, anthropologist at Macquarie University, author of Who Cares? Life on Welfare in Australia

John Falzon, Senior Fellow Inequality and Social Justice at the Per Capita think tank, former CEO of St Vincent De Paul Society Australia

Evolving digital technologies have supercharged our anxieties around privacy and surveillance. These concerns may feel new, but they have always existed. Privacy is central to human dignity, intimacy and wellbeing - but in a world of ever-evolving technologies - is privacy in its death throes? 

Guests: 

Anita Allen, Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania 

Hugh Breakey, Professor of Philosophy, Griffith University 

David Vincent, Professor Emeritus, Open Universities UK, author of Privacy: A Short History 

For as long as we have had language, we have told stories - and some of the oldest stories, are fairytales. What can they teach us about the world, and why do they still appeal?

Guests: 

Marguerite Johnson, classicist, historian and Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland.  

Tom Wright, theatre writer and Artistic Associate at Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney  

Michelle Smith, Associate Professor in Literary Studies at Monash University  

What would make religious spaces more accessible for people with disabilities? Transcript available at the ABC God Forbid website.

Guests: 

Carly Findlay OAM, writer, speaker and activist

Professor John Gilroy, ARC Research Fellow in Indigenous Disability and Community Development at the University of Sydney

Dr Louise Gosbell, a disability theologian and Research Manager at the Australian College of Theology

Cleansing rituals are a part of every major religion – from baptisms to Islamic Wudu, to bathing in sacred rivers. Where do these rituals come from and what do they mean to the faithful? 

From the sacred remains of saints to the revered memorabilia of celebrities and  sporting stars, relics are objects that act as a kind of a bridge between the material and spiritual world.  But why do religious and non-religious people alike gather to venerate these objects? Is it macabre, superstitious, or simply human?  

Surrogacy – carrying and giving birth to a baby for someone else – has been around at least since biblical times. But as the industry and fertility science advances, Christians and feminists remain divided on the issue.  

Why are so many Australians passionate about fishing? Is it simply the thrill of the catch or is there something deeper that keeps us hooked?

Love feels the same now as thousands of years ago, yet the rules around it are changing. On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they explore love in ancient times, to romance and dating today.

Exactly where do ideas and creative inspiration come from? ANd how do we explain when someone is 'blocked'; when the creative line goes dead? And what can be done about it?

Where we are really going when we walk or run – is it about finding the post-pain pleasure of endurance, or perhaps something more: self-awareness, meaning, or even wisdom? 

More of us in the West are seeking the help of shamans and psychedelic medicines. But why? And do they help?

What do Buddhism, Christianity and Islam say about eating meat? And how do believers navigate ethical concerns around the farming, exporting and slaughter of animals? 

Is it ok to lie to kids in order to protect them from harmful truths? And how can we raise them to be resilient, intellectually-critical adults?

Debates about funding and faith in schools has long been bitter and divisive in Australian history, and it continues until this day. So what makes a good school? And do schools help or hurt in the quest for the Aussie fair go?

Our youth obsessed culture is so pervasive that even calling someone an old woman or an old man can carry a negative meaning – but why should it? Old age can be the time when you find your most authentic self and the key to living well. 

Australia's religious landscape is complex and changing, so how should religion be reported on in the 21st century? As RN celebrates its 100th birthday, the panel reflects on what good religion reporting takes in an era of fake news, Tik Tok journalism and mainstream media distrust.

It was an ancient preoccupation, and now it's a modern obsession. So how has something as universal as sleep remained so mysterious? And what can the cultural and religious history of sleep, dreaming and insomnia teach us today?

Many people find purpose, value, and joy in work – even if it's not a dream job. But on the flip side, many are repelled by the hustle culture and burnout that comes from increased casualisation, unpaid overtime and labour shortages. On God Forbid we explore how, when, and why we work.

How is it that the physical brain can give rise to our subjective, intangible conscious experience? Why and how are we aware of being aware? It remains one of the great philosophical and scientific questions, and our God Forbid panel are here to discuss it.

You might think our belief in monsters is dead or dying – a superstitious relic. But regardless of the place on earth, or time in history, people say they see strange apparitions and ghostly figures. And as for things unseen, even more profess a belief in genies, spirits, angels and supernatural entities. 

How can a better understanding of what actually happened in a rapidly changing Europe and Middle East, 500 to 1,000 years ago, help us navigate complexities in the world today?

When it comes to addiction, why does the twelve step program work brilliantly for some, and fail miserably for others? And what are the spiritual roots of the program? 

Magic as we know it today is performance art, harmless entertainment –  from Penn and Teller to Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield to Harry Houdini. But, magic, past and present, is stranger, richer and more complex than you imagine.

The rise of religious populism, and rejection of secularism, means the old demarcations of theocratic and secular, democratic and dictatorial are blurring. So what does it mean for the citizens living under these hybrid forms of government?

What do Buddhism, Christianity and Islam say about eating meat? And how do believers navigate the ethical concerns around the farming, exporting and slaughter of animals? 

Love feels the same now as thousands of years ago, yet the rules around it are changing. On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they explore love in ancient times, to romance and dating today.

Is there a religious aspect to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? What are the ethics of an autonomous weapon killing a human? Do mercenary groups believe in the principles of 'Just War'? And where is ISIS?

On the 50th anniversary of JRR Tolkien’s death, we take a closer look at how Catholicism influenced his writing, his relationship with God, and the wondrous cosmos he created in his legendary stories.

What do Jains, Zoroastrians and Baha'is believe? – We explore beliefs, history and rituals, to the challenges facing their communities today.

Spirituality on social media: How TikTok is changing the way we engage with religion

Just what did God look like and how did he lose his bodily self?

There’s been a battle going on over when, how, or even if, our children should be taught about sex and sexuality in schools.

Is Australia a secular state, where religion is truly separate from politics? 

Can we be truly religious and wealthy at the same time?

For RN's Flesh week, a look at Sikh hair practices and Jewish circumcision.

Is organised religion predisposed to discrimination?

There's a long history of comedians making jokes about religion, but where is the line drawn between offensive and funny?

An acclaimed poet and an Anglican minister discuss being up close and personal with death, and the lessons it taught them about time, the value of care, and life itself. 

In a world where everything is screaming for our attention, we find out how reading offers a refuge from distraction, nourishes us and feeds our souls.

Should we be worried about deathbots? Why does 'ghosting' cause so much grief? And, do our online personas go through reinvention — or reincarnation — in our search for relevance? This is part two in our series on the digital life span.

Can 'authenticity' exist on Instagram? Is it OK for 'mumfluencers' to monetise their children? And why are teens turning to TikTok to share trauma stories? We're diving into the metaverse for a special two-part series on how we're memorialising our lives online. 

If repairing our long-fractured relationship with the animal world is the key to our survival, what is the way back?

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi last visited Australia in 2014, to much fanfare. Since then, major political and religious conflicts have played out in India, and within the Indian diaspora, over the rise of Hindu nationalism.

One of the big promises of artificial intelligence was the supposed end to the drudgery of work. But the rapid advance of AI in the workplace has raised an urgent question: just who are we without the work we do? 

If it turns out work is in fact an intrinsic part of our humanity, is there anything at all we can do to protect it? 

On God Forbid, we scale the spiritual mountain with a Buddhist nun and Anglican priest and ask, what really is the highest state that humans can reach? 

The 'manosphere' is an online network of misogynistic groups. Concerningly, their violent and demeaning messages about women are appealing to a section of young men. On God Forbid, we explore the manosphere and masculinity in the digital age.

Does a religious childhood inspire an appetite for spirituality in adulthood, or aversion to doctrine, or some messy blend of the two?

One in five of us are in a neuro-minority. But stigma remains, along with deficit models in understanding neurodiversity. So how do we shift this thinking? And what can we learn from unique ways of seeing and being in the world?

Exactly where do ideas and creative inspiration come from? And how do we explain when someone is 'blocked'; when the creative line goes dead? And what can be done about it?

Three millennial comedians on growing older, meaning-making at mid-life and the case for optimism. 

Today's world of transportation means that planes, trains, cars, and electric scooters get us to our destination. Yet we still walk and run off our own steam – but often without destination. Not always for a clear goal, but for the journey itself.

On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel for the final in our three-part series on daily rituals. They find out, where we are really going when we walk or run – is it about finding the post-pain pleasure of endurance, or perhaps something more: self-awareness, meaning, or even wisdom? 

In Australia, the sea encapsulates more than the landmass but our culture, too

80 percent of Australian households have a garden. The ritual and journey of gardening can be frustrating, rewarding, and even awe inspiring. Yet for most, gardening is not a religious practice, despite how religiously some of us practice it. So then why do Australians spend so many hours and dollars on their gardens? Join James Carleton and the panel as they kick off daily rituals series, starting with the practice of gardening. 

This year, Israel marks its 75th birthday. But for nearly two months, there have not been celebrations, but mass protests across the Jewish state. It's been called the "Israeli spring" – triggered by December's election of Benjamin Netanyahu's government. And all this at a time when violence between Jews and Palestinians is increasing. On God Forbid, join James Carleton and our panellists visiting from the Holy Land, as they look at protest, and peace building in Israel. 

Have we lost our appetite for intervening; of standing in the way of perceived wrongs?

None of us are born religious fundamentalists, or political ideologues – so what are the conditions that lead us towards such unshakable positions? And once we do become rusted-on, dyed-in-the-wool, certain of our certainties – what is the way back?

It’s no secret the human species has been waging a long and costly war – and the enemy is ageing. So, what's at the heart of our pursuits to stay young; a love of life, or a fear of death? And if we deny the realities of growing old, does that mean we miss out on its benefits? On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they find out what it looks like to age well in a society preoccupied with looking young.

From the bitter conflicts of Northern Ireland and Cambodia, to today's flammable politics of the United states, how do we find peace when it seems impossible?

More of us in the West are seeking the help of shamans and psychedelic medicines. But why? And do they help?

Specialists say screen and gaming disorders affect tens of thousands of Australian children. The issue has led several academics, child psychologists and psychiatrists to sign a joint statement calling for urgent government action. Still, there remains debate about whether 'tech addiction' is a genuine thing at all. Is it really time to declare a war on devices? Or should we just leave those kids alone? Join James Carleton and the God Forbid panel as they discuss tech, teenagers and device addiction.

The famous psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, wrote that an outsider would be astonished to hear of the humour that existed in Auschwitz. He said humour was "the soul's weapons in the fight for self-preservation."

But in today's era of cancel culture and comedy by committee, is the surest way to destroy a funny story to analyse it? And yet – analysis, light-hearted at least, is what we propose on this week's God Forbid. Join James Carleton and the panel as they wonder why we laugh at things that aren't a laughing matter, and where exactly, the boundary lines lie.

What does it mean to deconstruct one’s faith? What motivates someone to reassess their spiritual or religious path and dismantle their belief system? Is reconstruction also part of this process? On God Forbid this week, James Carleton and the panel tackle these questions and more as they look at the process, and the aftermath, of faith deconstruction.

Often you'll hear the term "rock bottom" used in the world of addiction and recovery, like in the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In fact, AA's Big Book, first published in 1953, says that few people will sincerely try to practice the AA program unless they have hit rock bottom. So is it true that you have to hit rock bottom before you can get better? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at addiction and recovery — the personal stories, and separating the myths from the facts.

There's a complex line between the science of mental health, the experience of spirituality, and practice of religion. All are distinct but so often interrelated. Is religion compatible with modern mental health science? Is your choice a prayer, or a pill? Join James Carleton and the panel as they look at the scientific, spiritual, cultural and personal aspects of mental health.

This year Northern Ireland turned 100. And much like Australia day, many celebrate — but many have regrets too. There's a fragile peace in Northern Ireland, after 40 years of violence in the troubles, and challenges remain today: from Brexit to the dream of a united Ireland. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore questions of identity, conflict, religion, and peace in Northern Ireland — but with universal lessons.

All of us have secrets. Things we keep from others, and secrets we keep from ourselves. Our families have secrets, each generation chooses what it tells the next. Our institutions keep secrets too, like religious institutions. But choosing to keep a secret can have different motivations, good and bad — so when should we keep a secret and when should we reveal the truth? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take on ethics of secrets. 

1 in 5 of us are in a neuro-minority. But stigma remains, along with a deficit model in professional, medical and societal ways of understanding neurodiversity. So how do we shift this thinking? And what can we learn from unique ways of seeing and being in the world? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore neurodiversity and faith this International Day of People with Disabilities.

This episode originally aired on 27 March 2022.

Contemporary Paganism is one of the few spiritual movements attracting a growing number of followers, particularly young people, each year. For some, Paganism is about connecting with and protecting their environment, for others it’s about regaining control of their world. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore contemporary Paganism; from myth busting and magic, to advocacy and climate change. 

In this episode:

Witches have always had a bad rap; both in the real world and make-believe. What does it mean to be a witch? Why has the stereotype endured for so long? Are young people the key to breaking down the barriers and dispelling the myths?

What does Paganism look like in Australia, so far away, both in place and time, from its origins in ancient Europe? How do the Australian seasons align with Pagan rituals and practice? What is the typical path to Paganism?

For many followers of Paganism, the environment plays a significant part in their spiritual practice. Ásatrú, the fastest growing religion in Iceland, encourages harmony with nature. With such emphasis on nature and the environment, how does Paganism respond in the face of climate change?

Guests:

Dr Caroline Tully is Associate Editor of The Pomegranate, the International Journal  of Pagan Studies, and one of the organisers of the Australian Wiccan Conference. She is also an author, archaeologist, lecturer, and Honorary Fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. 

Stacey DeMarco is a member of the Pagan Awareness Network. She is the author of several books, including; "Witch in the Boardroom" and  "The Enchanted Moon". She herself identifies as a witch, pagan practitioner, and Meta-physicist. 

Private religious schools are growing in number — but it's in secular public schools that the debate about the role of religion is fierce. Some say public school is no place for private religion. Others say it's important for kids to learn about religion. And still others say there's a place for education on various worldviews. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel look at religious educations in schools.

A wave of protest is spreading across the world. People power is toppling governments – and governments are crushing protests. Globally, there’s protest over climate change, vaccines, and lockdowns; from corruption and poverty to Black Lives Matter, and there's protest for and against Trumpism as well. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel find out why it is happening, and what makes protests succeed or fail.

Depending on who you ask, an acceptance of uncertainty is fundamental to ethics, to religious faith, even to good mental health. For others, it's a lack of agreed meaning and relativism that guides the world toward disaster. So then, how should we navigate the fog of 21st century life?

Join James Carleton and the panel as they explore whether living in an uncertain world require certain foundations —  shared truths and identities? Or is there a kind of freedom to be found in embracing uncertainty and unknowing?

"The wages of sin is death," says the Bible, and for a long time in Australia, that was a widely accepted wisdom. Today, an increasing number of Australians believe the concept of sin is antiquated, and perhaps unhelpful. But whether we believe in God or not, imperfection exists and we inevitably transgress —  and in our unforgiving culture, redemption can be elusive.

On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they explore whether sin still matters, and how we understand the term in contemporary Australia.

As we approach Labor's first federal budget on Tuesday, is Australia facing an uncertain economic future? We’re experiencing rising inflation, government inheriting debt and deficit along with an increasing a cost-of-living. At such a time, should the government draw on altruism, or self interest?  What would help drive economic recovery – and could something beyond the bottom line help chart our course?

Anthropologists theorise that prayer coincided with the human capacity to think in the abstract. That means it's been around since the stone age — 150,000 years ago. Today the practice of prayer continues unabated for billions around the world. And one thing is for certain, prayer will be around for a lot longer than we will. On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they explore how, and why, we pray. 

Today, the term 'self-determination' refers to individuals: each of us claiming our right to personal independence and to determine who we are. But is that claim true, given that humans only exist in connection with others? What comes first – the identity of one, or the collective identities of all? On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they look at some fundamental questions about identity.

The Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book, first published in 1953, says that few people will sincerely try to practice the AA program unless they've first hit rock bottom. So is it true that you have to get to the bottom before you can get better? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at addiction and recovery — the personal stories, and separating the myths from the facts.

The 77th session of the UN general assembly took place this week. And the consensus is in: the world is facing a profound crisis, on economic, environmental and political levels. In these times, hope can be a rare and valuable commodity, but why might hope still be necessary?

Is the surest way to destroy a funny story to analyse it? And yet – analysis, light-hearted at least, is what we propose on this week's God Forbid. Join James Carleton and the panel as they wonder about the reasons for dark humour, and whether there are lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Specialists say screen and gaming disorders affect tens of thousands of Australian children. The issue has led several academics, child psychologists and psychiatrists to sign a joint statement calling for urgent government action. Still, there remains debate about whether 'tech addiction' is a genuine thing at all. Is it really time to declare a war on devices? Or should we just leave those kids alone?

Do we simply not have the time or money to enable us to volunteer like we once did? Has our community life moved online, or has it evaporated? Join James Carleton and the God Forbid panel as they discuss giving, taking and volunteering in Australia.

The decline and secularisation of marriage comes amid other changing social dynamics. In one in four relationships, women are the main breadwinners. There are post-separation blended families, and of course we now have same-sex marriage. It's the final episode of our three-part series on births, deaths and marriages.

It's a simple fact of life that we will inevitably, one day, die. Yet we still find death, dying and grief difficult to talk about. On God Forbid, we look at what it means to die, and to grieve, in this current moment in Australia.

In modern Australia, what does it mean to be born, to live and love, and then to die? Across the next three episodes, God Forbid will be exploring births, deaths and marriages. In the first episode we explore one of the most fundamental and defining moments: birth.

Food is central to human society. We celebrate with food and we commiserate with food. At its most essential level, food keeps us alive. But today, food is also a commodity. For many Australians the cost of food is becoming an increasing strain, but for others, dining can be a symbol of wealth. Then there's also our ever-evolving diet culture. On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel examine our cultural, ethical, and even spiritual relationship with food.

How can you stay connected to place or a sense of home, if you've been exiled from where you were born, or grew up? And what burdens come with finding yourself as a kind of spokesperson for those left behind? On God Forbid, we meet three panellists whose lives have been shaped by exile, due to politics or religion.

What happens if you find out you were taken from your birth family and brought up with an entirely different culture, religion, and even language?

Biblical literacy is likely lower in Australia today than at any point since the convict era. Yet the legacy of this book – for better and worse – is still everywhere to be seen. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel examine what the Bible is and its influence on the nation’s history and society.

Some Jewish sacred texts are over 3000 years old, but are still read by nearly half the world’s population. In addition to Jews, there are four billion Christians and Muslims in the world, who draw - in differing ways - on the Hebrew Bible, or the Tanakh. Join James Carleton and the panel as they examine the Tanakh, and the text’s impact in history and on society today. 

In the most northern tip of Australia, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate their stories and culture for NAIDOC week, along with the missionaries who brought Christianity to the region.

What does it mean for humans to create technology that 'thinks'? Are there enough conversations around the big moral and spiritual questions of creating advanced technology? Plus, what are the implications of inserting AI into our lives? Join Breann Fallon and expert panel as they delve into the complexities of AI.

 Do we really need to suffer? There seems to be so much suffering in the world right now, but for what purpose? How do we respond to it? On this week’s episode of God Forbid, Breann Fallon and the panel focus on suffering and resilience, both personal and collective.

The revelation from US President Joe Biden that, in the last two decades, more school-aged children have died from guns than on-duty police and active-duty military combined, is a stark reminder of the tragic toll of gun violence. Religion, nationalism and politics all come into play in the heated gun debate. Guest presenter, Breann Fallon, explores faith and firearms with the panel on this week’s God Forbid.

Caroline Jones was not only a trailblazing journalist, but also a ground-breaking religious broadcaster. This week on God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel reflect upon the immense legacy of Caroline Jones and the changing nature of religious journalism in Australia.

Can compassion be transformative? While we might not associate being compassionate with being fierce, an act of compassion can be a powerful, even radical gesture. On God Forbid this week, James Carleton and the panel explore the positive power of compassion in testing times. 

Australia — much like the rest of the world — is experiencing a critical shortage of priests. Churches of various faiths are struggling to fill vacancies. So why aren’t more people answering the call? Join James Carleton and the God Forbid panel this week as they consider the growing problem of a shrinking clergy. 

What does it mean to deconstruct one’s faith? What motivates someone to reassess their spiritual or religious path and dismantle their belief system? This week on God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore the process, and the aftermath, of faith deconstruction.

There's a complex line between the science of mental health, the experience of spirituality, and practice of religion. All are distinct but so often interrelated. Is religion compatible with modern mental health science? Is your choice a prayer, or a pill? Join James Carleton and the panel as they look at the scientific, spiritual, cultural and personal aspects of mental health.

Australia is one of the only liberal democracies in the world without a Bill or a Charter of Rights. What protections are in place to safeguard our human rights, and are they enough? This week on God Forbid, co-presenters Breann Fallon and James Carleton and the panel explore the state of human rights in Australia, and consider whether a Bill of Rights will rectify the wrongs.

The right of all people to vote in elections, without any discrimination, is one of the most fundamental of all human rights and civil liberties. But when and why would that be taken away — if ever? Even here in Australia, is the right to vote truly equal? On God Forbid, co-presenters Breann Fallon and James Carleton examine the right to vote and the inequalities built into it.

Christians celebrate, and reflect upon, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. But how much do we really know about the man whose life has shaped the spiritual, and often political, course of history for so many? For this Easter episode of God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore the life of Jesus through a religious, political, and historical lens. 

In the Cold War era, we had the space race — the first satellite, first dog and first person in space. Today, it’s the private industry space race with billionaires launching rockets and taking space flights, accompanied by wealthy space tourists. This week on God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel look at the law and ethics surrounding today’s space race, and examine the wider space industry.

In 2019, one of Australia's best-known poets, Les Murray, passed away at the age of eighty. James Carleton and the panel discuss how Murray's faith influenced his writing, and examine the power of myth and story.

Contemporary Paganism is one of the few spiritual movements attracting a growing number of followers, particularly young people, each year. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore contemporary Paganism; from myth busting and magic, to advocacy and climate change. 

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, the world looks on in despair. Religion is very much a part of this conflict. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel discuss the complex religious, cultural, and historical links between Ukraine and Russia.

Often we think of chaplaincy in hospital settings; providing a listening ear and comfort, can be profoundly healing, even life changing. But what about in a context not of sickness and death, but of youth and vitality? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore why the opportunities and challenges faced by university chaplains today are unlike other religious ministers.

In 1978, the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade was met with violence and arrests. Community attitudes and legislation have changed significantly since then. So, in 2022, what does the Mardi Gras mean for sexuality and gender diverse people, religious or not? 

How much clutter is in your home? A study in the science journal Nature says the weight of what we produce doubles every year. And in 2013, we reached a tipping point where man-made stuff is now heavier than all life on earth — more than every plant, human and animal combined. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore the impact that our stuff has on the world, the economy and on our spiritual lives.

Even though humans can't exist alone, many feel that they do. For some, loneliness is mild and transitory, but for other’s chronic — the pain can be so profound that it affects physical wellbeing. On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the different forms that 'being alone' can take, and what can be done.

Has the new year brought a fresh approach to life amid the uncertainty of the pandemic? In achieving human flourishing, developing good habits are as important as extinguishing the bad. On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel take a look at how we're going with our new year's resolutions, one habit at a time.

Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing religious movements worldwide, and Australia is no exception. So what do Pentecostal Christians believe?  On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel go beyond the happy-clappy stereotype and explore the complex mosaic of Pentecostalism.

With Star Wars films and Avatar making the 'biggest box office hits of all time' lists, and the enduring popularity of sci-fi novels like Dune and Blade Runner — it makes you wonder: has the geek inherited the earth? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our expert panel delve into the world of sci-fi, and explore where sci-fi and religion mingle.

Australia loves a legend - not just legendary sports stars, legendary stories too. But some stories are too extraordinary to be believed. So should we get rid of them and live in the real world? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore.

What is true leadership all about - giving or taking? Serving others, or being served? On God Forbid, James and our panel of leadership experts find out. 

The great writer and Nobel Prize winner André Gide said, “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and the less the artist does, the better." On God Forbid, James Carleton explores the relationship between art, humanity and the sacred with creatives Lindy Lee and Rod Pattenden.

Is it possible to be biologically dead, but socially alive? What would that entail? On God Forbid, James and panel find out more about the digital afterlife. 

In many ways, young people who attend places of worship today are vastly different to those who attended decades ago. A new generation isn’t just attending in person, but also via online platforms like messaging, podcasts and even game streaming services. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore how Gen Z is engaging with religion, and how faith groups are responding.

In some ways we will always be different – it’s a wonderful part of life, but it comes with disagreement and even conflict. But intolerance can be a good and natural response to the intolerable. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore the difference.

2021 has been a year of challenges and changes for so many people worldwide. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel reflect on the hot potatoes thrown our way in 2021, and contemplate the coming twelve months.

December 3 is the International Day for People with Disability. It's an important day for the one third of Australian households which include a person with a disability, and for society-at-large. Join guest presenter Grant Lock, James Carleton and our panel as they chat about living with a disability, tackling discrimination, fighting for accessibility and more.

It’s fast approaching the time of year where celebration, reflection, and enjoying precious time with loved ones become the primary focus for many.  While our movements may have been curtailed somewhat this year, our thirst for spending has been in overdrive. 

Fitness and body image have become a preoccupation for many Australians. While physical exertion is not for everyone, the fitness industry in Australia has grown significantly in recent years. On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the complex and contradictory world of exercise, fitness and body image. 

Australia has endured it's fair share of challenges in recent times, yet amid all the suffering, we have witnessed countless examples of human kindness. On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the 'kindness revolution'; where does our kindness stem from, how does it thrive during times of hardship, and what will kindness look like in a post-pandemic world?

More Australians than ever before are saying 'no' to religion, and 'yes' to secular beliefs such as atheism. Yet, the majority of the population still identifies with a religion. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel examine atheism, disbelief and what we really mean by 'religion'.

We make oaths when we marry, testify in court and are sworn-in to parliament. Obviously oaths can be — and have been — broken, so why do we still make them? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel examine the nature of oaths, promises and lies. 

The Parliament of the World’s Religions recently wrapped up its eighth convening in its 128-year history. Interfaith events create a shared space for dialogue between religions, but what do these dialogues aim to achieve, and how effective are they? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel of religious leaders find out. 

The Catholic Church in Australia – the country’s largest religion – has held the first session of its most important meeting. The Plenary Council is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it’s a time of hope and anxiety for Australian Catholics. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine what’s happened so far, and look forward to what could happen in the next session of the Plenary in 2022.

Some Jewish sacred texts are over 3000 years old, but are still read by nearly half the world’s population. In addition to Jews, there are four billion Christians and Muslims in the world, who draw - in differing ways - on the Hebrew Bible, or the Tanakh. Join James Carleton and the panel as they examine the Tanakh, and the text’s impact in history and on society today. 

We live in a culture that glorifies the individual, so is it any wonder that success or failure at work is a pressure that many find hard to bear? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore our relationship to work, the symptoms of being overworked, and how our job can affect our sense of identity.

Australia is a country where meat is our national icon — we commune around the barbie, and love our meat pies. Yet, we also have some of the oldest vegetarian societies and earliest western animal cruelty laws. On God Forbid, James Carleton and panel examine what we eat from cultural, ethical and historical perspectives.

Can playing games teach us anything about ourselves, and about the world? And what do games have in common with attending church? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the world of games and play. 

Biblical literacy is likely lower in Australia today than at any point since the convict era. Yet the legacy of this book – for better and worse – is still everywhere to be seen. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel examine what the Bible is and its influence on the nation’s history and society.

How do we deal with people with fringe beliefs? The extremes of politics, society and religion seem outlandish, but most of us know someone who has views we find strange. So do we try and change them, ignore them, or accept them on their own terms? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel seek the answers.

There's been a decline in the number of Australians identifying as religious, but that doesn’t make dealing with religion in public any easier. So how should governments of no religion deal with things like religious schools, religious clothing in public, tax exemptions and charitable status for religion? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel look at the religious exemptions that exist in our nation. 

In the Cold War era, we had the space race — the first satellite, first dog and first person in space. Today, it’s the first billionaire and his rocket, accompanied by wealthy space tourists. This Science Week, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel look at the law and ethics surrounding today’s space race and examine the wider space industry.

Poetry dates back thousands of years, with some scholars claiming it may even pre-date literacy. Rhythm and verse have been changing ever since, but have long aimed to capture perspective on the nature of existence. This Poetry Month, James Carleton panel explore everything from haiku to song lyrics.

It’s been 76 years since the bombing of Hiroshima, and for the three quarters of a century since nuclear stories remain front page news. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine the Cold War, nuclear medicine, nuclear meltdowns, nuclear science and technology and now the nuclear alternative energy source in the carbon constrained contemporary context.

You know the saying – you always hurt the ones you love? According to Freud, it’s the small differences that cause the biggest conflicts, and it’s something we see again and again in both religion and politics. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at sectarianism.

Another week has passed, and over half of the country has been sent into lockdown. While the pandemic poses a threat to our physical health and our health care system, there's also the mental and spiritual sides of our wellbeing to consider. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at the impacts of the pandemic beyond just our physical wellbeing.

Things can change rapidly during a pandemic, with Sydney's lockdown extended and Victoria entering its fifth. But does the vaccine rollout give reason to hope? In this hot potatoes edition of God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel examine the impacts of the Delta variant – and the vaccine rollout – on local, national and international levels.

The need for charity is always there, though the motives of giving remain complex, and the outcomes can be frustratingly mixed. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine the charity sector and the state of giving in Australia.

This year for NAIDOC Week, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel look at universities and Christian churches — two institutions that have a rapidly changing relationship with Australia’s First Peoples.

Is getting older a gift or a curse? What societal stigmas are attached to ageing? And how are older Australians coping during the COVID-19 pandemic? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel find out. 

Australia loves a legend - not just legendary sports stars, legendary stories too. But some stories are too extraordinary to be believed. So should we get rid of them and live in the real world? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore.

In some ways we will always be different – it’s a wonderful part of life, but it comes with disagreement and even conflict. But intolerance can be a good and natural response to the intolerable. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore the difference.

Each of us has our own complex environmental identity and culture – even if it’s not at the forefront of our mind – and religion can play a part. What we believe affects our behaviour, and what happens to the environment affects us all. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel look at climate change, religion and community organising.

Did you know that Brazil has more Catholics than any country in the world? It has also undergone a military dictatorship in which religion played a role, and the current president himself identifies as a Catholic – though his wife is an active member of a Baptist church. On God Forbid, James and our panel examine the various ways in which religion has shaped (and continues to shape) the Latin American country. 

We live in an era that glorifies youth, and at the same time, science promises to delay old age. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel ask, what will it mean if we let that go on without limit?

This week is 130 years to the day since Pope Leo XIII published Rerum Novarum, an encyclical – or open letter – about capital and labour. The Pope endorsed the right to private property but also named trade unions as a moral good. Today, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel discuss the Christians who contributed to socialist thought in Europe.

Faith and medicine have long gone hand-in-hand, but as medicine advances, that relationship is occasionally strained to breaking point. How do your doctors make the moral decisions needed to treat patients? And what happens if there’s not enough medicine to go around?

Love it or hate it – reality TV is now ubiquitous. We tend to think of the genre as a waste of time, but could there be something more to it? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore the ethical considerations that go into making and consuming some of the world’s most popular entertainment.

Commemorating Anzac Day ties us to every Anzac Day that has come before. This year, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel discuss military ethics and chaplaincy as Australia’s longest war – in Afghanistan – comes to an end.

What's it like to question your foundational beliefs about life, death, God and the universe? Does doubt pave the way to a more robust faith — or a way to unshackle ourselves from religion altogether? Join Justine Toh and our panel as they wrestle with unbelief — the big and the personal questions.

"Why aren't you married yet?" Being single is a stigma in faith-based communities which extol marriage and family. Guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel explore why being single doesn't mean going it alone.

At Easter, Christians say Jesus died for the sins of the world, only to be resurrected three days later. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panelists explore concepts of sacrifice throughout Christian history.

In many ways, young people who attend places of worship today are vastly different to those who attended decades ago. A new generation isn’t just attending in person, but also via online platforms like messaging, podcasts and even game streaming services. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore how Gen Z is engaging with religion, and how faith groups are responding.

The great writer and Nobel Prize winner André Gide said, “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and the less the artist does, the better." On God Forbid, James Carleton explores the relationship between art, humanity and the sacred with creatives Lindy Lee and Rod Pattenden.

It’s only March, yet we’ve already seen national and international institutions being shaken. From sexual assault allegations in Parliament, to the Royals in – and out – of Buckingham Palace, James and the panel take a look at what’s been making headlines so far in 2021.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about choosing to challenge gender bias. So what, exactly, needs to change? And what role can faith offer in the fight? Join Meredith Lake and our panel of remarkable women who are excelling in their respective fields.

All of us have an identity – an idea of who we are and our place in the world. But is identity fixed, or constantly in flux? On God Forbid, we explore some big questions and hear the personal experiences of our panellists this Mardi Gras.

During strange and difficult times, trust and faith can be quickly gained – and lost. Join James Carleton and the panel as they talk about leaving and losing their faith.

For all time we’ve honoured the dead. And in the course of Christian history, the veneration of saints is a big deal: Their feasts are still widely observed, like St Valentine’s Day. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at sainthood — from Catholic and Coptic traditions to secular saints. 

For more than a billion people around the world, Chinese New Year – or Lunar New Year – is their single most important annual celebration. In 2021, festivities begin on 12 February. On God Forbid, James and the panel take a moment to celebrate and delve into Chinese history in Australia since the gold rush.

We live in an era where mistrust is common – in governments, in religious and non-religious institutions and between different groups or ‘tribes.’ But how important is trust in a society – is it fundamental, or an optional extra we could do without? James Carleton and the panel find out. 

The problem of consciousness – and how we understand it – has been reflected upon since preliterate times. So what is consciousness, and who has consciousness? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel find out.

Whether we share it or not, we all have our own story: where we grew up, what we have experienced, who has shaped us - and how we piece it altogether. But why would someone pen that story, publish it and share it with the world? Is that an act of creativity, or vanity? On God Forbid, James and our panel of memoirists take a look at the power and purpose of memoirs.

COVID-19 changed the way we live at home. But how did it change for those who don't have a home? And is our definition of “homeless” an accurate reflection of what’s really going on? This week, James and the panel explore the issue of homelessness in Australia.

A good friend will stick with you through the ups and downs of life. But why is friendship given so little attention compared to our other loves: romance, marriage and family? On God Forbid, James and the panel explore why.

Over the Summer break, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel take a look at how games and stories can enrich the spiritual lives of people, no matter their age.

For all history people claim to have mystical experiences — a sense of timeless oneness with the universe or with God. It's not proof of the existence of the divine, but there is something going on here. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine Rumi, seizures and the Cloud of Unknowing.

It’s certainly been a year like no other; with the holiday season just around the corner, perhaps it’s a chance to unwind and enjoy a favourite film (or more than just one!) On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel delve into the world of movies for Hanukkah and Christmas. 

This week, James Carleton and the panel celebrate the International Day of People with Disability – a day declared by the U.N. We’ll hear the personal stories, celebrate the triumphs, as well as examine what barriers and prejudices still exist.

2020 has been a whirlwind of a year: from Black Lives Matter to Cancel Culture and – of course – the way COVID-19 has changed all our lives. On God Forbid, James and the panel review a selection of the hottest topics that made the headlines in 2020.

For many of us, when New Year’s Eve 1999 clicked over, it was a night we’ll never forget. And who can deny how much has changed since then? But how much has religion shaped – and been shaped by– the past 20 years? On God Forbid, James and the panel find out. 

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 shook American democracy to its core. Now that he has lost the 2020 election, it looks like he’s refusing to leave. If this can happen in the world’s most iconic democracy, what hope do the rest of us have? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine what it takes for democracy to survive and whether religious belief helps or harms this goal. 

It’s NAIDOC Week, where James and the panel explore this year’s theme “Always Was, Always Will Be.” The panel also open up and share their personal stories of pain and resilience. 

Climate change is impacting the health of our entire planet. But does it affect some people more than others? And what does effective climate action look like? This week, James Carleton is joined by people of different faiths to hear about how they’ve been tackling climate change. 

Can playing games teach us anything about ourselves, and about the world? And what do games have in common with attending church? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the world of games and play. 

Did you know that Brazil has more Catholics than any country in the world? It has also undergone a military dictatorship in which religion played a role, and the current president himself identifies as a Catholic – though his wife is an active member of a Baptist church. On God Forbid, James and our panel examine the various ways in which religion has shaped (and continues to shape) the Latin American country. 

Bronze-age fantasies to some; words of God for others. But for better or worse, sacred texts have an undeniable influence on all our lives. James Carleton is joined by a Coptic Christian, a Muslim and a Sikh to explore how each reads and lives out their scriptures.

In the survival of the fittest, how do the meek inherit the earth? James Carleton is joined by two prominent Anglican theologians with very different ideas to discuss evolution, the ordination of women and how the Bible shapes how they see the world.

What is religious nationalism, and what does it look like in our current global context? On God Forbid, James and the panel turn their attention to the East and the West — from Christian nationalism in the U.S. to Hindu nationalism in India.

If we’re living through a once-in-a-century pandemic, does that mean we need a once-in-a-century set of ethics to deal with it? On God Forbid, James and the panel explore the ethics of protests, vaccines and consent in the midst of COVID-19.

What is true leadership all about - giving or taking? Serving others, or being served? On God Forbid, James and our panel of leadership experts find out. 

Is it possible to be biologically dead, but socially alive? What would that entail? On God Forbid, James and panel find out more about the digital afterlife. 

Is getting older a gift or a curse? What societal stigmas are attached to ageing? And how are older Australians coping during the COVID-19 pandemic? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel find out. 

The problem of consciousness – and how we understand it – has been reflected upon since preliterate times. So what is consciousness, and who has consciousness? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel find out for RN Science Week.

It’s been 75 years since World War II ended in the Pacific– a devastating tragedy marked by the death of 75 million people. But how did the world – and Australia more specifically – deal with the aftermath of the war?