God Forbid - ABC RN

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.