The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

Monday, April 21, 2025 -- news sites globally announce the death of Pope Francis at 88. Even though his health has been fragile for months, the news still stuns the world.The news breaks just hours after Francis has given his Easter Sunday blessing and is to become the biggest religious story of 2025.And the funeral becomes a major geo-political event.Soon, inside the Vatican, the politicking for a new Pope begins in earnest...GUESTS:Colm Flynn from the Catholic broadcaster EWTN Claire Giangrave from the Religion News Service Clare Johnson from the Australian Catholic University Noel Debien ABC's senior religion specialist Papal historian Miles Pattenden of Oxford University Sandie Cornish of the Australian Catholic UniversityThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

If the first hundred days of a papacy can shake up the Catholic church, how much drama occurs over 80 years? For journalist Philip Shenon, there has been a constant tension – how much should the church judge the modern world and how much mercy should it extend? Philip's the author of a sweeping new history of the church since World War II. It's called Jesus Wept – Seven Popes and the Battle for The Soul of the Catholic Church. It chronicles the triumphs, controversies, and politics of the popes before Leo. GUESTPhilip Shenon, author and journalistThis program was first broadcast in August and was made on the lands of the Gadigal People.

Rabbi Zalman Kastel is the founder of Together for Humanity, which works across all faiths and cultures to encourage religious harmony. He knew several of those murdered in the Bondi Beach Chanukah attack. Even amid the darkness of the anti-Semitic violence, and the despair of many fellow Jewish Australians, he says he's determined to keep up the challenging but necessary work of inter-religious dialogue.Peter Kurti, Anglican priest and senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies, has been charting the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response. He believes the federal government has been reluctant to tackle specific anti-Jewish prejudice.Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology, Sydney, agrees Australian multiculturalism is under strain after the Bondi massacre, but says it can survive if governments focus on curtailing violent behaviour rather than religious condemnation. GUESTS:Rabbi Zalman Kastel, head of Together for Humanity and leader in interfaith relationsPeter Kurti, Director of the Culture, Prosperity & Civil Society program at the Centre for Independent StudiesAndrew Jakubovicz is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Technology Sydney - his research areas include new media and social change, racism and ethnicity, public policy and marginalised minorities.

Religion specialist Noel Debien with a preview of religious stories in 2026 - including the consistory in Rome in first week of January, plus the installation of Dr Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of CanterburyGUEST:Noel Debien is the new editor of the Religion and Ethics Unit at Radio National

As Australians begin Christmas and summer breaks, around the world 50 million people will toil in modern slavery.

A famous Australian beach erupts in violence. A clash of cultures and religion or a drunken brawl?  Graeme Cole joins us from Cronulla Beach on the 20th anniversary of the riots and the story that evolved.GUEST:Graeme Cole, writer and fellow at the Ethos Centre for Christianity and Society

As Australians begin Christmas and summer breaks, around the world 50 million people will toil in modern slavery. That's according to the International Labour Organisation.South Asia and Southeast Asia are among the worst places for exploitation. It's something anti-slavery advocates are urging consumers to investigate when they consider Christmas purchases.GUEST:Grace Wong is chief advocacy officer for the International Justice Mission, a faith-based anti-slavery organisation. International Justice Mission's Christmas campaign against human trafficking

While Pope Leo uses his Middle East trip to tackle global conflicts, in the country of his birth, the Church is increasingly at odds with the Trump administration. Leo grew up on the streets of Chicago, where politics and religion went hand in hand. GUEST:Heidi Schlumpf is senior correspondent for Commonweal Magazine and a former editor of The National Catholic Reporter, based for many years in Chicago.

Australia's Catholic priests are deeply involved in their local communities and have a strong sense of purpose. But many are also lonely, at times ashamed of their church, and sometimes turn to alcohol to handle stress. They're the findings of a major study into the lives of Catholic clergy, conducted by the church's National Centre for Pastoral Research.GUEST:Dr Trudy Dantis, Director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research

Pope Leo is wrapping up his first overseas trip as pontiff. He's been in Turkiye and Lebanon and he's used the trip to drive home a message about the major conflicts currently wracking the world. Claire Giangrave of the Religion News Service is travelling with the Pope and is in Beirut.

Australia's Catholic priests are deeply involved in their local communities and have a strong sense of purpose. But many are also lonely, at times ashamed of their church, and sometimes turn to alcohol to handle stress. They're the findings of a major study into the lives of Catholic clergy, conducted by the church's National Centre for Pastoral Research. One of the authors is Dr Trudi Dantis.Pope Leo is wrapping up his first overseas trip as pontiff. He's been in Turkiye and Lebanon and he's used the trip to drive home a message about the major conflicts currently wracking the world. Claire Giangrave of the Religion News Service is travelling with the Pope and is in Beirut.While Pope Leo uses his Middle East trip to tackle global conflicts, in the country of his birth, the Church is increasingly at odds with the Trump administration. Leo grew up on the streets of Chicago, where politics and religion went hand in hand. Heidi Schlumpf is senior correspondent for Commonweal magazine and a former editor of The National Catholic Reporter, based for many years in Chicago.GUESTS:Claire Giangrave Rome-based reporter for RNS, covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican.Dr Trudy Dantis, Director of the National Centre for Pastoral ResearchHeidi Schlumpf is senior correspondent for Commonweal Magazine

Australia's landmark ban on people under 16 using social media begins next month. It's the first time any government in the world has used a ban to shield children from social media, particularly online predators who use the platforms. But is the new law comprehensive? GUEST:Melinda Tankard-Reist is a member of the government's Stakeholder Advisory Panel and heads the advocacy group Collective Shout.You can find resources for parents here to help manage the new laws

One of the Trump administration's most divisive policies is the mass raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. About 65,000 people, not all undocumented migrants, are now in detention. Some of the most dramatic confrontations have occurred in Chicago, where religious leaders have been protesting. One of them is Baptist minister MICHAEL WOOLF of the Lake Street Church in Evanston.GUEST:The Reverend Dr Michael Woolf is Pastor at Lake Street Church in Illinois.

Indian Americans are one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in the US. But a fracture has opened in the community over the role of Hindu faith and identity. Some Indian Americans are pushing back against Hindutva, a form of religious nationalism and the campus of Rutgers University has become a flashpoint. GUEST:Richa Karmarkar is senior writer at the Religion New Service based in New York and has written on Rutgers

Australia's landmark ban on people under 16 using social media begins next month. It's the first time any government in the world has used a ban to shield children from social media, particularly online predators who use the platforms. But is the new law comprehensive? MELINDA TANKARD-REIST is a member of the government's Stakeholder Advisory Panel.One of the Trump administration's most divisive policies is the mass raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. About 65,000 people, not all undocumented migrants, are now in detention. Some of the most dramatic confrontations have occurred in Chicago, where religious leaders have been protesting. One of them is Baptist minister MICHAEL WOOLF of the Lake Street Church in Evanston.Indian Americans are one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in the US. But a fracture has opened in the community over the role of Hindu faith and identity. Some Indian Americans are pushing back against Hindutva, a form of religious nationalism and the campus of Rutgers University has become a flashpoint. RICHA KARMARKAR of the Religion New Service has been covering the story.GUESTS:Melinda Tankard-Reist heads the advocacy group Collective Shout.The Reverend Dr Michael Woolf is Pastor at Lake Street Church in Illinois.Richa Karmarkar is a journalist and senior writer for the Religious News Service based in New York

Pope Leo flies east next week on his first overseas visit as pontiff. He goes first to Türkiye, a country where the Christian population has dwindled to less than one per-cent. He'll meet the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholemew, who leads most of the world's Orthodox Christians, and with the controversial president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's been styling himself as a new sultan of the broader Islamic world. But it will be the second leg of Leo's trip, to Lebanon, that's potentially more challenging. Christians are around a third of the population but there are real fears that external actors, including Iran and Israel, could destabilise the fragile religious settlement that has survived for more than 30 years. Dr ROULA TALHOUK is the director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.For Donald Trump's administration, there are a few more inviting targets than America's universities. Ivy League institutions, including Harvard, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, have lost federal funds and been subject to more direct government control. The administration claims it is trying to combat campus domination by the ideological left. Philosophy professor YUVAL AVNUR of Scripps College, and two colleagues, Stephanie Muravchik and Jon Shields, were especially worried about these attacks and began to investigate the allegations of bias in university and college courses. They published part of their results in the online journal, Persuasion. GUESTS:Dr Roula Talhouk, director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.Professor Yuval Avnur of Scripps College, California.This show was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

Pope Leo flies east next week on his first overseas visit as pontiff. He goes first to Türkiye, a country where the Christian population has dwindled to less than one per-cent. He'll meet the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholemew, who leads most of the world's Orthodox Christians, and with the controversial president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's been styling himself as a new sultan of the broader Islamic world. But it will be the second leg of Leo's trip to Lebanon that's potentially more challenging. Christians are around a third of the population but there are real fears that external actors, including Iran and Israel, could destabilise the fragile religious settlement that has survived for more than 30 years. GUEST:Dr Roula Talhouk, director of the Institute for Muslim-Christian Studies at St Joseph's University in Beirut.Related story - Taybeh is the last predominantly Christian village left in the West Bank 

For Donald Trump's administration, there are a few more inviting targets than America's universities. Ivy League institutions, including Harvard, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, have lost federal funds and been subject to more direct government control. The administration claims it is trying to combat campus domination by the ideological left. Philosophy professor YUVAL AVNUR of Scripps College, and two colleagues, Stephanie Muravchik and Jon Shields, were especially worried about these attacks and began to investigate the allegations of bias in university and college courses. They published part of their results in the online journal, Persuasion. 

There has been an escalation of Israeli settler violence against Palestinian villagers, which include destruction of olive trees and armed incursions, often by minors.But there's help at hand for these olive farmers bringing in their harvest, which began in earnest at the beginning of October.It comes from Rabbis For Human Rights – an Israeli organisation who gather groups of Israeli volunteers to help protect the farmers from the settler raids and help with the harvest. GUEST:Anton Goodman is Director of Partnerships at Rabbis for Human Rights.

Hollywood comes to the Vatican this weekend, as Pope Leo hosts a bevy of actors, actresses, directors, and producers, including Australian Cate Blanchett.The first American pope has also released a list of his favourite movies, all of them Oscar winners. The Vatican correspondent for Reuters JOSHUA MCELWEE will be close to the red carpet.

The second richest man in the world and tech bro extraordinaire, Peter Thiel, has lately been giving lectures on Armageddon and the Antichrist to rapt audiences. These lectures attempt to fuse beliefs about technology and religion. Adrian Daub was unable to get one of the sold out tickets, but has been following these lecture tours with great interest.GUEST:Professor Adrian Daub, a German literary scholar and Professor of German and Comparative Literature at Stanford University

While the shaky ceasefire in Gaza dominates the news from Israel, according to the UN, radical Jewish settlers in the Palestinian West Bank have committed more than 700 attacks so far this year on Palestinians and their property. But one group of Israelis is standing with the Palestinians, especially the farmers trying to harvest their olives, which are a key source of income. Rabbis for Human Rights brings together liberal, Orthodox and Conservative rabbis opposed to the militant settlers. Their spokesman is ANTON GOODMAN. Hollywood comes to the Vatican this weekend, as Pope Leo hosts a bevy of actors, actresses, directors, and producers, including Australian Cate Blanchett. The first American pope has also released a list of his favourite movies, all of them Oscar winners. The Vatican correspondent for Reuters JOSHUA MCELWEE will be close to the red carpet.Tech mogul Peter Thiel is best known as the man who inspired then helped bankroll the political career of US Vice President JD Vance. He made his fortune with PayPal but he's building a reputation as a quasi-preacher, preoccupied with the biblical notions of Armageddon and the devil. ADRIAN DAUB, a professor of literature and German at Stanford University, has been following Peter Thiel's deep dive into apocalyptic thinking.GUESTS:Anton Goodman is Director of Partnerships at Rabbis for Human Rights.Joshua McElwee Vatican Correspondent for ReutersProfessor Adrian Daub from Stanford UniversityThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

A group linked to the Al Qaeda Islamist network is closing in on the capital of Mali, in north-west Africa. This group, known as JNIM, now controls swathes of territory in the Sahel, a region that stretches across several countries in the Sahara. If JNIM takes the capital, Bamako, it would be the first time an Al Qaeda affiliate has seized power in a country. What would that mean for Africa and the Islamic world? GUEST:Dr Tessa Deveraux- Assistant Professor in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London

One of the geopolitical tactics Russia has used in its war with Ukraine has been to divide opinion among the world's Orthodox Christians. Vladimir Putin is not the first Russian leader to style himself as a champion of Orthodox communities but in Greece and the Middle East, he's tried to marshal sympathy among Christians.Dr MANOS KARAGIANNIS specialises in international security at Kings College, London. He was in Australia recently with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

A group linked to the Al Qaeda Islamist network is closing in on the capital of Mali, in north-west Africa. This group, known as JNIM, now controls swathes of territory in the Sahel, a region that stretches across several countries in the Sahara. If JNIM takes the capital, Bamako, it would be the first time an Al Qaeda affiliate has seized power in a country. What would that mean for Africa and the Islamic world? Dr TESSA DEVEREAUX has been analysing the situation.On the fiftieth anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government, you'll hear many theories about Gough Whitlam's downfall. But ROY WILLIAMS has explored one reason that by no means caused but may have contributed to the events of November 11, 1975. Williams is the author of In God They Trust: The Religious Beliefs of Australia's Prime Ministers. He also has a very personal connection. His late father, Evan Williams, was a speechwriter and long-time confidante of Whitlam. Roy wonders if a throwaway insult about the faith of then Queensland premier Joh Bjelke Petersen hardened the resolve of Whitlam's opponents.One of the geopolitical tactics Russia has used in its war with Ukraine has been to divide opinion among the world's Orthodox Christians. Vladimir Putin is not the first Russian leader to style himself as a champion of Orthodox communities but in Greece and the Middle East, he's tried to marshal sympathy among Christians. Dr MANOS KARAGIANNIS aas in Australia recently with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.GUESTS:Dr Tessa Deveraux- Assistant Professor in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in LondonProfessor Roy Williams - legal academic and authorDr Manos Karagiannis specialises in international security at Kings College, London.This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

The early 1990s was, for Catholics, a time of political ascendancy – a Catholic prime minister, governor-general, and five of the seven high court justices. One of them was Sir Gerard Brennan, whose most famous judgement was the Mabo decision granting native title to indigenous Australians. How did his religion influence his decisions as a judge? His son, Jesuit priest Frank Brennan, has released a two volume-collection of his father's articles and speeches, giving an extraordinary insight into the thinking of a jurist who helped shape Australian law.GUEST: Father Frank Brennan Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academic

While the tragedy of Gaza never seems to leave the headlines, the war in Ukraine dips in and out of the news. That's despite the past six months seeing the most intensive fighting of the conflict. Tetiana Stawnychy heads the Ukraine operation of the aid agency Caritas. She's in Australia meeting supporters.The early 1990s was, for Catholics, a time of political ascendancy – a Catholic prime minister, governor-general, and five of the seven high court justices. One of them was Sir Gerard Brennan, whose most famous judgement was the Mabo decision granting native title to indigenous Australians. How did his religion influence his decisions as a judge? His son, Jesuit priest Frank Brennan, has released a two volume-collection of his father's articles and speeches, giving an extraordinary insight into the thinking of a jurist who helped shape Australian law.GUESTS:Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, based in Kyiv, UkraineFather Frank Brennan Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academicDuring the COVID pandemic emergency physician Stephen Parnis from St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne was a prominent medical voice. Dr Parnis will be giving the 2025 lecture to the Plunkett Centre for Ethics on Wednesday November 5 in Sydney at the Australian Catholic University.This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

While the tragedy of Gaza never seems to leave the headlines, the war in Ukraine dips in and out of the news. That's despite the past six months seeing the most intensive fighting of the conflict. Tetiana Stawnychy heads the Ukraine operation of the aid agency Caritas. She's in Australia meeting supporters and explains what day to day life is like in the capital Kiev, and the complexities of the agency's work across war-torn Ukraine.GUEST:Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, based in Kyiv, Ukraine

King Charles and Pope Leo will have their first meeting this week at the Vatican. But it will be much more than a meeting of two heads of state. For the first time in 500 years, the leader of the Catholic church and the supreme governor of the Church of England, which broke away from Rome in the 1530s, will pray together publicly in the Sistine Chapel. They'll devote their prayers to their shared concerns about the environment, religious harmony and global peace. Fiji is facing an HIV crisis, with one of the fastest growing rates of infection in the Asia-Pacific. The number of people with HIV has more than tripled in the past six years. It now stands at just over 6,000. The Uniting Church's overseas agency is working with local health authorities. How can Christians and other religious believers live out their faith when many of its principles conflict, not only with new social norms but the laws of the land? Patrick Parkinson is the former dean of the Queensland University law school and an internationally recognised expert on child protection. He tries to chart a course in his new book, Unshaken Allegiance: Living wisely as Christians with Diminishing Religious Freedoms.GUESTS:Luke Coppen is UK editor of The Pillar, a website that covers the Catholic worldAlice Salomon is the head of United advocacy and she's just back from the capital, SuvaPatrick Parkinson is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of QueenslandThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

King Charles and Pope Leo will have their first meeting this week at the Vatican. But it will be much more than a meeting of two heads of state.For the first time in 500 years, the leader of the Catholic church and the supreme governor of the Church of England, which broke away from Rome in the 1530s, will pray together publicly in the Sistine Chapel. They'll devote their prayers to their shared concerns about the environment, religious harmony and global peace. GUEST:Luke Coppen is UK editor of The Pillar, a website that covers the Catholic world

How can Christians and other religious believers live out their faith when many of its principles conflict, not only with new social norms but the laws of the land? Patrick Parkinson is the former dean of the Queensland University law school and an internationally recognised expert on child protection. He tries to chart a course in his new book, Unshaken Allegiance: Living wisely as Christians with Diminishing Religious Freedoms.GUEST:Patrick Parkinson is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Queensland

Fiji is facing an HIV crisis, with one of the fastest growing rates of infection in the Asia-Pacific. The number of people with HIV has more than tripled in the past six years. It now stands at just over 6,000. The Uniting Church's overseas agency is working with local health authorities. GUEST:Alice Salomon is the head of United advocacy and she's just back from the capital, Suva

Victor Kattan, former legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority, examines the reality of the Trump plan for Gaza. He also discusses why an almost 100-year-old case of British war crimes in Palestine could haunt events today.Pope Leo XIV has issued his first major statement since assuming office. In a “papal exhortation” titled I Have Loved You, he echoes Francis's concern about deepening economic inequality. At a time when tech moguls have amassed extraordinary fortunes, Leo has some tough words about hoarding wealth. Dr Sandie Cornish of Australian Catholic University has been reading the statement closely.Sarah Mullally may be a historic choice as the new Archbishop of Canterbury but how will she deal with the chasm that has opened in the world-wide Anglican Church in recent years? The church of 85 million followers is deeply divided over sexuality and gender. Is there also a lingering opposition to women as bishops and even priests? GUESTS:Victor Kattan is Assistant Professor in Public International Law at the University of Nottingham and wrote a piece for the Religion and Ethics website on British war crimes in Palestine in 1935Dr Sandie Cornish is Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology at the Australian Catholic University and specialises in the field of Catholic Social TeachingAustralian priest Andrew McGowan is dean of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University and a former editor of The Journal of Anglican Studies.This program is made on the lands of the Gadigal People

Sarah Mullally may be a historic choice as the new Archbishop of Canterbury but how will she deal with the chasm that has opened in the world-wide Anglican Church in recent years? The church of 85 million followers is deeply divided over sexuality and gender. Is there also a lingering opposition to women as bishops and even priests? GUEST:Australian priest Andrew McGowan is dean of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University and a former editor of The Journal of Anglican Studies.

A former legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority, Victor Kattan, examines the reality of the Trump plan for Gaza.He also discusses why an almost 100-year-old case of British war crimes in Palestine could haunt events today.GUEST:Victor Kattan is Assistant Professor in Public International Law at the University of Nottingham and wrote a piece for the Religion and Ethics website on British war crimes in Palestine in 1935

Pope Leo XIV has issued his first major statement since assuming office. In a “papal exhortation” titled I Have Loved You, he echoes Francis's concern about deepening economic inequality. At a time when tech moguls have amassed extraordinary fortunes, Leo has some tough words about hoarding wealth. GUEST:Dr Sandie Cornish is Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology at the Australian Catholic University and specialises in the field of Catholic Social Teaching

One in three girls around the world routinely experience violence and many are forced into marriage, according to the United Nations. October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child. To mark the day, the Christian aid organisation World Vision has launched an Australian initiative called “1,000 voices for 1,000 girls”. The world's 85 million Anglicans have a new spiritual leader, and she's made history. Dame Sarah Mullally is the new Archbishop of Canterbury. The one-time nurse is the first woman to hold the position. But she faces formidable obstacles. Many Anglicans, especially in the Africa, where the faith is booming, disapprove of women priests and the growing liberalism in the church towards homosexuality. The headlines scream about a university sector in crisis. Are they credential factories or places of pure intellectual inquiry? For historian Peter Harrison of Notre Dame University, the sector should reach right back to the ancient wisdom of the Greeks for inspiration. Peter's the author of the new book, Some New World. He's also delivering the 2025 New College lectures at UNSW, titled “God and the Secular University”.GUESTS:Mel Carswell is World Vision's Australian spokesperson.Madeleine Davies is a senior writer who wrote a piece on the new Archbishop in The Church Times in London.Peter Harrison is an historian at Notre Dame University AustraliaThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

The headlines scream about a university sector in crisis. Are they credential factories or places of pure intellectual inquiry? For historian Peter Harrison of Notre Dame University, the sector should reach right back to the ancient wisdom of the Greeks for inspiration. GUEST:Peter Harrison is the author of the new book, Some New World. He's also delivering the 2025 New College lectures at UNSW, titled “God and the Secular University”.

The world's 85 million Anglicans have a new spiritual leader, and she's made history. Dame Sarah Mullally is the new Archbishop of Canterbury. The one-time nurse is the first woman to hold the position. But she faces formidable obstacles. Many Anglicans, especially in the Africa, where the faith is booming, disapprove of women priests and the growing liberalism in the church towards homosexuality.Guest:Madeleine Davies is a senior writer with The Church Times in London and wrote a profile on the new Archbishop

One in three girls around the world routinely experience violence, according to the United Nations. And child marriage remains a problem for many girls, some as young as 9 years old!October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child. To mark the day, the Christian aid organisation World Vision has launched an Australian initiative called “1,000 voices for 1,000 girls”. GUEST:Mel Carswell is World Vision's Australian spokesperson.

The leader of the world's 17 million Mormons, Russell Nelson, has died, aged 101. The former heart surgeon didn't assume the role of prophet until he was in his nineties and, yet, in death, he's being described as a transformational figure in the Church of Latter-Day Saints, as Mormons are known formally. His death came the same day that four members of the church died in an attack on a church in Michigan. Professor DAVID SMITH of the US Studies Centre wrote about extensively about the Mormon church in his 2015 book Religious Persecution and Political Order in the United States.Why would a liberal Muslim who spent his teenage and college years arguing against the power of Christianity in American politics now pine for the old-fashioned religious right? Why would he look kindly on a Republican president who started a war in Iraq and call it a “religious crusade”? In an essay for The New York Times, published over the weekend, writer ZAID JILANI explained this radical change of heart.The streets of London recently filled with thousands of protesters taking part in so-called “Unite the Kingdom” rallies. Many objected to large-scale immigration. Some used Christian symbols to bolster their cause, prompting a former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to warn against co-opting the cross for nationalist campaigns. Has the Christian nationalism that defines much of the American Right now migrated to Britain? DAVID CAMPANALE is a freelance journalist who spent 30 years with the BBC. He covered the rally for Premier Christian Radio and Christianity Magazine. David's also a fellow of the Danube Institute.

The streets of London recently filled with thousands of protesters taking part in so-called “Unite the Kingdom” rallies.Many objected to large-scale immigration. Some used Christian symbols to bolster their cause, prompting a former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to warn against co-opting the cross for nationalist campaigns. Has the Christian nationalism that defines much of the American Right now migrated to Britain? GUEST:DAVID CAMPANALE is a freelance journalist who spent 30 years with the BBC. He covered the rally for Premier Christian Radio and Christianity Magazine. David's also a fellow of the Danube Institute.