The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

In the aftermath of the Bondi massacre of 15 mostly Jewish people celebrating Hannukah, state and federal governments have passed hate speech laws. They're part of an effort to build social cohesion in a country scarred recently by growing antisemitism and other forms of religious hatred.  But does banning phrases such as "from the river to the sea" — used usually when supporting a Palestinian state –promote cohesion?  Can any law mandate unity? Criminologists Keiran Hardy and Rebecca Wickes from Griffith University argue in a recent paper that laws can help, but governments also need to look at declining trust, economic opportunity and loneliness. GUEST:Kieran Hardy, Associate Professor in Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is co-author of We can't coerce our way to social cohesion. Here's what else governments should be doing

Christian Democrats in the US are making a major pitch to win religious votes. Even with growing secularism, the US still has a big Christian majority and, for 40 years, Democrats have struggled to win their trust. But ahead of congressional elections in November, several white protestant clergy have announced they're running for the Democrats. One state politician and seminarian, James Talarico, is now the party's candidate for a Texas senate seat. GUEST:David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney.

In the aftermath of the Bondi massacre, state and federal governments have passed hate speech laws to help build social cohesion. But does banning phrases promote cohesion? Can any law mandate unity? Also in this episode, Christian Democrats in the US are making a major pitch to win religious votes. Will they pose a significant threat to Donald Trump at upcoming midterm elections?GUESTS:Kieran Hardy, Associate Professor in Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is co-author of: We can't coerce our way to social cohesion. Here's what else governments should be doing David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

Donald Trump found enthusiastic cheerleaders not only in the American Midwest but also the historic heartland of Europe. He spawned imitation movements across the continent, powered by a fear that Christian Europe was being lost to mass immigration. But the president's war on Iran and his aggressive foreign and trade policies are unnerving European parties that were once allies. GUEST:THOMAS FAZI, a columnist for UnHerd and Compact magazines has been watching this breakdown.

The enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullaly as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury comes amid a lot of talk about a quiet revival in British Christianity. While there is evidence – anecdotal and data – of this rise in people in the pews, the spiritual leader of the world's 85 million Anglicans faces a more complex challenge. Some British people are claiming a Christian identity with political, and other dubious, motives.GUEST: MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times has done a deep dive into this trend. 

This week, as part of the ABC's look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National. In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies. A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s. Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens.  GUEST:Associate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales

The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording. It's another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed. Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens. GUEST:Dr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture 

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He's called for an immediate ceasefire. Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care? Leo understands the brutal history of Iran's regime, but he's worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint. What balance is he trying to strike? GUEST:Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historian.

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He's called for an immediate ceasefire. Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care? Leo understands the brutal history of Iran's regime, but he's worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint. What balance is he trying to strike? This week, as part of the ABC's look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National. In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies. A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s. Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens. The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording. It's another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed. Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens. GUESTS:Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historianAssociate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South WalesDr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture 

Acclaimed journalist Robin Wright of The New Yorker covered Iran from the start of the 1979 revolution, which brought the first ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, to power. She's sceptical that the United States and Israel can bring change through aerial bombardment.GUEST Robin Wright of The New Yorker

Donald Trump says he's liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division? Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She's also part of the Iranian diaspora.Acclaimed journalist Robin Wright of The New Yorker covered Iran from the start of the 1979 revolution, which brought the first ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, to power.  She's sceptical that the United States and Israel can bring change through aerial bombardment.As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi'ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?  Dr Renae Barker specialises in law and religion at the University of Western Australia law.

Donald Trump says he's liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division? Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She's also part of the Iranian diaspora.Guest:Professor Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She's also part of the Iranian diaspora.

As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi'ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?  GuestDr Renae Barker Senior Lecturer, UWA Law School 

As Australia begins its royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, new research by the Pew Centre shows we're one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. There's no longer a majority religion, meaning many faiths have found a place. It's a finding that might surprise those who expected that much bigger countries, such as the United States or India, might claim the title. Yunping Tong was a senior researcher on the Pew team.GUEST: Yunping Tong is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center in Washington DC

When, and why, does criticism of Israel often descend into antisemitic tropes? How do you build a free Palestine and a secure, truly democratic Israel? Guardian columnist Jonathon Freedland has spent a quarter of century making the case for Jewish and Palestinian partnership. He's also the author of a new book about resisters in Nazi Germany, titled The Traitors' Circle. Jonathon's in Australia with The Jewish Independent and the New Israel Fund.GUEST:Jonathon Freedland is a Guardian columnist and former foreign correspondent

As Australia begins its royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, new research by the Pew Centre shows we're one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. There's no longer a majority religion, meaning many faiths have found a place. It's a finding that might surprise those who expected that much bigger countries, such as the United States or India, might claim the title. Yunping Tong was a senior researcher on the Pew team.When, and why, does criticism of Israel often descend into antisemitic tropes? How do you build a free Palestine and a secure, truly democratic Israel? Guardian columnist Jonathon Freedland has spent a quarter of century making the case for Jewish and Palestinian partnership. He's also the author of a new book about resisters in Nazi Germany, titled The Traitors' Circle. He's in Australia with The Jewish Independent and the New Israel Fund.GUESTS:Yunping Tong is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center in Washington DCJonathon Freedland is a Guardian columnist and former foreign correspondent

Buried in the latest tranche of documents about the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein is an extraordinary exchange of emails. They involve Epstein and the one-time adviser to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon. They discuss a plot to bring down the late Pope Francis. Bannon had long disliked Francis, but these emails suggest a deepening conspiracy. Claire Giangrave has been studying the emails. Professor  Anthea Butler, civil rights historian and theologian, discusses the life and ministry of the Rev, Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who has died, aged 83.It was a revolution where barely a shot was fired. Nuns armed with rosary beads helped lead millions of Filipinos in peaceful demonstrations that, 40 years ago this week, brought down the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ringing in the ears of the people was the voice of a soft-spoken archbishop who urged them to topple a corrupt and increasingly brutal regime. Just how critical was Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Church to the People Power revolution? Filipino historian Dr Jethro Calacday is currently with Cambridge University.GUESTS:Claire Giangrave, Rome-based reporter for RNS, covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican.Prof Anthea Butler, civil rights historian and theologian from the University of PennsylvaniaDr Jethro Talacday, Filippino historian currently at Cambridge University

It was a revolution where barely a shot was fired. Nuns armed with rosary beads helped lead millions of Filipinos in peaceful demonstrations that, 40 years ago this week, brought down the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ringing in the ears of the people was the voice of a soft-spoken archbishop who urged them to topple a corrupt and increasingly brutal regime. Just how critical was Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Church to the People Power revolution? Filipino historian Dr Jethro Calacday is currently with Cambridge University.GUEST:Dr Jethro Calacday, Filipino historian currently at Cambridge University

Professor Anthea Butler discusses the life and ministry of the Rev, Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who has died, aged 83.GUEST:Prof Anthea Butler is a civil rights historian and theologian from the University of Pennsylvania, 

Newly released files from the US Department of Justice suggest that Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser to US President Donald Trump, discussed strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein against Pope Francis, with Bannon saying he hoped to “take down” the pontiff.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?GUESTS:Josh Bornstein is a prominent lawyer, free speech advocate and Jewish Australian. He argues the visit to Australia by Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, has deepened divisions in Australia over the Gaza war. Meanwhile, Jeremy Leibler, also a lawyer and president of the Zionist Council of Australia, says the Herzog visit comes after Australia's worst terrorist attack, motivated by anti-Semitic hatred and brings comfort to a grieving Jewish community.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?On the ABC Religion & Ethics website, two prominent lawyers have been jousting over the issue. We're bringing that exchange to the airwaves.GUEST:Jeremy Leibler, also a lawyer and president of the Zionist Council of Australia, says the Herzog visit comes after Australia's worst terrorist attack, motivated by anti-Semitic hatred and brings comfort to a grieving Jewish community.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?On the ABC Religion & Ethics website, two prominent lawyers have been jousting over the issue. We're bringing that exchange to the airwaves.Josh Bornstein is a prominent lawyer, free speech advocate and Jewish Australian. He argues the visit to Australia by Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, has deepened divisions in Australia over the Gaza war.

The Islamic Republic of Iran finds itself, again, on the brink of conflict with the West, with the United States sending an armada to the region. The latest tension follows mass demonstrations – and the mass killings of protesters – across Iran and raises the question of just how long the 47-year-old theocratic regime can survive. GUEST:Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert of Macquarie University specialises in Iran and the Middle East and spent almost three years as a political prisoner in the regime's jails.

The world's 85 million Anglicans have a new spiritual leader, as Dame Sarah Mullally officially begins her term as Archbishop of Canterbury. She's first woman to hold the position. But her historic appointment has highlighted divisions in the Anglican world, including in Australia, where some conservatives have rejected her leadership.GUEST: Bishop Mark Short of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese is the new primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. It's his job to try to reconcile a fractious church.

The Islamic Republic of Iran finds itself, again, on the brink of conflict with the West, with the United States sending an armada to the region. The latest tension follows mass demonstrations – and the mass killings of protesters – across Iran and raises the question of just how long the 47-year-old theocratic regime can survive. Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert of Macquarie University specialises in Iran and the Middle East and spent almost three years as a political prisoner in the regime's jails.The world's 85 million Anglicans have a new spiritual leader, as Dame Sarah Mullally officially begins her term as Archbishop of Canterbury. She's first woman to hold the position. But her historic appointment has highlighted divisions in the Anglican world, including in Australia, where some conservatives have rejected her leadership. Bishop Mark Short of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese is the new primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. It's his job to try to reconcile a fractious church.John Allen Jr., a longtime Vaticanista and editor-in-chief of the Catholic publication Crux, died Jan. 22, 2026, at age 61.GUESTS: Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert -  Research Fellow in Security Studies at Macquarie University. Kylie is a political scientist specialising in the Middle EastBishop Mark Short of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese is the new primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.

Conservatism comes in many forms these days.And many of the groups and actors who claim the word for themselves are a rogues gallery.For Anthony Kronman there's another time honoured tradition of conservatism.It puts the common  good ahead of self interest, greed and ego.GUEST:Anthony T. Kronman is Sterling Professor of Law and a former dean of Yale Law School and author of True Conservatism: Reclaiming Our Humanity in an Arrogant Age

As the Vatican seeks to harness social media to spread its message, others are warning that artificial intelligence poses a huge challenge to all religion. Could AI even be a rival to faith, projecting itself as a source of wisdom that's neither human nor divine?Professor BETH SINGLER of the University of Zurich is the author of the new book, Religion and Artificial Intelligence.GUEST:Professor Beth Singler - Assistant Professor in Digital Religions at the University of Zurich

Long before Donald Trump up-ended traditional conservatism in the US, another charismatic figure was re-shaping the Republican Party.Writer William F. Buckley was the first editor of National Review, perhaps the most influential political magazine of the 20th century. Ronald Reagan was a particular enthusiast for its ideas.But there was another force in Buckley's life, and it often conflicted with his politics – the Catholic Church.GUEST:Sam Tanenhaus is the author of the acclaimed new biography, Buckley: The Life and Revolution that Changed America.This program first went to air in September 2025 and was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

Wokeness. It's a word that's gone from badge of pride to insult. It's an idea with religious roots, even though most of its champions would disdain any religious belief. Those who've embraced wokeness say they're promoting social justice. But to author Musa al-Gharbi, it's social justice for those wanting to feel progressive while clinging to the status of the upper middle class. His book is We Have Never Been Woke: the cultural contradictions of a new elite.GUEST:Dr Musa al-Garbi is a sociologist in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook UniversityThis program was first broadcast in March 2025 and was made on the lands of the Gadigal People.

Under President Erdogan, Turkiye has asserted itself as a regional leader.The country recently hosted meetings with Arab states to try to solve the Palestine-Israel conflict. But in July this year, mass demonstrations roiled Istanbul.The Enduring Hold of Islam in Turkey explains the rise and seemingly untouchable dominance of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.GUEST:David Tonge is a journalist and scholar who's lived half his life in Türkiye. This program was first broadcast in March 2025 and made on the lands of the Gadigal People

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