God Forbid - Podcast

Australians are becoming increasingly irreligious, but our devotion to sport is unwavering. As Australia tests its mettle at the Commonwealth Games, the national cricket team’s ball tampering has them caught out. It’s just a game, so why did it feel like a betrayal? There’s more at play when it comes to sport.

Oops! You’ve done wrong, and now you cannot pass Go, and you do not collect $200. We generally agree that to err is human, and to forgive is divine – but is forgiveness always possible? On the intersection of Passover and Easter, James Carleton explores what Jews and Christians think about the gift of a second chance.

Jesus said for his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, but it feels like something went wrong. James Carleton speaks to Aboriginal Christians Brooke Prentis and Kathleen Butler to find out if it’s possible to untangle the conversion from the coercion, and to see how – far from being wiped out – Dreamtime spirituality is actually changing Christianity in Australia.

Sure, the Enlightenment was good, but it wasn’t everything. At least, that’s what these thinkers say. In this episode James Carleton hears about the past, present and future of western democracy.

Feminism can be seen as an F-word in communities of faith, and given what’s said about women in many holy texts, feminists can be just as sceptical of religion. James Carleton speaks with two religious feminists who say faith can and does liberate women – but only if they can take positions of leadership in religious institutions.

On the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras, James Carleton asks, is it possible to be fabulous and faithful? Godly and gay? Holy and homosexual? Same-sex marriage is now law of the land, but LGBTIQ people are still seeking acceptance in communities of faith.

Religion is full of issues you wouldn’t raise in polite company, but this week James Carleton is joined by two firebrand Catholics who aren’t afraid to tuck into the issues others find too hot to handle.

The classic slogan from Apple aimed to convert Windows users to a different operating system, but don’t worry, we’re not trying to sell you anything—we’re talking changing religion.

It’s only been 39 years since Iran went from Shah to sharia. Replacing 2500 years of Persian monarchy with a new Islamic republic isn’t exactly simple – so where to from here?

What happens when the rich and poor come together to worship?

No, not a phone call, but a vocational call – not to a career necessarily, but to fulfil your life’s purpose. How do you figure out what that is? There’s too much to choose from!

Sorry not sorry, we’re exploring apologetics. James Carleton is joined by an ex-Mormon atheist and a Christian apologist who, amongst other things, once gave a Bible to a senior Taliban leader.

Sikhism has quietly contributed to Australian society for the last 150 years – it wouldn’t be the same country without it!

Does religion cause violence?

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions still practised today, and while most religious communities in Australia are shrinking, Hinduism grows.

What does it mean to be happy, even amongst despair?

James Carleton is joined by a cult-busting expert, a former cult member and a six-foot lesbian ex-Mormon to probe the world of sects and cults.

People used to get that inner-glow through karma or Christ, but now it can be achieved through cleansing, contemplation and colonics.

James Carleton is joined by two Christians who seek to find the divine spark in screen and song.

Do you buy stuff you never use? And then do you throw it away? Is it choice, or is there something more destructive going on ?