God Forbid artwork

God Forbid

243 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratings

Religion: it’s at the centre of world affairs, but profound questions still remain. Why are you here? What happens when you die? Does God matter? God Forbid seeks the answers.

Religion & Spirituality Society & Culture Philosophy
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Episodes

NAIDOC Week: Torres Strait Islands

July 02, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

The big questions on AI — capability, morality and faith

June 25, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Suffering and resilience

June 18, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

 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.

Church, God and guns

June 11, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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 - The Search for Meaning

June 04, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Cultivating compassion: a radical idea

May 28, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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. 

Praying for priests: the shortage of clergy in Australia

May 21, 2022 20:05 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MB

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. 

A leap of faith: from religious deconstruction to reconstruction

May 14, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

A prayer or a pill? Exploring mental health science and religion

May 07, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Does Australia need a Bill of Rights?

April 30, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

Is the right to vote truly equal?

April 23, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Jesus lived. So, who was he?

April 16, 2022 20:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

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. 

Finding faith in fiction

April 02, 2022 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Paganism: myths, magic, and nature conservation

March 26, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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. 

Ukraine and Russia: religion and the politics of war

March 19, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

University chaplaincy in a changing world

March 12, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Sydney's Mardi Gras: the complexities of Pride and faith

March 05, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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? 

What if we lived with less?

February 26, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

The different dimensions of loneliness

February 19, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

How to form new habits — and break old ones

February 12, 2022 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

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.

What do Pentecostals believe?

February 05, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

Does sci-fi transcend — or reveal — our human limitations?

January 29, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

How urban legends tell our story

January 22, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Lessons in leadership

January 15, 2022 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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 hot potatoes of 2021

December 11, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Toward an inclusive society for people with disability

December 04, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

Reflections on consumerism: buying more, gaining less?

November 27, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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: aspiration, inspiration, and transformation

November 20, 2021 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

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. 

Human kind — understanding kindness during tough times and beyond

November 13, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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?

To believe or not to believe: atheism on the rise

November 06, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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'.

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

October 30, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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. 

What brings the world’s religions together?

October 23, 2021 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MB

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 Plenary – where to from here?

October 16, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

A Jewish perspective on sacred texts

October 09, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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. 

Exploring achievement addiction and burnout

October 02, 2021 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Food for thought — why do we eat what we eat?

September 25, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

A Christian perspective on sacred texts

September 11, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Examining fringe beliefs

September 04, 2021 20:05 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MB

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.

Why do we give religious exemptions?

August 28, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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. 

Billionaires are launching into space – is that a good thing?

August 21, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

What inspires us to compose poems?

August 14, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

The ethics of going nuclear

August 07, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

Sectarian conflicts in church, mosque and state

July 31, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

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.

Mental and spiritual wellness in isolation

July 24, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Lockdowns, vaccines and COVID-19 ad campaigns

July 17, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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 complexities of charity

July 10, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

Healing country, campus and church

July 03, 2021 20:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MB

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.

Disagreeing well

June 12, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

What's your ecocultural identity?

June 05, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.

How is religion shaping Brazil?

May 29, 2021 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB

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.