God Forbid
243 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsReligion: 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.
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Episodes
The spiritual crisis of parenting
February 29, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBPeople say there's nothing that can quite prepare you to be a parent. That's probably because through the highs and lows, you learn as much about the best (and worst) of yourself as you do about your child. Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel dwell on the spiritual lives of parents and children.
Why religions say humans have intrinsic value
February 22, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAustralia is a secular society, but there's a religious claim that forms part of the foundation of its liberal democratic values: That all people, regardless of circumstance, have intrinsic value. Judaism and Christianity claim every person is "made in the image of God", but what does this mean in practise? Guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel discuss work, gender, ageing, disability and the need for rest.
Spiritual care in the midst of disaster
February 15, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBDisaster recovery chaplains have had their longest summer in years. The drought, bushfires and now floods have ravaged the country and left thousands in need of support. Guest host Justine Toh speaks with three disaster recovery chaplains who were deployed to spiritually support people in the midst of crisis.
What Buddhism offers the West
February 08, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBBuddhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in the country, but it seems Australia is changing Buddhism just as much as Buddhism is changing Australia. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore enlightenment, suffering and Humanistic Buddhism.
How medieval mystics shape faith today
February 01, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBFor all history people claim to have mystical experiences - a sense of timeless oneness with the universe or with God. It's not proof of the existence of the divine, but there is something going on here. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine Rumi, seizures and the Cloud of Unknowing.
How do we know what we know?
January 25, 2020 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIf something is true, you should be able to prove it. Sounds reasonable, but is it correct? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel investigate the nature of knowledge and the philosophy of science.
How religion dominated headlines in 2019
December 07, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBReligion was everywhere in 2019, and it looks like 2020 will be no different. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel take a look at Australia's Pentecostal prime minister, religious freedom legislation, and what's happening to the Catholic Church.
'Tis the season to be singing
November 30, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIs God in all music — both good and bad? On the first day of Advent, James Carleton and the panel look at the significance of religious music, from traditional hymns to contemporary hits.
Building sacred spaces
November 23, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBWhy are mosques mainly round in shape, and why do many church buildings have long aisles? Join James Carleton and the panel as they unpack the rich heritage of religious architecture.
Is doubt the death of faith?
November 16, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat's it like to question your foundational beliefs about life, death, God and the universe? Does doubt pave the way to a more robust faith — or a way to unshackle ourselves from religion altogether? Join Justine Toh and our panel as they wrestle with unbelief — the big and the personal questions.
Wild spirituality for a warming world
November 09, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBScientists tell us we are in the middle of a climate crisis. There are many contributing factors, but could our theology be partly to blame? Guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel explore the wild world of eco-spirituality.
The future of faith is female
November 02, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBHow much say do young women of faith have in their religious communities and society at large? Justine Toh and our all-female panel open up about the opportunities, challenges and their personal stories.
Why sacred texts matter (even if you don't believe)
October 26, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBBronze-age fantasies to some; words of God for others. But for better or worse, sacred texts have an undeniable influence on all our lives. James Carleton is joined by a Coptic Christian, a Muslim and a Sikh to explore how each reads and lives out their scriptures.
How your diet reveals what you believe
October 19, 2019 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBFood. It's more than just calories — it forms the very basis of our culture and community. The God Forbid panel discusses everything from fasting to feasting, chickpeas to cannibalism.
Islam and the West — who controls the story?
October 12, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIt's been 18 years, but 9/11 is still affecting the lives of Muslims in the West. This week's God Forbid panel has a spirited discussion about sharia law, political Islam and Western colonialism in the Middle East.
How faith helps (and harms) mental health
October 05, 2019 19:05 - 53 minutes - 74.1 MBModern psychology draws from the wisdom of religious tradition in the form of meditation and mindfulness, but is the Buddhist concept of 'no self' at odds with exploring who you are? During Mental Health Week, the God Forbid panel examines the complex intersection between psychology and spirituality.
Confucianism's Chinese comeback
September 28, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBDuring the Cultural Revolution, Confucianism was seen as obsolete. Now as the People's Republic of China turns 70, Confucianism is resurgent and it's all thanks to the Chinese Government. It means other faith traditions are under pressure to be patriotic, or face state sanction.
Don't call it a cult
September 21, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBWhat's the difference between a religion and a cult? These two religious studies professors say the distinction isn't useful, and that "cult" is pejorative. The God Forbid panel explores new religious movements and why we classify different belief systems in different ways.
Ageing well with dementia
September 14, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBOver the next 40 years more than 6 million Australians will have some form of dementia — most likely Alzheimer's disease. That means nearly all of us will either have dementia, or love someone that does. Who are you if you don't remember those you love? And if you're religious, what does it mean to forget God?
Does self-help actually help?
September 07, 2019 20:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWhat's the best way to live? Many people claim to know the answer, but nobody can agree! James Carleton and the God Forbid panel take a look at some of the more popular advice, from Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life, to positive thinking and mindfulness meditation.
Navigating the politics of identity
August 31, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBIn our search for meaning, "Who am I?" is one of the most fundamental questions we ask. Today, our identities are formed by a cluster of (sometimes contradictory!) traits — religion, race, gender and nationality, among others. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel discuss how those identities can change the course of our lives, whether we want them to or not.
Finding moral leadership in a populist age
August 24, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBAs confidence in our Westminster system of parliamentary democracy erodes, we seem to long for a leader — any leader — to save us. But no one person can be and do everything, and our politics was never designed to provide that kind of all-encompassing moral leadership. Will there ever be a saviour in the Lodge, or do we need to look elsewhere? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel examine how three different faiths view leadership. ...
What would a treaty mean for Indigenous people?
August 17, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBOver two years ago, 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from all around Australia met at Uluru. At the base of the gigantic rock, they agreed to enshrine a first nations voice into the constitution — giving birth to The Statement from the Heart. This week, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel discuss where we’re at on this journey, where we’re headed and how far we have left to go.
What's the point of interfaith dialogue?
August 10, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBPeaceful solutions to the world’s problems are hard to find — and religious tensions are part of the problem. What needs to happen so we can all share in the bounty of peace? James Carleton joins a panel of three people who have made interfaith dialogue their life's work.
How liberation theology changed the church and the world
August 03, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBThe 60s and 70s were a time of countercultural liberation, and the Christian church was not immune — especially in South America. Liberation theology grew out of the slums of Peru, proclaiming a "preferential option for the poor", and it has influenced Christian thought across the globe. But during the Cold War, blending the words of Jesus and Marx was seriously controversial, and remains so today.
What is hell, and does anyone go there?
July 27, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn popular culture, hell is often depicted as a place full of flames, demons and screaming people. Is this what Christians really believe? Join James and our panel of Christian theologians — each with a differing view of eternal torment, and how we end up there.
The art of spirituality
July 20, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBFor all of human history we've had religion and we've had art — and the two have remained inextricably linked. We're not just talking about Da Vinci's Last Supper, or Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, but the creation of art itself as a practise with the power to transcend.
Facing Doomsday
July 13, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBOne thing is certain — the world as we know it will one day end. But exactly when and how is a lot more ambiguous. Join James and our panel of doomsday experts as they prepare to face the end.
A matter of life and death — the ethics of Voluntary Assisted Dying
June 29, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBVoluntary assisted dying was recently legalised in Victoria — is this a progressive step forward for human rights, or a departure from some fundamental understanding about the value of human life?
How free should speech be?
June 22, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBFree speech is great, except when it's not. And a free press is necessary for a healthy democracy, but should there be limits to what gets published? In this holy hot potatoes edition the God Forbid panel explores the freedoms that compete with each other in a liberal democracy — particularly around election time.
Buddhist women on ordination and enlightenment
June 15, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn Taiwan, there are far more Buddhist nuns than Buddhist monks. But in other countries like Thailand, the ordination of women is not officially recognised. James Carleton and a panel of ordained women explore the influence of women in Buddhism and discuss contemporary issues surrounding gender and the faith.
When should you question your beliefs?
June 08, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBWhen was the last time you changed your mind over something significant? Not just what to have for breakfast, when to take the next holiday, or even where to live — but something that challenged your very identity? Guest host Meredith Lake and the God Forbid panel question what it means to think deeply in a post-truth age.
There's a loneliness epidemic. What can we do?
June 01, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBLoneliness affects one in four Australians, according to a report by the Australian Psychological Society. Why is it so hard to talk about, even though it's so common? James and the panel look at the issue — both professionally and personally.
Religious restrictions are on the rise
May 18, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBRestrictions on people of faith around the world — imposed by governments, individuals and groups — are increasing, not decreasing. James and the panel navigate the complexities of religious persecution from Ireland to the Middle East, and from the political to the personal.
How religious press is covering the election
May 11, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAs the election campaign draws to a close, the God Forbid panel explores how the small but vibrant religious and ethnic community press engages with federal politics.
Is there life after grief?
May 04, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBAll of us will experience grief and the loss of a loved one at some point in our lives, but why is it so hard to come to terms with? The God Forbid panel looks at grief and mortality.
Singled out — being unmarried and religious
April 27, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MB"Why aren't you married yet?" Being single is a stigma in faith-based communities which extol marriage and family. Guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel explore why being single doesn't mean going it alone.
Why 'zombie Jesus' might not be blasphemous after all
April 20, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBYou can buy a zombie Jesus t-shirt on Amazon — but was Jesus undead? Join guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel as they explore what Easter means for our bodies, our economics and even the end of the world.
Reading, writing, arithmetic — and religion
April 13, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat's God got to do with education? James Carleton gets schooled in funding, religious literacy and school chaplains.
Going without in the 21st century
April 06, 2019 20:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBFor centuries, Lent has been a period of fasting and sacrifice, but tradition rarely stays traditional. A Catholic archbishop, a Zen master and a social justice-seeking pastor give their take on what giving things up looks like in 2019.
Exploring extremism, abuse and burnout
March 30, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBReligious and ethical issues have dominated what has already been a huge year of news. In the first hot potatoes episode of 2019, the God Forbid panel looks back on the headlines and examines radicalisation, problematic artists and millennial burnout.
What transgender leaders teach us about God
March 23, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBIs God beyond gender? What about humans? This week Christian and Jewish trans women describe coming out while in ministry and what it taught them about the divine.
Hinduism — where's the beef?
March 16, 2019 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBAs the Holi festival approaches, we revisit one of our favourite episodes about Hinduism, one of the most ancient religions still practised today, and while most religious communities in Australia are shrinking, Hinduism grows.
How far does the Catholic Church need to reform?
March 09, 2019 19:05 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBThe conviction of Cardinal George Pell has shaken Catholics across the country and around the world. The God Forbid panel discusses what it means for Catholic identity, ecclesiastical power and reform efforts already underway.
Small but mighty — Quakers and Buddhists
March 02, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBSometimes small religions achieve extraordinary things. James Carleton is joined by a Quaker and a Zen Buddhist to explore how minority faiths can still have a big impact on society, even in the midst of persecution.
How much money is too much money?
February 23, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBShould the government tax the rich to help the poor? Christianity has a lot to say about economics, so James Carleton is joined by an economist and a tax justice advocate to explore Christian ideas about the needy and the greedy.
A lover's guide to God
February 16, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn once way or another, we’ve been falling in love for all recorded history. A Buddhist monk, Christian minister and Muslim scholar join forces to talk about love — what is it, and what does it compel us to do?
How evolution isn't as selfish as we thought
February 09, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn the survival of the fittest, how do the meek inherit the earth? James Carleton is joined by two prominent Anglican theologians with very different ideas to discuss evolution, the ordination of women and how the Bible shapes how they see the world.
What intelligent machines tell us about ourselves
February 02, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBThe computer scientist Alan Turing said the standard for artificial intelligence is for a machine to be mistaken for a human by other humans. This already happens today, and AI is only getting more sophisticated. James Carleton and the God Forbid panel consider cybernetics, sex robots and weapons that decide for themselves who to kill. The future is closer than you think.
Is religious freedom under threat?
January 26, 2019 19:05 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThis year is already shaping up to be a big one for religion and politics. In response to the passage of same-sex marriage, the Ruddock Review into religious freedom concluded Australia needs a religious discrimination act. So is it the missing piece in the Australian human rights puzzle, or would it enable discrimination in the name of religion?