God Forbid

The famous psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, wrote that an outsider would be astonished to hear of the humour that existed in Auschwitz. He said humour was "the soul's weapons in the fight for self-preservation."

But in today's era of cancel culture and comedy by committee, is the surest way to destroy a funny story to analyse it? And yet – analysis, light-hearted at least, is what we propose on this week's God Forbid. Join James Carleton and the panel as they wonder why we laugh at things that aren't a laughing matter, and where exactly, the boundary lines lie.

What does it mean to deconstruct one’s faith? What motivates someone to reassess their spiritual or religious path and dismantle their belief system? Is reconstruction also part of this process? On God Forbid this week, James Carleton and the panel tackle these questions and more as they look at the process, and the aftermath, of faith deconstruction.

Often you'll hear the term "rock bottom" used in the world of addiction and recovery, like in the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In fact, AA's Big Book, first published in 1953, says that few people will sincerely try to practice the AA program unless they have hit rock bottom. So is it true that you have to hit rock bottom before you can get better? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take a look at addiction and recovery — the personal stories, and separating the myths from the facts.

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.

This year Northern Ireland turned 100. And much like Australia day, many celebrate — but many have regrets too. There's a fragile peace in Northern Ireland, after 40 years of violence in the troubles, and challenges remain today: from Brexit to the dream of a united Ireland. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore questions of identity, conflict, religion, and peace in Northern Ireland — but with universal lessons.

All of us have secrets. Things we keep from others, and secrets we keep from ourselves. Our families have secrets, each generation chooses what it tells the next. Our institutions keep secrets too, like religious institutions. But choosing to keep a secret can have different motivations, good and bad — so when should we keep a secret and when should we reveal the truth? On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel take on ethics of secrets. 

1 in 5 of us are in a neuro-minority. But stigma remains, along with a deficit model in professional, medical and societal ways of understanding neurodiversity. So how do we shift this thinking? And what can we learn from unique ways of seeing and being in the world? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore neurodiversity and faith this International Day of People with Disabilities.

This episode originally aired on 27 March 2022.

Contemporary Paganism is one of the few spiritual movements attracting a growing number of followers, particularly young people, each year. For some, Paganism is about connecting with and protecting their environment, for others it’s about regaining control of their world. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore contemporary Paganism; from myth busting and magic, to advocacy and climate change. 

In this episode:

Witches have always had a bad rap; both in the real world and make-believe. What does it mean to be a witch? Why has the stereotype endured for so long? Are young people the key to breaking down the barriers and dispelling the myths?

What does Paganism look like in Australia, so far away, both in place and time, from its origins in ancient Europe? How do the Australian seasons align with Pagan rituals and practice? What is the typical path to Paganism?

For many followers of Paganism, the environment plays a significant part in their spiritual practice. Ásatrú, the fastest growing religion in Iceland, encourages harmony with nature. With such emphasis on nature and the environment, how does Paganism respond in the face of climate change?

Guests:

Dr Caroline Tully is Associate Editor of The Pomegranate, the International Journal  of Pagan Studies, and one of the organisers of the Australian Wiccan Conference. She is also an author, archaeologist, lecturer, and Honorary Fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. 

Stacey DeMarco is a member of the Pagan Awareness Network. She is the author of several books, including; "Witch in the Boardroom" and  "The Enchanted Moon". She herself identifies as a witch, pagan practitioner, and Meta-physicist. 

Private religious schools are growing in number — but it's in secular public schools that the debate about the role of religion is fierce. Some say public school is no place for private religion. Others say it's important for kids to learn about religion. And still others say there's a place for education on various worldviews. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel look at religious educations in schools.

A wave of protest is spreading across the world. People power is toppling governments – and governments are crushing protests. Globally, there’s protest over climate change, vaccines, and lockdowns; from corruption and poverty to Black Lives Matter, and there's protest for and against Trumpism as well. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel find out why it is happening, and what makes protests succeed or fail.