God Forbid

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. 

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?

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'.

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. 

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 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.

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. 

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.

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.

Can playing games teach us anything about ourselves, and about the world? And what do games have in common with attending church? On God Forbid, James Carleton and our panel explore the world of games and play.