God Forbid

For people of every faith – or none – whether you take alcohol or drugs is a big deal. But the rules vary wildly, even within a tradition. Some Christians include alcohol as a core part of their most sacred ritual, but other Christians forbid its use altogether. How come?

James Carleton dives into what helps people choose to use, and how to stop.

Food. 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.

Peaceful 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.

Religious clergy are supposed to provide comfort in times of crisis, which raises questions about who comforts the comforters. Today on God Forbid, James and the panel take a look at the wellbeing of faith leaders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the UN charter. From the ashes of World War II came the United Nations - one global intergovernmental body, with the goal of maintaining peace and goodwill among the nations of Earth.

But has the UN lived up to what it stands for? On God Forbid, James and the panel examine the achievements, problems and purpose of the UN.

Whether we share it or not, we all have our own story: where we grew up, what we have experienced, who has shaped us - and how we piece it altogether. But why would someone pen that story, publish it and share it with the world? Is that an act of creativity, or vanity?

On God Forbid, James and our panel of memoirists take a look at the power and purpose of memoirs.

Did you know that Australians spend more on clothes, on average, than any other nation on earth, except America? For a warm nation, why do we need so many clothes – and what happens to the garments we chuck out? On God Forbid, James and the panel examine the impact of fast fashion – and making sustainable clothing choices.

COVID-19 has changed the way we live at home. But how has it changed for those who don't have a home? And is our definition of “homeless” an accurate reflection of what’s really going on? This week, James and panel explore the issue of homelessness in Australia.

In secular society, it's easy to see life as compartmentalised. We work, then play, and - if we want - attend a religious service. But things weren’t always this way. Historically, and even globally today, Indigenous peoples share an interwoven and spiritual view of life.

This National Reconciliation Week, James and the panel explore Indigenous Australian theology.

Over one million Australians visit Indonesia each year, but misconceptions about one of our closest neighbours abound. Indonesia has over 600 recognised ethnicities across 17,000 islands – it’s bigger than just Bali!

James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore Indonesia’s diverse cultural and religious landscape.