The terrorist attack at Parramatta last week was shocking. A 15-year-old Muslim boy shot a civilian who worked at the NSW Police headquarters. The boy was shot dead by police.

After these disturbing events, a media conference was held by the grand Mufti of Australian Muslims, as well as a representative of Gosford Anglican Church and a female Islamic Leader. 

The conference seemed to try to recast the narrative, as if the problem of terror wasn’t specifically an Islamic problem. As if all parents were somehow responsible for a boy grabbing a gun and shooting a complete stranger.

The Mufti also refused to label it a terror attack.

Rev Sam Green works for the Christian University Student Group, the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.

He is the Anglican Interfaith chaplain for Australia and we discussed what the events at Parramatta tell us about Islam, the Koran and whether we are asking the right questions about religious terrorism.

There are different views about how to approach Halloween. Love it? Ignore it? Tolerate it?

For me, though, I just don’t like this annual “celebration” on October 31. It's the association with goblins, ghouls and the occult that worries me about the Trick-or-Treat day.

But as I admit that, I feel like Ebenezer “Bah Humbug” Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

With Halloween becoming more and more popular in Australia, I thought we should ask questions about where Halloween came from, what it's actually about and the possible impact it could have.

Anglican Minister from St George North in Sydney, Phil Colgan, joined me to discuss Halloween and how Christians might approach it. 

Every week we have a focus 'Church of the week,' this week it's St John's at Maroubra, and the Senior Minister, Jim Crossweller is on the line.

Tonight … we are talking to a fascinating man from Nepal. He grew up in one of the poor parts of the world…. somehow he made it to Australia…

Logan Kunwar's been loved by Christians here, particularly the Anglican Church at Canterbury, and their former minister Rev Campbell King.

We’re going to ask Logan about his journey from Nepal to Sydney and from Hinduism to Jesus.

The movie 'The Martian' Photo courtesy Fox

Did you hear the update about Mars this week? NASA has announced that actual water had been discovered on Mars.

It is the first confirmed sighting of water on the planet’s surface.

Also this week, a new movie opened at cinemas around the world called The Martian.

Interesting coincidence, don’t you think?

Film reviewer Ben McEachen and astrophysicist Dr Lewis Jones - who is director of the Simeon Network, a network of Christians in academia -  join me to talk about all of this Mars publicity - as well as what such outer-space discoveries mean for God.

Is the existence of God threatened by signs of life on other planets?

• Ben, what’s going on here? Are Hollywood and NASA working together?

• Does water turn up on-screen in The Martian?

• Lewis, what do you think about all the talk this week about discoveries on Mars?

• When anything is discovered on another planet that suggests there could be other life forms in our universe, many people instantly say that that proves there is no God.

• Lewis, you’re an astrophysicist and a Christian. How do you respond to anyone who thinks that water on Mars could mean that the God revealed by the Bible can not be true?

Now, standing behind the current debate in Australia about same gender marriage is another debate about religious freedom.

Associate Professor Neil Foster

For example, if homosexual marriage were to become law in Australia - would Christian photographers, bakers, florists, or even staff at a function center hosting a reception, be forced to participate.

There was a conference on Religious Freedom in Australia held a few days ago in Newcastle.

Associate Professor Neil Foster, Newcastle Law School was one of the people behind it.

He’s on the line.  

• Freedom of Religion Is Not Taken Seriously In Many Modern Democracies, including Australia.
• We have a Human Rights Commissioner who seems to be doing a good job in this area.
• Religious Freddom has to do with one’s human identity.
• Christianity will have public consequences. Some want to say religion is a private thing… but it won’t stay down.
• What about hiring and firing for christian organisations according to religious convictions, even if they receive public money?
• Why should christians care about religious freedom?

Mark Gilbert

I want to talk to MARK GILBERT… to get his take on the Pope’s visit to AMERICA.

It seemed to me that the POPE, talked about a whole range of pretty popular issues but sidestepping some of the more controversial issues.

Kara Hartley, Anglican Archdeacon for Women Kara Hartley

Australian women will now be able to access medical abortions without visiting a doctor or pharmacist. According to abortion advocates, the new telephone service could improve access to pregnancy termination. 

I take it that this new group, is essentially going to be able diagnose that the woman’s situation over the phone. 

I don’t think it’s a good thing.  I think it’s a really bad thing.

I know so many women who are wracked with guilt - even decades later - over their actions - in ending a little baby’s life.

And to be able to do it over the phone….without even a conversation.... strikes me as crazy!

KARA HARLEY, is the Archdeacon for women’s ministry, in the Anglican Church in Sydney.

Still on the topic of abortion.  And an anti abortion activist TROY NEWMAN has been denied permission to enter Australia to speak at an event in Melbourne.

There was a court ruling on the issue on Friday.

But there has been a spectacular inaccuracy in the way the Australian media has been covering the story.

JOHN SANDEMAN is a long time media watcher.  He’s the editor and founder of the Christian Newspaper Eternity.

We are going to be talking to a lady tonight who has written a book, Joy Beyond Agony.  

Jane Roach

Jane Roach, used to be training director for the massive Bible Study Fellowship International group, and she has written a book, all about the cross of Jesus, and how it ultimately leads to joy.  

It is based on Hebrews 12:1-2.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.