The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

For the first time since the 1930s, a far-right party is poised to take government in a German state.  In the weekend elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Deutschland won 44 per cent of the vote.  The party’s unmistakably, and unashamedly, anti-Islam but its relationship with the Christian churches is severely strained. GUEST: Jan-Werner Mueller is a Princeton University political scientist and one the world’s leading experts on the far right. His latest book is called Street, Palace, Square: The Architecture of Democratic Spaces.

As the war in Sudan continues into its fourth year, with a death toll as high as 400,000, violence has come to the last refuge.  In the Nuba mountains, Christian and Muslim Sudanese have traditionally lived in peaceful co-existence, and in roughly equal numbers.  But the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has set up a de facto government, principally to control the abundant resources of the mountains.  GUEST: Mohaned El Nour is a distinguished Sudanese human rights lawyer who works with the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Australia’s Law Reform Commission is due to release its review of surrogacy laws this week. Surrogacy advocates have lobbied hard to allow commercial or compensated surrogacy for women who bear children for couples who cannot, or choose not to, have a natural pregnancy. But the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is urging the federal government not to liberalise the laws. Reem Alsalem says it will lead to the exploitation of poor women. She was in Australia recently and met the commission to put her case. PLUS For the first time since the 1930s, a far-right party is poised to take government in a German state. In the weekend elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Deutschland won 44 per cent of the vote. The party’s unmistakably, and unashamedly, anti-Islam, but its relationship with the Christian churches is also severely strained.  AND As the war in Sudan continues into its fourth year -- with a death toll as high as 400,000 – violence has come to the last refuge. In the Nuba mountains, Christian and Muslim Sudanese have traditionally lived in peaceful co-existence, and in roughly equal numbers. But the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has set up a de facto government, principally to control the abundant resources of the mountains.  GUESTS: Reem Alsalim  is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Jan-Werner Mueller is a Princeton University political scientist and one the world’s leading experts on the far right. His latest book is called Street, Palace, Square: The Architecture of Democratic Spaces. Mohaned El Nour is a distinguished Sudanese human rights lawyer who works with the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.      STATEMENT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION The ALRC typically establishes an advisory committee for each inquiry. Advisory committee members are selected for their expertise and experience relevant to the area of law under consideration, including expertise in regulation, research, policy, or practice. An advisory committee is not intended to represent all stakeholder groups involved in an inquiry, as the ALRC consults more broadly through a range of other mechanisms. The role of an advisory committee is solely advisory. Advisory committee members provide feedback and share their views. Their input is one of many sources that inform the ALRC's work. The ALRC always consults broadly and hears from a range of views. We do so through public submissions (open to anyone with an interest in an inquiry), consultations, surveys, webinars, round-tables, and other stakeholder engagement activities. Advisory committee members, like all consultees, have no decision-making role. The views of any consultee or advisory committee are informative but are not determinative. All inquiry decisions are made by the ALRC's President and Commissioners. In developing recommendations, the President and Commissioners consider the totality of the evidence before them, including submissions, consultations, research, and the ALRC's independent analysis.   This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora nation

“The scale and suddenness of this flood have left many families facing immense uncertainty and hardship.” says Roslyn Gabriel, World Vision’s National Director in Nepal.  The death toll from the floods that have swept the border region between Nepal and Chinese-controlled Tibet continues to rise, along with the intense rescue effort. But Nepal must also rebuild the villages in the path of the flood or rehouse people who’ve moved to the capital, Kathmandu.  Hundreds of children have also reportedly been made orphans. GUEST: Roslyn Gabriel is the National director of World Vision Nepal based in Katmandu Australians can support World Vision’s Nepal emergency appeal at the World Vision Australia website: Nepal emergency flood appeal | World Vision Australia

It’s five years since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, erasing, almost overnight, the human rights gained in the previous 20 years.  A western occupation had its problems. A Brown University study found it cost allied powers around $2 trillion.  But for two decades it empowered many women and girls to live as full citizens.  Now they face what Afghanistan’s former human rights chief is calling a “femicide”.  GUEST: Shaharzad Akbar is a human rights activist from Afghanistan, currently in exile and a Visiting Scholar at Wolfson College, Oxford

“The scale and suddenness of this flood have left many families facing immense uncertainty and hardship.” says Roslyn Gabriel, World Vision’s National Director in Nepal. The death toll from the floods that have swept the border region between Nepal and Chinese-controlled Tibet continues to rise, along with the intense rescue effort. But Nepal must also rebuild the villages in the path of the flood or rehouse people who’ve moved to the capital, Kathmandu. Hundreds of children have also reportedly been made orphans. PLUS Almost every UN member country has signed covenants to guarantee human rights. But what happens when there’s a clash of rights, such as personal identity versus religious liberty? Some battles end in the courts but official human rights agencies are trying to balance these claims. The Templeton Foundation is funding a $1.2 million global study of the issue.  AND It’s five years since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, erasing, almost overnight, the human rights gained in the previous 20 years. A western occupation had its problems – a Brown University study found it cost allied powers around $2 trillion – but for two decades it empowered many women and girls to live as full citizens. Now they face what Afghanistan’s former human rights chief is calling a “femicide”.  GUESTS: Roslyn Gabriel is the National director of World Vision Nepal Nicholas Aroney is Professor of Constitutional Law at The University of Queensland Shaharzad Akbar is a human rights activist from Afghanistan, currently in exile and a Visiting Scholar at Wolfson College, Oxford Australians can support World Vision’s Nepal emergency appeal at the World Vision Australia website: Nepal emergency flood appeal | World Vision Australia Also the ABC is supporting the Emergency Action Alliance member charities and their local partners.  Your donation will help provide food, water, financial support, emergency shelter and aid to those in need.  Go to ABC.net.au/gives to find out more and donate. Nepal-Tibet Floods - ABC Gives

Almost every UN member country has signed covenants to guarantee human rights.  But what happens when there’s a clash of rights, such as personal identity versus religious liberty?  Some battles end in the courts but official human rights agencies are trying to balance these claims.  The Templeton Foundation is funding a $1.2 million global study of the issue.  GUEST: Queensland University law professor Nicholas Aroney is project leader.

Have democratic socialists in the US bagged the biggest catch of all in Pope Leo?

Twenty-five years ago – September 11, 2001 – an Islamist terror group emerged from its refuge in Afghanistan to strike down two symbols of America.

They are, right now, the hottest thing in American politics.

The conviction of the Catholic bishop of Broome raises new questions about the ability of the church to investigate itself, especially in cases of abuse. A court found Christopher Saunders guilty of 12 counts of sexually abusing two young men and one count of rape. But it took eight years from when the allegations arose to get a criminal conviction. Now one of the world's leading experts on church law says Australia's bishops should establish an independent tribunal of senior jurists to act swiftly against abusive clergy.

The conviction of the Catholic bishop of Broome raises new questions about the ability of the church to investigate itself, especially in cases of abuse. One of the world's leading experts on church law says Australia's bishops should establish an independent tribunal of senior jurists to act swiftly against abusive clergy.  Plus, the female exodus from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). An insider take on what it means for the church.  Also, has a generation of men become demoralised — in every sense? GUESTS:  Professor Rik Torfs from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, civil and canon lawyer. He's also a former member of the Belgian parliament. Dr Jana Reiss, columnist with the Religion News Service, and a member of the Mormon church. Dr Tanveer Ahmed, psychiatrist and writer.  This program is recorded on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, known as the Mormons, is an American original. It's a religion that grew out of the US to become a global church. And for decades, faithful women were its mainstay — well-educated, conservative, committed to family and community. But new research has shocked the overwhelmingly male leadership of the Mormons. More than half of all Gen Z women who grew up in the church have left. What does this mean for the church?  GUEST:  Dr Jana Reiss, columnist with the Religion News Service, and a member of the Mormon church.

Is there a growing moral crisis among young men? In an essay for the online magazine Quillette, prominent psychiatrist, Tanveer Ahmed, takes a deep dive into statistics about young men who are dropping out of the labour market — and worries about the deeper consequences. Has a generation of men become demoralised — in every sense?  GUEST:  Dr Tanveer Ahmed, psychiatrist and writer.

In New South Wales, the Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating claims that the head office of Catholic schools – but not the schools themselves -- employed some staff to work primarily on factional activities for the Liberal Party. There’ve also been allegations that the organisation paid a consultant who then funnelled his money to a faction known as the Reformers.  But first, the ABC’s head of religion, Noel Debien, has been watching the proceedings at ICAC and is here with an update. GUESTS: Noel Debien is a religion expert and broadcaster, and heads the Religion and Ethics unit at ABC Radio National Anne Benjamin is a respected educator, who was Director of Schools for the Parramatta diocese.

The ABC’s head of religion, Noel Debien, has been watching the proceedings at ICAC and is here with an update. In New South Wales, the Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating claims that the head office of Catholic schools – but not the schools themselves -- employed some staff to work primarily on factional activities for the Liberal Party. There’ve also been allegations that the organisation paid a consultant who then funnelled his money to a faction known as the Reformers.  How have socially conservative Catholics found a home for themselves in the Liberal Party, especially considering its early history as a bastion of Australia’s protestant establishment? It’s due in large part to the end of long romance between the Catholic Church and the Labor Party.  GUESTS: Noel Debien is a religion expert and broadcaster, and heads the Religion and Ethics unit at ABC Radio National Dr Jeff Kildea is the author of the new book Iron Law No More: The Rise and Demise of the Catholic-Labor Alliance in Australia. Anne Benjamin is a respected educator, who was Director of Schools for the Parramatta diocese.  This program is recorded on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

How have socially conservative Catholics found a home for themselves in the Liberal Party, especially considering its early history as a bastion of Australia’s protestant establishment?  It’s due in large part to the end of long romance between the Catholic Church and the Labor Party.  GUEST: Dr Jeff Kildea is the author of the new book Iron Law No More: The Rise and Demise of the Catholic-Labor Alliance in Australia.

One of the most controversial questions in next week’s census is about religious affinity.  Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of Australians say they have no religion.  In 2021, it reached 39 per cent.  But does the way the census poses the question accurately reflect religious identity?  GUEST: Dr Dorian von Freyhold from the analytics firm Compass Polling ran an experiment involving 5,000 people.

For six years, a Church of England priest has been trying to uncover the fate of more than 60 Iraqis taken prisoner by Coalition forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion.  What makes this search for the truth so compelling is that before becoming a priest, Nicholas Mercer was a Lieutenant Colonel and one of the most senior lawyers in the British military.  As part of his search, he wrote repeatedly to the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Forced because Australian troops were involved in detaining the Iraqis.  Nicholas Mercer has finally received a response from the Inspector-General. The following statement can be attributed to a spokesperson for the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force: The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force’s role includes the examination of matters affecting military justice in the ADF.   The IGADF inquiry into Dr Mercer’s concerns did not find any evidence that substantiates wrongdoing on the part of the ADF.  GUEST: A former British Army Lieutenant-Colonel, the Rev Nicholas Mercer has been campaigning for the truth about war crimes in Iraq - he is also an Anglican priest

For six years, a Church of England priest has been trying to uncover the fate of more than 60 Iraqis taken prisoner by Coalition forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion.

"Women religious" have led major education, health and charitable institutions.  But they’ve also been victims of their own church.

Young voters have a voice in India right now. India’s Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Melbourne to receive a rock star welcome at a mass rally at docklands stadium. But not all Australian Hindus are fans - some see him as a divisive figure with potential impact on social harmony. What do they make of the current pulses of anti-immigration rhetoric emerging from figures like Hanson and her party? Meanwhile in India, the Cockroach Janta party or CJP might have started out as an online joke, bit its grown into a mass protests movement, driven by the discontent of millions of younger voters. What of it's future? With an October 27 poll looming for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — security officials warn the Occupied West Bank is a tinderbox, with Palestinian Christian communities among those under sustained attack from armed settlers. We speak with a Christian Palestinian from Bethlehem with family in Gaza. GUESTS: ABC journalist and former ABC South Asia correspondent Meghna Bali - Her new ABC Compass documentary is here. Professor Assa Doron, from the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific. Dr Yousef Al-Khoury is the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College in the West Bank. He’s currently on a speaking tour Bearing Witness in Australia organised by the group Palestinian Christians in Australia.

India’s Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Melbourne to receive a rock star welcome at a mass rally at docklands stadium.  But not all Australian Hindus are fans - some see him as a divisive figure with potential impact on social harmony.  What do they make of the current pulses of anti-immigration rhetoric emerging from figures like Hanson and her party? GUEST: ABC journalist and former ABC South Asia correspondent Meghna Bali - Her new ABC Compass documentary is here.

With an October 27 poll looming for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, security officials warn the Occupied West Bank is a tinderbox, with Palestinian Christian communities among those under sustained attack from armed settlers.  We speak with a Christian Palestinian from Bethlehem with family in Gaza. GUEST: Dr Yousef Al-Khoury is the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College in the West Bank. He’s currently on a speaking tour Bearing Witness in Australia organised by the group Palestinian Christians in Australia.

Young voters have a voice in India right now. The Cockroach Janta Party or CJP might have started out as an online joke, but it's grown into a mass protests movement, driven by the discontent of millions of younger voters.  What of it's political future?  And who are the key figures in the movement? GUEST: Professor Assa Doron, from the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific.

The Catholic Church has traditionally been sympathetic to the aspirations of West Papuans. But, over the past year, rebels in the Indonesian province of West Papua have attacked several Catholic institutions.  The worst was early July, when they killed an American pilot, whose plane was carrying aid for Catholic charities.  What’s behind these attacks by anti-Indonesian rebels?  GUEST: Ahmad Syarif is a researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. He spent nearly a decade at the Jakarta office of Bower Group Asia. He recently documented the growing violence in a report for The Lowy Interpreter.

Over the past year, rebels in the Indonesian province of West Papua have attacked several Catholic institutions.

In today’s fractured politics, the Pope has approval ratings to die for.  An Economist You-Gov poll recently found that among Americans – and not just Catholics --  Pope Leo led Donald Trump in the popularity stakes by 54 points.

The very slow rise of Muslim immigration hasn’t slowed the rise of anti-immigration sentiment in Japanese politics and society.

Guardian columnist Peter Lewis has been reading the Pope's encyclical, not as an adherent of the Catholic faith but as someone who’s “proudly human”.

The latest flashpoint is a dispute over Islamic burial rites.

It’s a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation.  The man set to become the next prime minister of Britain, Andy Burnham, is best known as the popular and successful mayor of Greater Manchester in northern England. But long before that, he was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church’s teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership?  One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there’s also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation. GUESTS: Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq. Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos. Samirah Majumdar is the lead author of Pew Research's recent report. This program is made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

It’s a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries.  Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei.  He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel.  Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation.  GUEST: Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq.

Long before being a PM incumbent, Andy Burnham was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool.  Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church’s teaching.  How much will faith shape his prime ministership?  GUEST: Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.

One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there’s also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies.  The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation.  GUEST: Samirah Majumder is the lead author of Pews recent report.

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust. Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice.  The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.   Plus  July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence. For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious.  Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics. As part of Radio National’s America 250 series, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton – a longer version is on our webpage.    Guests:  Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education. MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON, author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.

July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence.  For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious.  Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics.  As part of Radio National’s America 250 coverage, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton. And a longer version of this interview is on our webpage.    Guests:  Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education. MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON is author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.     RELATED MATERIAL: God Forbid on The Scofield Bible

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust. Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice.  The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.   Guest:  Dr Breann Fallon is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education.

After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive all they’re seeking but the Brothers have revealed they’ve already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980.  If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council.  A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent.  GUESTS Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University. WYRE DAVIES is the BBC’s Middle East correspondent. TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.

If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem.  For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray.  But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council.  GUEST: WYRE DAVIES is the BBC’s Middle East correspondent. He's been covering this story.

A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion.  At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans.  But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics?  A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent.  GUEST: TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.

The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million.  The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers.  Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive all they’re seeking but the Brothers have revealed they’ve already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980.  GUEST: Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.

We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia’s a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling.  That’s the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING.  She’s been living in Ethiopia’s Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that’s helped half a million women.  Valerie’s back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work.  Guest:  Valerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital.

As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji’s legacy?   We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia’s a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That’s the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She’s been living in Ethiopia’s Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that’s helped half a million women. She’s back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work.  Guests:  Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation.  Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King Valerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Hospital.

As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament?  Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   The Australian religious right. GUEST: Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation.

India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji.  The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire.  But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji’s legacy?   GUEST: Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's also author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government’s plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. They fear up to 30 per cent of their income could disappear.  If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you’ll almost certainly hear his favourite song – the high-camp late 70's hit by the Village People, “YMCA”. And you’ll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It’s the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”. Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style.   On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia’s newest cathedral. The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense. But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics. GUESTS: Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency.  Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You. Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay cathedral.

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government’s plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations.  Christian and Muslim leaders have asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers to reconsider. Mark Fowler has been following the story. GUEST: Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency.

On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia’s newest cathedral.  The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense.  But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics. GUEST: Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay Catholic cathedral.

If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you’ll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It’s the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”.  Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style.  GUEST: Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia. Extremism expert Professor JOSH ROOSE of Deakin University has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia. Pope Leo’s encyclical on the dangers of artificial intelligence includes a red light about the role technology plays in the sexual trafficking of women and children. The International Justice Mission is a faith-based organisation that fights modern slavery. It’s one of several human rights groups meeting in the Vatican this week. BRIONY CAMP is the head of campaigns for IJM Australia. As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026.  JOYCE AJLOUNY is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences.  Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight.  Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions.  But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia. Extremism expert Dr Josh Roose has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia. GUEST: Dr Josh Roose is a political sociologist and Associate Professor of Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University.

As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism.  One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers.  They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II.  But how realistic is their vision in 2026?  GUEST: Joyce Ajlouny is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation.  But medical staff aren’t just battling a virus. They’re fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola.  The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response. GUEST: Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRC Rev Gordon on YouTube with an update 27/05

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century.  He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans.  His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity.   GUEST: Dr Victoria Lorrimar heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. But medical staff aren’t just battling a virus. They’re fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response. In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity.  Dr VICTORIA LORRIMAR heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia, while Professor BETH SINGLER from the University of Zurich is author of Religion and Artificial Intelligence. GUESTS:  Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRC A/Prof Victoria Lorrimar, Director, Centre for Technology and Human Future at the Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre Dame Prof. Dr Beth Singler, Assistant Professor in Digital Religion(s), Co-Director, University Research Priority Programme in Digital Religion(s), University of Zurich

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century.  He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans.  His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity.   GUEST: Professor Beth Singler from the University of Zurich is author of Religion and Artificial Intelligence.

Dr Peter John Hollingworth was an Australian bishop who served as Governor-General of Australia from 2001 until his resignation in 2003, resigned, in the wake of controversy over his role in handling sex abuse allegations in the Anglican Church.  He had previously held the position of Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane from 1989 to 2001. An Anglican church inquiry found Dr Hollingworth failed to remove late paedophile priests Donald Shearman and John Elliot from the ministry, despite knowing they had sexually assaulted children. He died in Melbourne on Tuesday, aged 91. Noel Debien joins ABC TV to explain the impact and significance of a cleric's appointment to Governor General. Noel Debien is a religion expert and editor of Radio National's Religion and Ethics Unit

After two weeks of hearings at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australians have a clear picture of a Jewish community experiencing harassment and violence – in the classroom, the campus, the streets, even some workplaces. The commission also heard different opinions on what antisemitism is -- and what’s political protest. GUEST: Professor DAVID SLUCKI is director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. He’s been following the hearings.   Part 3. After the Storm Police in the US city of San Diego are treating as a hate crime an attack on a local mosque, in which two teenage boys killed three people then took their own lives. Without the heroic actions of a security guard, they say the attack could have been even worse. San Diego echoes an immense tragedy that took place 7 years ago, much closer to home.  An Australian gunman slaughtered 51 Muslims at peaceful prayer at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. This week is the third and final part of our series, After the Storm: How faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, which you can find in podcast at ABC Listen. We recall the Christchurch tragedy with a man who survived but bearing a terrible loss.  GUEST: FARID AHMED is the author of Husna’s Story: My wife, the Christchurch Massacre and My Journey to Forgiveness. The full episodes of AFTER THE STORM: AFTER THE STORM: The aftermath of the Christchurch mosque massacre   AFTER THE STORM: Beyond the horror at the Tree of Life AFTER THE STORM: Healing after terror

After two weeks of hearings at the  Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australians have a clear picture of a Jewish community experiencing harassment and violence – in the classroom, the campus, the streets, even some workplaces.  The commission also heard different opinions on what antisemitism is -- and what’s political protest. GUEST: Professor David Slucki is director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. He’s been following the hearings.

On the 15th of March 2019, Farid Ahmed and his beloved wife Husna travelled to the Deans Avenue Mosque in Christchurch for Friday prayer.  As they parted to pray in their different sections, Farid couldn’t know it would be the last time he saw Husna alive. And he couldn’t know about her bravery that ultimately cost her life. Husna Ahmed was one of 51 Muslim worshippers murdered that night.  Their assailant was an Australian.  Farid’s response tells a powerful story about his own resilience and his faith. This is part two of a special Religion and Ethics Report series on how faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, as Australia grapples with the aftermath of its own devastating attack at Bondi. GUEST: Farid Ahmed is the author of Husna’s Story: My wife, the Christchurch Massacre and My Journey to Forgiveness.

The most popular, and understandable, image of the far right today usually involves people dressed in black, shouting Nazi slogans or erupting into violence at football matches across Europe.  But new research suggests many youths drawn to the extremes are looking for something more basic – a sense of belonging.  Some have co-opted very traditional religion, while others try to make a religion out of their political ideology.  GUEST: Dr Agnieszka Pasieka of University of Montreal wrote about the “Dreams of the Far Right” for Aeon magazine. She’s also the author of Living Right: Far-Right Youth Activists in Contemporary Europe.

New research suggests many far right youths drawn to the extremes are looking for something more basic – a sense of belonging.  Some have co-opted very traditional religion, while others try to make a religion out of their political ideology.  GUESTS: Dr Agnieszka Pasieka of University of Montreal wrote about the “Dreams of the Far Right” for Aeon magazine. She’s also the author of Living Right: Far-Right Youth Activists in Contemporary Europe.

In 2018, a gunman walked into in a synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh. He killed 11 worshippers in one of America's worst antisemitic attacks.  As you’ll hear, deep in their Jewish faith and traditions, somehow the survivors of Squirrel Hill found ways to rebuild. This episode takes you to Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018.  This is the second episode in our three-part series After the Storm: How faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack.  GUEST: Mark Oppenheimer is the author of Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Shooting and the Soul of a Neighbourhood and teaches in the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, at Washington University in St. Louis.

In a move that defies the stereotype of American mega-churches, the pastor of 24,000-strong Methodist parish in Kansas has announced he’s running as Democrat for the US Senate in November.  Adam Hamilton is also a best-selling author and podcaster.  Hamilton joins a growing chorus of Christian ministers who are reclaiming faith from pro-Trump forces.  But he’s careful to stress, he’s no liberal.  GUEST: Kathryn Post from the Religion News Service is following this historic race.

In a move that defies the stereotype of American mega-churches, the pastor of 24,000-strong Methodist parish in Kansas has announced he’s running as Democrat for the US Senate in November. Adam Hamilton is also a best-selling author and podcaster.  Hamilton joins a growing chorus of Christian ministers who are reclaiming faith from pro-Trump forces. But he’s careful to stress, he’s no liberal. Kathryn Post, a journalist from the Religion News Service is following this historic race. As the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion begins public hearings, we begin a three-part series on how three faith communities – Christian, Jewish, and Muslim – responded to mass violence inflicted on them.  The gunmen inspired by the Islamic State group who opened fire on the Jewish Channukah festival in Bondi Beach last December brought religious violence to Australia at an unprecedented scale. But as those who’ve suffered similar tragedy shows, it is possible to rebuild. Our series, After the Storm, has already begun as a podcast on ABC Listen. But we’re bringing part of those stories to air. This week, author Kevin Sack looks at the 2015 tragedy at the Mother Emmanuel Church, an historic Black congregation in South Carolina. Kevin spent a decade working on his landmark book, Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church. And you can hear the full length podcast of the Kevin Sack interview here

When a white supremacist gunman opened fire during a Bible study at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, nine worshippers, including their charismatic pastor, were murdered at a bible class in a racist attack. Writer Kevin Sack spent a decade documenting what happened at Mother Emanuel, tracing not only the events of June 17, 2015, but the deeper history of race, resistance, and forgiveness that shaped the community’s response. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of how that church endured and what its response can teach others confronting religious violence today.  This is part one of a special Religion and Ethics Report series on how faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, as Australia grapples with the aftermath of its own devastating attack at Bondi.

The defeat of Viktor Orban’s nationalist government in Hungary is causing ripples from the heart of Europe all the way to the Middle East.  Orban was a key ally of another nationalist, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, protecting his government from censure and sanction in the European Union.  Hungary’s new prime minister Peter Magyar is unlikely to be as friendly.  GUEST: Dr Shahar Burla is a contributing editor at The Jewish Independent.

The defeat of Viktor Orban’s nationalist government in Hungary is causing ripples from the heart of Europe all the way to the Middle East. Orban was a key ally of another nationalist, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, protecting his government from censure and sanction in the European Union. Hungary’s new prime minister Peter Magyar is unlikely to be as friendly.   A year ago, more than a hundred cardinals were deep in conversation, even a little conspiracy. They’d just buried their beloved Pope Francis. Now they had to choose a successor to lead 1.4 billion Catholics. But forces outside the church were also trying to shape the result of the conclave. In a new book, The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, we learn about some the extraordinary planning … and plotting.    Guests:  Dr Shahar Burla is a contributing editor at The Jewish Independent.  Authors and veteran Vatican reporters Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Pique

A year ago, more than a hundred cardinals were deep in conversation, even a little conspiratorial.  They’d just buried their beloved Pope Francis.  Now they had to choose a successor to lead 1.4 billion Catholics. But forces outside the church were also trying to shape the result of the conclave.  In a new book, The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, we learn about some the extraordinary planning … and plotting.  GUESTS: Co-Authors and veteran Vatican reporters Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Pique

Pope Leo’s showing he won’t by cowed by Donald Trump, who recently attacked him as weak and liberal after papal criticism of the Iran war.  Leo hasn’t directly named the US President but during his visit to Africa, he’s referred to war, tyranny and to “spending billions of dollars on killing and devastation”.   Vice President J.D. Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, also decided to explain the theology of a “just war” to the pontiff.  Some in the Trump administration even believe they’re waging a holy war.  Where does such language mean and where can it lead?  GUEST: Professor Darius Von Guttner is a Papal historian at the Australian Catholic University link

The name Walter Dexter has faded into history but during World War I he was one of the British empire’s most famous churchmen.  He became most decorated military chaplain ever.  Long before he found his faith in the Anglican Church, he had a rollicking life at sea, plunging into the cultures of Asia and Africa.  Historian DANIEL REYNAUD has just published Sailor, Soldier Vicar Farmer: The Improbable Life of Anzac Chaplain Water Dexter. GUEST: Dr Daniel Reynaud is Emeritus Professor of History at Avondale University and inaugural Visiting Historian at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney's Hyde Park.

It’s not just the Iran war that’s inflamed tension between the Vatican and the White House.  The church has also spoken out against the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on irregular immigration.  For the Archbishop of Guam, a US territory in the South Pacific, it’s a personal issue.  Archbishop RYAN JIMENEZ is an immigrant from The Philippines. He’s just been appointed to a top Vatican post and is visiting Australia. GUEST: Archbishop Ryan Jimenez is Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam

Pope Leo’s showing he won’t by cowed by Donald Trump, who recently attacked him as weak and liberal after papal criticism of the Iran war. Leo hasn’t directly named the US President but during his visit to Africa, he’s referred to war, tyranny and to “spending billions of dollars on killing and devastation”.  Vice President J.D. Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, also decided to explain the theology of a “just war” to the pontiff. Some in the Trump administration even believe they’re waging a holy war. Where does such language mean and where can it lead? Professor DARIUS VON GUTTNER is a papal historian at Australian Catholic University. It’s not just the Iran war that’s inflamed tension between the Vatican and the White House. The church has also spoken out against the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on irregular immigration. For the Archbishop of Guam, a US territory in the South Pacific, it’s a personal issue. Archbishop RYAN JIMENEZ is an immigrant from The Philippines. He’s just been appointed to a top Vatican post and is visiting Australia. The name Walter Dexter has faded into history but during World War I he was one of the British empire’s most famous churchmen. He became most decorated military chaplain ever. Long before he found his faith in the Anglican Church, he had a rollicking life at sea, plunging into the cultures of Asia and Africa. Historian DANIEL REYNEAUX has just published Sailor, Soldier Vicar Farmer: The Improbable Life of Anzac Chaplain Water Dexter. GUESTS: Professor Darius Von Guttner is an historian at the Australian Catholic University link Archbishop Ryan Jimenez is Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam Dr Daniel Reyneaux is Emeritus Professor of History at Avondale University and inaugural Visiting Historian at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Donald Trump’s onslaught against the Pope is almost overshadowing his first visit to Africa.  The US president accused Leo of being soft on crime, untroubled by the prospect of a nuclear Iran, and in league with the radical left. Trump’s angry about the pope’s repeated criticism of the US and Israeli war on Iran. But Leo says he’s not afraid of Trump. Has there ever been such a deep rift between a pontiff and a major world leader and what are the implications? Vatican historian and commentator Professor MASSIMO FAGGIOLI is with Trinity College, Dublin.  While he was in Algeria, the first stop on his Africa trip, Pope Leo visited the Basilica of St. Augustine. It’s near the ancient ruins of Hippo Regius. He walked in the footsteps of St Augustine of Hippo, who lived around the year 400 AD. Leo’s an Augustinian priest so he was returning to the home of his spiritual father. In the occupied West Bank village of Taybeh, radical Jewish settlers continue their campaign to seize the land long owned by one of the last unified Christian communities in Palestine. Now the Christians are turning to Pope Leo, hoping he’ll visiting their village and ramp up pressure on the Israeli government. The parish priest is Fr. BASHAR FAWADLEH. Soon after he returns from his 10-day trip to Africa, Pope Leo will finish his first encyclical. It’s almost certainly on the opportunities -- and dangers -- of artificial intelligence. The perils of AI, especially on higher education, have prompted Notre Dame University to set up a new Centre for Technology and Human Futures. The director is Associate Professor VICTORIA LORRIMAR.  GUESTS: Professor Massimo Faggioli is professor of ecclesiology at the Loyola Institute at Trinity College Dublin Father Bashar Fawadleh is parish priest in Taybeh, a Christian village in the middle of the West Bank in Palestine. Associate Professor Victoria Lorrimar is director of The Centre for Technology and Human Futures at the University of Notre Dame

Donald Trump’s onslaught against the Pope is almost overshadowing his first visit to Africa.   The US president accused Leo of being soft on crime, untroubled by the prospect of a nuclear Iran, and in league with the radical left. Trump’s angry about the pope’s repeated criticism of the US and Israeli war on Iran.  But Leo says he’s not afraid of Trump.  Has there ever been such a deep rift between a pontiff and a major world leader and what are the implications?  GUEST: Vatican historian and commentator Professor MASSIMO FAGGIOLI is with Trinity College, Dublin.

In the occupied West Bank village of Taybeh, radical Jewish settlers continue their campaign to seize the land long owned by one of the last unified Christian communities in Palestine.  Now the Christians are turning to Pope Leo, hoping he’ll visiting their village and ramp up pressure on the Israeli government.  GUEST:  Fr. Bashar Fawadleh Taybeh parish priest  Related: Israeli settler and Christian conflict in the West Bank

Soon after he returns from his 10-day trip to Africa, Pope Leo will finish his first encyclical.  It’s almost certainly on the opportunities -- and dangers -- of artificial intelligence.  The perils of AI, especially on higher education, have prompted Notre Dame University to set up a new Centre for Technology and Human Futures.  GUEST: Associate Professor Victoria Lorrimar is director of The Centre for Technology and Human Futures at the University of Notre Dame

Andrew West discusses Trump's attack on Pope Leo with James Glenday on ABC Breakfast TV.

Buddhist extremists have been emboldened by religious nationalism in America and beyond. They defy the image of Buddhism and undermine its core teachings.

Pope Leo visits Africa next week on a 10-day tour that will take him to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Buddhist extremists have been emboldened by religious nationalism in America and beyond. They defy the image of Buddhism and undermine its core teachings.

It's 40 years since the Philippine People's Revolution  It was a revolution where barely a shot was fired. Nuns armed with rosary beads helped lead millions of Filipinos in peaceful demonstrations that, 40 years ago, brought down the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.   Ringing in the ears of the people was the voice of a soft-spoken archbishop who urged them to topple a corrupt and increasingly brutal regime.   Just how critical was Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Church to the People Power revolution?   GUEST:  Dr Jethro Calacday, Filipino historian currently at Cambridge University

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.  In the place of The World Today on Good Friday, James Carleton from Radio National’s God Forbid philosopher Professor Rachel Ankeny, author Edgar Crook and theologian Professor David Clough to examine what we eat from cultural, ethical and historical perspectives. GUESTS: Rachel Ankeny is Chair and Professor of Philosophy at Wageningen University. Edgar Crook is author of "Abstainers! – a vegetarian and vegan history of Australia" and "Vegetarianism in Australia 1788 to 1948: A Cultural and Social History." David Clough is Chair in Theology and Applied Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.

In the near future, artificial intelligence could do the thinking, and a robotic combination of human and machine do the lifting. But it’s a potentially dystopic scenario – the poor, the weak, and those who simply believe in humanity as nature intended could be abandoned. These are just some of major ethical challenges posed by so-called transhumanism. Professor JASON EBERL is a bioethicist at St Louis University in Missouri. On the 8th of April, he’ll deliver the annual lecture to the Plunkett Centre for Ethics in Sydney.  Each Easter, we bring you stories from places where war and other disasters can try people’s faith but where, despite great despair, their religious beliefs survive. ASUNTHA CHARLES has worked with the faith-based aid organisation World Vision in Afghanistan under the Taliban and Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh, where 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims fled the military regime in Myanmar/Burma. She was in Australia recently with the Micah Women’s Network. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed down after the Vatican and the governments of France, Italy and even the United States protested a decision to block the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. After Israel’s president Isaac Herzog intervened, Netanyahu said the cardinal would have access to all holy sites this Easter. A Sydney bishop is set to take up a top Vatican job. Pope Leo has announced Bishop Anthony Randazzo will become the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, meaning he’ll be responsible for interpreting and applying church law throughout the Catholic world. He’ll become the most senior Australian cleric in the Vatican since the late George Pell, who held was Prefect for the economy. And finally, the pope had some pointed words for the residents of the world’s wealthiest state. In a day-long visit to Monaco, where one in three people are millionaires, Leo condemned the “idolatry of power and money” and reminded them Jesus was “an advocate” for the poor and outcast.

Each Easter, we bring you stories from places where war and other disasters can try people’s faith but where, despite great despair, their religious beliefs survive. ASUNTHA CHARLES has worked with the faith-based aid organisation World Vision in Afghanistan under the Taliban and Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh, where 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims fled the military regime in Myanmar/Burma.  She was in Australia recently with the Micah Women’s Network. GUEST:  Ms. Asuntha Charles is National Director for World Vision Solomon Islands and World Vision International

In the near future, artificial intelligence could do the thinking, and a robotic combination of human and machine do the lifting.  But it’s a potentially dystopic scenario – the poor, the weak, and those who simply believe in humanity as nature intended could be abandoned.  These are just some of major ethical challenges posed by so-called transhumanism.  GUEST: Professor JASON EBERL is a bioethicist at St Louis University in Missouri. On the 8th of April, he’ll deliver the annual lecture to the Plunkett Centre for Ethics in Sydney.

There may be a complex challenge for the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Some Brits are claiming Christian identity with a more politicised and dubious intention in mind. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times has been investigating the recent fervour behind the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ movement and the response of the Church of England. Plus Donald Trump has always found cheerleaders in the heartland of the US bible belt. But also in Christian Europe.  These movements were largely spawned out of a fear that Christian Europe was being lost to mass immigration. But the President's war in Iran and trade policies are unnerving those who once considered themselves allies. Thomas Fazi has been watching this unfold. GUESTS: Madeleine Davies is Senior Writer for the Church Times Thomas Fazi,  is a columnist for UnHerd and Compact magazines

In the aftermath of the Bondi massacre of 15 mostly Jewish people celebrating Hannukah, state and federal governments have passed hate speech laws. They're part of an effort to build social cohesion in a country scarred recently by growing antisemitism and other forms of religious hatred.   But does banning phrases such as "from the river to the sea" — used usually when supporting a Palestinian state –promote cohesion?   Can any law mandate unity? Criminologists Keiran Hardy and Rebecca Wickes from Griffith University argue in a recent paper that laws can help, but governments also need to look at declining trust, economic opportunity and loneliness.  GUEST: Kieran Hardy, Associate Professor in Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is co-author of We can’t coerce our way to social cohesion. Here’s what else governments should be doing

Christian Democrats in the US are making a major pitch to win religious votes. Even with growing secularism, the US still has a big Christian majority and, for 40 years, Democrats have struggled to win their trust.  But ahead of congressional elections in November, several white protestant clergy have announced they're running for the Democrats.  One state politician and seminarian, James Talarico, is now the party's candidate for a Texas senate seat.  GUEST:  David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney.

In the aftermath of the Bondi massacre, state and federal governments have passed hate speech laws to help build social cohesion. But does banning phrases promote cohesion? Can any law mandate unity?  Also in this episode, Christian Democrats in the US are making a major pitch to win religious votes. Will they pose a significant threat to Donald Trump at upcoming midterm elections? GUESTS: Kieran Hardy, Associate Professor in Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is co-author of: We can’t coerce our way to social cohesion. Here’s what else governments should be doing  David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

The enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullaly as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury comes amid a lot of talk about a quiet revival in British Christianity.  While there is evidence – anecdotal and data – of this rise in people in the pews, the spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans faces a more complex challenge.  Some British people are claiming a Christian identity with political, and other dubious, motives. GUEST:  MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times has done a deep dive into this trend.

Donald Trump found enthusiastic cheerleaders not only in the American Midwest but also the historic heartland of Europe.  He spawned imitation movements across the continent, powered by a fear that Christian Europe was being lost to mass immigration.  But the president’s war on Iran and his aggressive foreign and trade policies are unnerving European parties that were once allies.  GUEST: THOMAS FAZI, a columnist for UnHerd and Compact magazines has been watching this breakdown.

This week, as part of the ABC’s look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National.  In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies.  A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s.  Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens.   GUEST: Associate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales

The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording.  It’s another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed.  Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens.  GUEST: Dr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He’s called for an immediate ceasefire.  Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care?  Leo understands the brutal history of Iran’s regime, but he’s worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint.  What balance is he trying to strike?  GUEST: Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historian.

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He’s called for an immediate ceasefire. Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care? Leo understands the brutal history of Iran’s regime, but he’s worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint. What balance is he trying to strike?  This week, as part of the ABC’s look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National. In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies. A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s. Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens.  The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording. It’s another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed. Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens.  GUESTS: Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historian Associate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales Dr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture

Donald Trump says he’s liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division? Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora. Acclaimed journalist Robin Wright of The New Yorker covered Iran from the start of the 1979 revolution, which brought the first ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, to power.  She’s sceptical that the United States and Israel can bring change through aerial bombardment. As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi’ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?  Dr Renae Barker specialises in law and religion at the University of Western Australia law.

As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi’ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?   Guest Dr Renae Barker Senior Lecturer, UWA Law School

Donald Trump says he’s liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division?  Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora. Guest: Professor Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora.