God Forbid

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.

Depending on who you ask, an acceptance of uncertainty is fundamental to ethics, to religious faith, even to good mental health. For others, it's a lack of agreed meaning and relativism that guides the world toward disaster. So then, how should we navigate the fog of 21st century life?Join James Carleton and the panel as they explore whether living in an uncertain world require certain foundations —  shared truths and identities? Or is there a kind of freedom to be found in embracing uncertainty and unknowing?

"The wages of sin is death," says the Bible, and for a long time in Australia, that was a widely accepted wisdom. Today, an increasing number of Australians believe the concept of sin is antiquated, and perhaps unhelpful. But whether we believe in God or not, imperfection exists and we inevitably transgress —  and in our unforgiving culture, redemption can be elusive.On God Forbid, join James Carleton and the panel as they explore whether sin still matters, and how we understand the term in contemporary Australia.

As we approach Labor's first federal budget on Tuesday, is Australia facing an uncertain economic future? We’re experiencing rising inflation, government inheriting debt and deficit along with an increasing a cost-of-living. At such a time, should the government draw on altruism, or self interest?  What would help drive economic recovery – and could something beyond the bottom line help chart our course?