
God Forbid
Religion: it’s at the centre of world affairs, but profound questions still remain. Why are you here? What happens when you die? Does God matter? God Forbid seeks the answers.
Latest episodes

May 1, 2021 • 54min
Can reality TV be more than a spectacle?
Love it or hate it – reality TV is now ubiquitous. We tend to think of the genre as a waste of time, but could there be something more to it? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel explore the ethical considerations that go into making and consuming some of the world’s most popular entertainment.

Apr 24, 2021 • 54min
Supporting veterans during and after service - Anzac Day 2021
Commemorating Anzac Day ties us to every Anzac Day that has come before. This year, James Carleton and the God Forbid panel discuss military ethics and chaplaincy as Australia’s longest war – in Afghanistan – comes to an end.

Apr 17, 2021 • 54min
Is doubt the death of faith?
What's it like to question your foundational beliefs about life, death, God and the universe? Does doubt pave the way to a more robust faith — or a way to unshackle ourselves from religion altogether? Join Justine Toh and our panel as they wrestle with unbelief — the big and the personal questions.

Apr 10, 2021 • 54min
Singled out — being unmarried and religious
"Why aren't you married yet?" Being single is a stigma in faith-based communities which extol marriage and family. Guest host Justine Toh and the God Forbid panel explore why being single doesn't mean going it alone.

Apr 3, 2021 • 54min
Exploring sacrifice at Easter
At Easter, Christians say Jesus died for the sins of the world, only to be resurrected three days later. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panelists explore concepts of sacrifice throughout Christian history.

Mar 27, 2021 • 54min
The future of faith – ministry with Gen Z
In many ways, young people who attend places of worship today are vastly different to those who attended decades ago. A new generation isn’t just attending in person, but also via online platforms like messaging, podcasts and even game streaming services. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore how Gen Z is engaging with religion, and how faith groups are responding.

Mar 20, 2021 • 54min
Fostering sacred creativity in a secular world
The great writer and Nobel Prize winner André Gide said, “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and the less the artist does, the better." On God Forbid, James Carleton explores the relationship between art, humanity and the sacred with creatives Lindy Lee and Rod Pattenden.

Mar 13, 2021 • 54min
What’s dominating the headlines? From Parliament House to Buckingham Palace
It’s only March, yet we’ve already seen national and international institutions being shaken. From sexual assault allegations in Parliament, to the Royals in – and out – of Buckingham Palace, James and the panel take a look at what’s been making headlines so far in 2021.

Mar 6, 2021 • 54min
Women of faith are challenging gender inequality
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about choosing to challenge gender bias. So what, exactly, needs to change? And what role can faith offer in the fight? Join Meredith Lake and our panel of remarkable women who are excelling in their respective fields.

Feb 27, 2021 • 54min
Who are you now? On identity in flux
All of us have an identity – an idea of who we are and our place in the world. But is identity fixed, or constantly in flux? On God Forbid, we explore some big questions and hear the personal experiences of our panellists this Mardi Gras.