The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

Israel has allowed a partial lifting of the blockade of Gaza to permit some food drops to take place. But are drops from the air enough to alleviate conditions on the ground – conditions the United Nations has described as famine-like? Israel denies that it is deliberately engineering a famine.But the UN says the next few days as “make or break” for humanitarian agencies trying to reach more than two million Gazans.GUEST:Amra Lee is a researcher in the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University and a former adviser to the UN on humanitarian relief and conflict resolution.

The Catholic Church is going digital in a big way, a legacy of Pope Francis, who knew the power of social media. This week, the Vatican’s been hosting more than one thousand online influencers and digital natives from all over the world at its Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers. One of them is Father ROB GALEA, a priest from Victoria, an author, a singer/songwriter with eight albums, and an influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers.GUEST:Fr Rob Galea is an ordained Catholic priest and is currently serving in the Sandhurst Diocese in Victoria

Professor Beth Singler, an expert in Digital Religions at the University of Zurich, dives into the uncharted waters of AI's relationship with faith. She discusses the potential for AI-generated imagery to mislead and the historical adaptability of religions to new technologies. Singler raises ethical concerns about AI writing sermons and explores the idea of AI as a spiritual entity. The conversation even touches on AI creating new belief systems and the implications of virtual spaces as escapist experiences. It's a thought-provoking journey into faith and technology.

The Catholic Church is going digital in a big way, a legacy of Pope Francis, who knew the power of social media. This week, the Vatican’s been hosting more than one thousand online influencers and digital natives from all over the world at its Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers. One of them is Father ROB GALEA, a priest from Victoria, a singer with eight albums, and an influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers.As the Vatican seeks to harness social media to spread its message, others are warning that artificial intelligence poses a huge challenge to all religion. Could AI even be a rival to faith, projecting itself as a source of wisdom that’s neither human nor divine? Professor BETH SINGLER of the University of Zurich is the author of the new book, Religion and Artificial Intelligence.GUESTS:Fr Rob Galea is an ordained Catholic Priest and is currently serving in Sandhurst Diocese, VictoriaProfessor Beth Singler - Assistant Professor in Digital Religions at the University of ZurichFather Patrick Ryan, the rogue IRA spy priest died this week aged 94. Andrew West spoke to BBC journalist Jennifer O'Leary in 2023 - you can find that episode hereThis program was recorded and produced on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

In this engaging discussion, Professor Tark Ji-il, an expert on new religious movements from Busan Presbyterian University, shares his insights on the troubling landscape of Korean cults. He reveals how these groups, masquerading as Christian, prey on immigrants in Australia using deceptive tactics. Tark also shares his personal connection, detailing the tragic murder of his father by a cult member. He contrasts the Unification Church with the Latter-day Saints and explores the deep intertwining of religion and politics in South Korea.

South Korea is one of the great success stories of the past 30 years, moving from military dictatorship to a strong democracy and economy. Last year, it weathered a serious test when the former president tried to declare martial law. He’s since been removed. But South Korea’s also the home of a thriving number of troubling religious cults – some of them exported to Australia. Professor Tark Ji-il of Busan Presbyterian University understands this threat better than most. Not only is he a world-renowned expert, his family’s been affected in a tragic way. He was in Australia recently, sharing his story.The heroic image of the Anzac at Gallipoli is of the young man, with rifle and bayonet, going over the top of the trenches to face a hail of bullets from the Turkish troops. While that was, indeed, true, there was another hero at Gallipoli, and he carried only a shovel and a Bible. William ‘Mac’ McKenzie was a beloved Salvation Army chaplain. In his day, he ranked alongside our most famous soldiers and politicians. He’s the subject of a new biography, The Man the Anzacs Revered, by author Daniel Reynaud. GUESTS:Professor Tark Ji-il - Busan Presbyterian University - a respected expert on South Korea's religious movements.Daniel Reynaud - author of The Man the Anzacs Revered

Join historian Daniel Reynaud as he delves into the extraordinary life of William ‘Mac’ McKenzie, a Salvation Army chaplain revered by Anzacs. Hear about McKenzie's heartwarming hospital visits, his bravery sorting the living from the dead at Lone Pine, and his iconic role carrying a shovel and a Bible. Reynaud shares tales of McKenzie's popularity among soldiers, emotional struggles on the Western Front, and his later missionary work in China, spotlighting the unique heroism beyond the battlefield.

Olesya Vartanyan, an independent analyst specializing in Caucasus politics, discusses Armenia's tense showdown with the Apostolic Church, including the arrest of Archbishop Galstanyan and its historical significance. Dr. Erica Cervini dives into the global baby surrogacy business, critiquing ethical concerns and exploitation risks, particularly for poorer background surrogates. Journalist Jessica Grose uncovers the cultural shift among Mormon women, exploring the impact of influencers and reality TV on traditional church roles, as they challenge outdated perceptions.

Olesya Vartanyan, an independent analyst specializing in South Caucasus politics, dives into Armenia's escalating church-state crisis. She discusses the arrest of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan amid accusations of plotting against the government, highlighting his influence on national issues. Vartanyan explains how the Armenian Apostolic Church, essential to national identity, faces diminishing public support due to corruption claims. She further examines the complex geopolitics linking church factions to Russia, reflecting on the potential for clergy to become political challengers.

Dr. Erica Cervini, a writer and commentator on reproductive ethics, dives deep into the complexities of commercial surrogacy. She discusses the ongoing review of Australia's contrasting surrogacy laws and the ethical implications of a booming global industry projected to reach $129 billion by 2032. Cervini highlights the risks of exploitation among surrogates, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, and debates the controversial concept of a 'right to a child.' The discussion also touches on troubling practices like 'designer babies' and the industry's focus on intended parents over surrogates' rights.