Matters of Life and Death

The prominent vaccine sceptic turned US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is hard at work tearing apart America’s vaccine orthodoxy and establishment. For decades now questions have been raised about a supposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism. And the pandemic turbocharged vaccine hesitancy and the anti-vax movement. So what is the evidence that vaccination protects us from disease without causing us harm? Are the side effects actually so rare? Were corners cut by Big Pharma and the medical establishment in the rush to roll out covid jabs? And why do so many, including Christians, find it hard to trust the mountains of scientific evidence which points to the safety and efficacy of vaccination? Is the church especially fertile soil for conspiracy theories and mistrust of science to grow – and if so, should we be worried about this? RFK Jr cancels $500m in funding for mRNA vaccines - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74dzdddvmjo RFK Jr sacks entire US vaccine committee - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyge27y2g9o John’s previous writing and podcasts about vaccines from the covid pandemic - https://www.johnwyatt.com/?s=vaccines • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

Exploring the changing conversation around miscarriage, the discussion highlights the emotional complexities faced by parents and the need for societal recognition and support. It addresses the spiritual dimensions of baby loss, especially within church contexts, and emphasizes understanding and compassion. The narrative contrasts the empathy growing for miscarriage with the isolation surrounding abortion, urging for open dialogues. Personal stories reveal the stark realities of these experiences, underscoring the importance of authentic storytelling in shifting societal perceptions.

For a technology that only really hit the public consciousness barely three years ago, AI is everywhere. Clearly it is useful, maybe even addictive, but can it also be harmful? Should we be concerned, as Christians, as creatives, as human beings even, at what AI is doing to crafts such as artistry, writing and more? No-one is arguing for a total firewall against AI, but is it possible to integrate it thoughtfully into our daily lives and work – welcoming the shortcuts it offers – without it gradually degrading our own intrinsic human God-given spark of creativity? In this episode we talk through these ideas with Caleb Woodbridge, an editor and writer, who recently published an intriguing manifesto about how to hold onto our humanity in the age of AI. Caleb’s Substack article - https://www.biggerinside.co.uk/p/remaining-human-in-the-age-of-ai His personal website - https://calebwoodbridge.com/ • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

Delve into the controversial world of The Enhanced Games, where athletes can use any technology or drugs for peak performance. Explore the clash of transhumanism and ethical implications as elite sports become a testing ground for human enhancement. The discussion raises provocative questions about competition and the societal views on success, contrasting ancient ideals with contemporary practices. Engage with the moral dilemmas posed by the intersection of sports, technology, and faith as we ponder the future of humanity and enhancement.

This discussion tackles the moral dilemmas Christians face when considering jobs in the defense industry. It examines the interplay between faith and ethics, especially through the lens of just war theory. The conversation then shifts to a shocking family discovery made through DNA testing, raising questions about the implications of such technologies on identity and kinship. Historical perspectives on maternity practices further enrich the dialogue, revealing the complexities of nature, nurture, and modern family dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Luke Arredondo, a Catholic theologian and expert on Pope Leo XIII, explores the new Pope Leo XIV's nod to his namesake's impactful teachings. They dive into the revolutionary implications of Catholic social teaching, linking it to today's technological era marked by AI. Arredondo highlights how the Church's pro-worker principles from the 1890s remain relevant in addressing modern labor issues and the ethical challenges posed by globalization and digital advancements.

Last week we set the historical context of abortion law in the UK and how a sudden imposition of decriminalised abortion in 2019 in Northern Ireland set a precedent for what happened here in England a few weeks ago. But it’s hard to imagine the situation we have today also without the covid pandemic, which pro-abortion activists used skilfully to accelerate their plans to liberalise Britain’s abortion regime. How did the pills by post telemedicine abortions introduced during the lockdown lead to our present situation, where a small number of women are being unprecedentedly prosecuted and even imprisoned for aborting late-term fetuses? And presuming decriminalisation does pass the House of Lords and become law, what on earth should Christians and the church do in response? Is the answer more strident advocacy, prayer, or social action to reduce demand for abortion in the first place? Dawn McAvoy leads the Both Lives initiative from the Evangelical Alliance, find out more here - https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives/about • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

Dawn McAvoy, leader of the Both Lives initiative at the Evangelical Alliance, dives into the controversial recent decriminalization of abortion in the UK. She unpacks the speed and lack of debate surrounding this reform, exploring its historical context and implications. The conversation highlights the significant shifts in societal attitudes towards abortion, particularly in Northern Ireland. Dawn also discusses the ethical concerns and the evolving legal landscape, raising questions about the balance between individual rights and societal responsibilities.

This week we’re joined by the writer and podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield. Her new book Fully Alive is a series of essays trying to introduce riches of the Christian tradition and its wisdom on everything from feminism to loneliness to non-believers who may have never considered Christianity before. We discuss trying to tap into what many see as a crisis of meaning and associated new openness to faith in culture. Is there really, beyond the tiny intellectual elite debating these ideas, a genuine curiosity and yearning for spiritual answers to life’s biggest questions among ordinary people? Elizabeth also lives in a 21st-century monastic-style community house in South London, and we drill into how sharing your home, money and life with another family can possibly work – and the costs and benefits of radical early church-style hospitality. Find out more about Elizabeth and her book, podcast and newsletter at www.elizabetholdfield.com • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com

Tim is on holiday, so today we’re bringing you a classic episode from the MOLAD archive. The persecuted church today lives as it always has under the threat of arrest, imprisonment, physical attack, verbal threats and harassment, and even death. But today these traditional methods are supplemented by the technological revolution. Increasingly persecution comes via the internet, on social media platforms, and sometimes even via the smart devices Christians use themselves. How do oppressive regimes and anti-Christian extremists use modern tech to persecute believers? What impact does this new form of pervasive digital surveillance have on underground churches? And how can those of us worshipping in safety and freedom try to resist a future of global coercion and repression for vulnerable Christians facilitated by multinational tech companies? • Subscribe to the Matters of Life and Death podcast: https://pod.link/1509923173 • If you want to go deeper into some of the topics we discuss, visit John's website: http://www.johnwyatt.com • For more resources to help you explore faith and the big questions, visit: http://www.premierunbelievable.com