God Forbid
God Forbid is a podcast from ABC Australia that explores the role of religion in world affairs. It tackles profound questions about existence, death, and the relevance of God. The show seeks answers to these timeless inquiries through thoughtful discussion.
Episodes
The ideas that inspired American Christian Zionism
Whether or not you believe in - or even know about "the Rapture", "the Tribulation", "the End Times", and "Armageddon", your life is influenced by the idea that Jesus Christ will not only return, he’ll go to Jerusalem, and from there, for exactly one thousand years, he’ll rule the world. Yet, this concept is not in the Bible...at least not directly. But a bible, published in Amer
How should we view our relationship to work?
Most of us spend most of our waking hours working, paid and unpaid. From housework to paid work, most of our lives are dominated by work. It's so ingrained that losing our true selves in work can feel unavoidable. Yet, many also find purpose, value, and joy in work – even if it's not their dream job. Work is less a place and more a concept, the line between work and home can be
The seen and unseen: Belief in Jinns, Marian apparitions and Japanese yokai
Halloween, in the western Christian tradition, remembers the dead – saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed. But why do so many believe the departed return? Regardless of the place on earth, or time in history, people say they see strange apparitions and ghostly figures. And as for things unseen, even more profess a belief in genies, spirits, angels and supernatural entiti
Home economics: waking up from the Australian dream
The government has removed favourable tax settings for investors to make home ownership just a bit more achievable for Millennials and Gen Z’s priced out of the market. The Prime Minister has spoken about the importance of giving young people access to housing so they have “a stake in the economy”Is tinkering with, or even an overhaul, of the housing market really the only answer
Doomsday or just good planning? The ethics of prepping
From climate disasters to economic collapse, pandemics to political unrest — some people prepare for the worst long before it happens. But is prepping a sign of prudent foresight or a loss of faith in society? And how do ethics and religion shape ideas of survival? In this episode we explore the growing culture of preppers and survivalists, from community resilience to billionair
Can we truly love AI? And can it love us back?
Falling in love with a machine is supposed to be the stuff of science-fiction. About a decade ago, Spike Jonze made the film Her, about a lonely man Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, falling in love with his operating system, Samantha. And the world renowned psychoanalyst Esther Perel recently counselled a man and his romantic partner, a chat bot! Is romantic love just in our
Addiction, God, and the origin of the twelve steps
Since the Stone Age we’ve used, and abused, drugs and alcohol. And some cultures believed their mood-altering effects brought you closer to God. But if you go to an Alcoholics Anonymous or AA meeting today, you’ll be told that getting closer to God means getting away from the drink.AA also welcomes atheists, of course, as the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop d
Christian leaders talk war, the Pope, getting arrested, courage and empathy
Pope Leo XIV has recently slammed the use of God's name to justify what he terms as the "absurd" pursuit of war, specifically challenging military leaders who describe operations in Iran as a holy war "in the name of Jesus Christ". Is a "holy war" antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Sister Brigid Arthur, Rev Tim Costello and Rev Michael Woolf certainly think so. All o
Why do adults still need fairytales?
Fairytales are among the oldest forms of human storytelling, with their roots in the oral traditions of pre-literate societies. Over centuries, these tales have been reworked to suit the religious, moral and political order of the day. They are instructive, entertaining and sometimes terrifying. Why is there this ongoing appeal – indeed a revival – of fairytales among young and o
The Orthodox surge
It’s Eastern Orthodox Easter this weekend, where the faithful will announce to each other Christos Anesti. Christ is Risen.Also risen? The fortunes of Eastern Orthodoxy among men – though this is contested. Over the last 50 years, the numbers of people around the world identifying as religious have dropped. But the numbers of Christians seem to have stabilised, just in the last f
Why are the Middle Ages are still relevant today?
If you go to the movies, or turn on your TV, you’ll find it hard to avoid the medieval fantasy genre. With its castles and fortresses, cloaks and crowns, and even dungeons and dragons.The stories are fantastical but of course, fictional in their portrayal of medieval Europe and the Islamic Golden Age.But how can a better understanding of what actually happened, in a rapidly chang
Is your privacy sacred?
Evolving digital technologies have supercharged our anxieties about privacy and surveillance. These concerns may feel new, but they have always existed. Access to privacy is central to human dignity and intimacy - but it is also conditional in a society which values openness and accountability. So what should remain seen and unseen? When does surveillance become intrusive? And ca
On judgement
"Don't judge me" is the unofficial commandment of our secular liberal society. We're told so long as you’re not hurting anyone, live however you want. But online, judgement is relentless and cruel. Have we lost the ability to wisely judge, and — eventually — forgive? Or did we never really have it in the first place?
Is the 21st century’s version of freedom liberating or a freedom trap?
These days, we want Rights, not religion. Choice, not Church. Pleasure, over prayer. In Australia, and the world increasingly, the market is the Messiah, and the self is the saviour. But, if we’re the freest people who’ve ever lived, to choose our partners, careers, genders, and Gods or no God, free to buy anything, stream anything, be anything...why then do we seem to be unrave
International Women's Day special
What is the state of women in Australia and globally in 2026? Mainstream social media is increasingly clogged with misogyny, there's the horrendous revelations around Jeffrey Epstein, a rise in women killed by their partners and online harassment of women is at a peak. Are we going backwards? Guests:Ginger Gorman is a journalist and author of Troll Hunting: Inside the World of
Conversion — Why would anyone move from disbelief to belief?
Why would you trade the visible for the invisible? And experts believe in the census later this year – for the first time ever - those ticking “no religion” will surpass Christians. And it’s happening across the global north - even the US – where 95% believed in something 30 years ago – today, nearly 1-in-3 American’s say they’re atheist or agnostic or no religion in particular.
The nature of evil, abuse and forgiveness
If forgiveness is a gift to yourself, what do you give when the harm is unforgiveable? And it’s hard to believe, but some families endure unspeakable harm and somehow remain intact, while others fracture over what seems like nothing at all. How do we hold space for the reality of suffering, even trauma – but also the possibility of redemption? Our culture justifies righteous ange
The pain of love and grief for our pets
Imagine losing the only person who never judged you, never walked away, always made you feel safe. Our culture, and our religions, can make us believe human loss is different to animals dying. But tell that to someone who believes one of the most important relationships in their life is with their pet. GUESTS:Dr Millie Cordaro, Professor of Psychology at Texas State UniversityDr
Pawnbroking, bankruptcy, debt, usury & God!
Credit and debt — borrowing and lending — have long been a part of life.Mortgage holders are all too familiar with the challenge of meeting their repayments and juggling the household budget — a challenge made even more difficult by the recent Reserve Bank decision to increase interest rates.But are financial commitments purely economic obligations, or do they come with a signifi
If you could save a drowning child, would you?
Of course, you believe you WOULD save a drowning child. But that doesn’t make you a saint – in fact, depending on how you live the rest of your life, it could well make you a sinner. For 50 years, PETER SINGER has been making uncomfortable observations like that.Peter is perhaps the world’s most influential philosopher - he’s shaped the way we think about animals and bioethics, a
The Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Royal Commission
After the targeting of Jews in the worst terrorist attack in modern Australian history – a Royal Commission into antisemitism has been announced by the PM.And many Australians refused to believe the something like Bondi could happen here. But other Australians –Jews and Gentiles – warned the terror was not an isolated act, but a foreseeable progression – antisemitic thoughts lea
Living simply in a complex world: how modern monks navigate AI, social media, and climate change
What does living simply mean in 2025? With an increasingly complex world, it is becoming harder and harder to detach from Earthly possessions. But what if we don't need to, in order to live an awakened and spiritual life?The monks of today don't look like the ones you might picture from your childhood. They carry iPhones, have social media, and catch planes across the world. From
Coercion, control and worship: Where do we draw the line between a religion and a cult?
Is a cult a misunderstood religion? Or something much more dangerous?The line between high-control religions, new religious movements, and 'cults' is as grey as ever. But the fascination we have with these groups is only getting stronger. What counts as a 'cult'? Is it your highly controlling tech workplace? Your gym with a forever-binding contract? Or does the casual use of the
Did the human species invent the Bible?
If God says that man is fallible, and man wrote the Bible, then how can we know that the Bible is the true word of God?
Why do we fear fat?
For most of history, body size has been about more than just health — it’s been a tool of control. From colonial ideals of “discipline” to modern-day diet culture, our ideas about fatness and thinness are deeply tied to morality, power, and profit. But are we getting it all wrong?Why do we see fatness as a personal failure rather than a natural variation in human bodies? How have
Close encounters of the religious kind: how God and UFOs have both begun religious movements
Looking towards the heavens for meaning doesn’t always mean looking to God. UFOs (and the modern moniker UAPs) have long been the food for thought of sceptics, theologians, and astrobiologists alike. But what does belief in these mysterious phenomena have in common with religion? And what implications does life outside Earth have for the existence of God? GUESTS:Bill Chalker, UF
What were the biggest religious stories in 2025? Ask the experts!
The big news for Christians is that this year we had BOTH a new Pope and – for the Anglican communion – the announcement of a new Archbishop of Canterbury.For Catholics, of course, Leo was the surprise choice at the papal conclave in May. The first pope from the United States. And the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. And Dr Sarah Mullally will be the first woman to be en
Religious Rebels 06 | Dorothy Day: Rebel for the poor, saint for the restless
A bohemian journalist who found God in the slums — and built a movement that unsettled both Church and State.Born in Brooklyn in 1897, Dorothy Day lived many lives: radical writer, suffragist, single mother, and eventually Catholic convert. In the midst of the Great Depression, she co-founded the Catholic Worker movement, opening houses of hospitality for the poor and protesting
Religious Rebels 05 | Malcolm X: Reborn in Mecca, killed in Harlem
A street hustler turned minister whose faith transformed Black politics — and himself.Born Malcolm Little in 1925, Malcolm X rose to fame as a fiery preacher in the Nation of Islam, calling for Black self-determination “by any means necessary.” But after his pilgrimage to Mecca, he embraced Sunni Islam and a universal vision of justice that transcended race. Weeks later, he was a
Religious Rebels 04 | John Calvin: Reformed the faith, ruled with fire
A French lawyer-turned-theologian who split from Rome — and built his own city of God.John Calvin fled Catholic France to lead a new Protestant movement in Geneva during the 1500s. His ideas about predestination and the absolute authority of Scripture reshaped Christianity and inspired the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions. Yet under his rule, dissenters were exiled, imprisone
Religious Rebels 03 | Táhirih: Unveiled the truth, paid with her life
A Persian poet and scholar who tore off her veil — and announced the dawn of a new religious age. In the 1840s, Táhirih became one of the first women to preach in public in Iran. As a leading figure in the Bábí movement — a precursor to the Bahá’í faith — she argued that revelation had not ended and that women should be free to study, speak, and lead. Her defiance of clerical and
Religious Rebels 02 | Giordano Bruno: Imagined the Infinite, Burned at the Stake
A former Dominican friar who dared to say the universe had no centre — and paid with his life.Born in 16th-century Italy, Giordano Bruno broke with Church teachings to imagine an infinite cosmos filled with countless worlds. To him, God was not confined to heaven or hierarchy but alive in every corner of creation. The Inquisition saw it differently. After years of imprisonment an
Religious Rebels 01 | Joan of Arc: Mystic, warrior and gender transgressor
A teenage peasant who claimed to hear the voice of God — and changed the course of European history. At just seventeen, Joan of Arc convinced the French prince to let her lead an army against the English, turning the tide of the Hundred Years’ War. But her victories came at a price: captured, accused of heresy, and burned alive at nineteen. Was she a divinely inspired saviour or
Near-death experiences: myth or mystical?
What’s on the other side of the near-death experience?
Was Jesus a real person?
Only half of all Australians understand Jesus to be a real person who lived at a time and place in history, according to the latest Australian Community Survey.Two in 10 Australians said Jesus was a mythical or fictional character while three out of 10 didn’t know.Their doubts stand in contrast to those of ancient historians, classicists and New Testament scholars, who universall
Why do human animals fly planes and build cities?
What separates humans from other animals? It’s not our brain hardware. It’s our always changing brain software.For so long, humans believed our brain power separates us from animals: since the earliest human species, our brain size has tripled.But our brains haven’t grown for 30,000 - probably 300,000 years.So, why are we the ones who build cities and fly to space? Michael Muthu
Could whales be Gods?
In the Pacific Ocean right now grey, humpback and southern right whale populations are increasing.This is important for us all ecologically. But for some of us, even more is at stake.Because around the world, from the equator to the Arctic, from Russia to New Zealand, throughout history and today, humans revere whales, as spiritual ancestors and as harbingers of fortune and prote
The ethics of witchcraft and hexing the far-right
Two days prior to the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, a group of writers at US-based feminist magazine, Jezebel, published an article stating that they 'Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk’. The magazine has since pulled the article, on the advice of their lawyers, so as not to cause any confusion about their stance on political violence of a
Writing on the body: desecration or worship?
The art of marking the body, by piercing the flesh and pushing ink into the wound, the tattoo, has had an uneasy relationship with religion.It's sometimes seen as a desecration of the body, but equally, the tattoo is venerated as a rite of passage and as a form of worship.Then there are tattoos in the secular context. They are so common in Australia now, it’s actually hard to fi
Why the origins of Christianity still matter today
Two thousand years ago, Christianity was an obscure movement with no wealth, power, or friends in high places. Yet within a few centuries, its radical commitment to human dignity, charity and non-violence transformed the Roman world and helped shape the civilisation we live in today.How did a powerless sect became the most influential religion on Earth? From ancient plagues and p
Gen Y and Gen Z are finding God
It’s hard to believe that one in three young Australian adults go regularly to worship services – more than any other age group. But it’s true and men are leading the charge.It’s a puzzle, because it breaks two longstanding rules of religion: believers are typically female and old.Remember back in 2000. Even the most optimistic priest wouldn’t have predicted that would change. T
God, the Big Bang & the fortunate universe
We live in a universe that sustains life – but what are the chances of that? And scientists now believe that if the laws of physics were different by just a fraction – our universe would be either empty, simple, or long ago extinct.If the strength of gravity or the mass of an electron was different by even the tiniest amount, the universe as we know it would not exist. So tiny ev
Truth and trust in a post-truth world
Truth used to be something we argued about. Now we can’t even agree on what it is. In a world of fake news and alternate facts, we each claim our personal truth, our own competing version of reality.So, how does science, religion, and philosophy help us navigate truth when certainty is elusive?What does it mean to live in a time when truth itself feels fractured? When the world i
Can celibacy actually make us purer and closer to God?
Can celibacy actually make us purer and closer to God? What is it about sex that gets in the way of our divinity?What do some of the world’s major religions say about celibacy or even require of it’s devotees?And, with the very noticeable global decline in the birth rate, are we already seeing a trend towards a more chaste life? If so, can abstinence draw us closer to our spirit
Is God in the machine?
Can we know God through machines? Can machines know God? And could machines, one day, become godlike themselves? While AI is still in its infancy, it is evolving at lightning speed, and ingraining itself in our lives. From writing our emails, creating our budgets and even serving as our therapists, society is embracing AI as part of our everyday lives. But what about faith? Our
How should our leaders behave?
With the Coldplay "kiss cam" fiasco and two corporate careers in tatters we ask the question: Should leaders be held to a higher personal standard than the rest of society? Beyond the memes and outrage, what does this moment reveal about how we expect leaders to behave — not just at work, but in public and online?And what does ethical leadership look like in an era where CEO pay
The language of God: Literacy, power, and the sacred word
Is God multilingual? Does the divine speak Hebrew? Arabic? Latin? Or is it something more mysterious?This week on God Forbid, we’re asking: who gets to speak the language of God? And what happens when only a select few can read the sacred texts? From ancient scrolls to colonial classrooms, religion has often been shaped — and controlled — by language and literacy.Guests:Prof Hali
Reality TV, Mormon wives, and guilty pleasures
What do dancing Mormons, blind dates, and superyachts have in common? They've all featured on so-called ‘reality TV’ shows. But just how ‘real’ are they? Some argue reality tv is anti-feminist – yet the genre is consistently popular with young women, and a new reality TV show is breaking records with religious women at the centre of it – The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.It's not
We live in a world where horror is all too real. So why are horror movies breaking box office records?
55 horror movies came out last year - more than one a week - the most of any year this century.But why would make-believe horror double its box office share in a decade which has seen real existential fear: wars, pandemics, and natural disasters.And what do movies that scare us have to do with religions that comfort us?Well, they’re both interested in what you believe, ask quest
What binds us together as Australians?
The Prime Minister says our cultural diversity is a strength and calls for "progressive patriotism".But global turmoil is making it's way to our shores in the form of demonstrations and violence on our streets. What does the future hold for the ties that bind us together?And what IS progressive patriotism anyway?GUESTS:Prof, the Rev Peter Kurti, Director, Culture, Prosperity &
Can the Dalai Lama's Tibet ever be self-determined?
With His Holiness the Dalai Lama turning 90 this month, every day that passes brings his succession closer. When he dies, the religious power struggle over his replacement will certainly be at the top of the Communist Party’s agenda.So what might lie in the future for Tibet in it's ongoing struggle for autonomy from Chinese rule?Is there a middle way that could be acceptable to b
Hair...flow it, grow it, show it... as long as God allows it!
On God Forbid we’re talking about the sacred strands that sprout from our skulls. Whether it’s being grown long, shaved off, or covered up... hair has long been a point of contention for faith communities. Claims of both modesty AND freedom come up when we discuss hair coverings... and often a similar piece of fabric will elicit very different responses depending on the religion
Leading with love: women are taking the church into the future
In Australia, and beyond, women are taking on religious leadership in ways that would have been unthinkable decades ago. But change and faith is a complex brew. And for every breakthrough, there's backlash. And the arguments aren't just theological – they're personal too, touching on tradition, culture, and what it means to be faithful in a changing world. So, what happens when
Monogamy: Is it still the gold standard of intimate relationships?
Although the Australian population has doubled in size since the early 1970s, the number of marriages registered each year has not increased over this time.And…interest in poly modes of intimacy are on the rise.So, what do people want in their intimate relationships and indeed marriages in 2025?Can we still make a case for monogamy – dedication to “the one” till death do us part?
Stealing my religion: When does religious appreciation become appropriation?
Is religious appropriation an act of reverence? Or cultural theft? Yoga at the gym, meditation via an app on your phone, sage-smudging a corporate office. Religious rituals and traditions are being taken out of their original context and used in everyday life by people outside the culture and faith they're taken from. Could this be considered a kind of theft? Or is this part of a
Coercion, control and worship: Where do we draw the line between a religion and a cult?
Is a cult a misunderstood religion? Or something much more dangerous?The line between high-control religions, new religious movements, and 'cults' is as grey as ever. But the fascination we have with these groups is only getting stronger. What counts as a 'cult'? Is it your highly controlling tech workplace? Your gym with a forever-binding contract? Or does the casual use of the
Bodies bodies bodies: burial, belief and death across faith
How do different religions treat the dead? What do their burial practices say about the soul? And in an era of environmental crisis and shrinking space, how might death rituals evolve?GUESTS:Dr Paul Tapsell, Māori academic at Lincoln University and expert in Indigenous knowledge systemsRev Prof. Vicky Balabanski, Uniting Church minister and ecological theologian, General Editor o
The Devil you know: Satan’s journey from scripture to satire
From fallen angel to Netflix anti-hero, the Devil has had quite the makeover. In this episode of God Forbid, Sami Shah leads a devilishly good panel exploring the many faces of Satan — from ancient Hebrew texts to modern Satanism.Is the Devil a cosmic villain, a cultural scapegoat, or a misunderstood metaphor? We unpack how different religions and movements have shaped — and resh
BONUS: The history of the Papacy
In this special bonus episode of God Forbid, Noel Debien sits down with Dr Paul Collins, former Catholic priest, broadcaster, author of many books on the Catholicism and Pope, including his most recent work - Absolute Power: How the Pope became the most influential man in the world. Together Noel and Paul discuss the legacy of Pope Francis and the complex history of the Papacy.
What lies beyond the conclave for the Catholic Church
The papal conclave is set to begin on May 7. As the Sistine Chapel closes its doors to the public, preparations are underway for a secret process that will determine the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Coming to you from outside Saint Peter's Basilica this week, the God Forbid panel find out what lies ahead for the Catholic church.
How powerful is the Muslim vote this upcoming election?
In Australia, we like to think of ourselves as a multicultural success story, where freedom of religion, expression, and democracy coexist without conflict. But what happens when religion moves from the private sphere into political activism?Muslim Votes Matter is a new political advocacy group calling on Muslim Australians to vote not just as individuals, but as a community unit
Why do we fear fat?
For most of history, body size has been about more than just health — it’s been a tool of control. From colonial ideals of “discipline” to modern-day diet culture, our ideas about fatness and thinness are deeply tied to morality, power, and profit. But are we getting it all wrong?
Week with Students: Does religion have a place in the modern Australian classroom?
Generation Z and Generation Alpha have often come under fire for being disconnected and increasingly isolated from their peers. Could a decrease in religious education to be to blame? Or is religion fated to lose its grip on the younger generations for good? God Forbid speaks to high school students to get the answer.
Did the human species invent the Bible?
But if God says that man is fallible, and man wrote the Bible, then how can we know that the Bible is the true word of God? Where do our ideas of God come from? Is he purely a human-made invention, used to tell a morally compelling ancient story?
When is it okay to cut off your parents?
When does cutting off a parent go from self-care to severing ties unnecessarily? What are the ethics behind going 'no contact' with difficult family members?
Doomsday or just good planning? The ethics of prepping
If disaster strikes, are you ready? From faith-driven survivalists to billionaire bunkers, the rise of prepping raises big ethical questions. Is it wise foresight or doomsday paranoia? And in a crisis, do we fend for ourselves or help others?
How are creators using TikTok to bring history to a new generation?
How can you ethically condense millions of years of history, religion, and culture into a 30-second video?
Pope Francis and the legacy he leaves behind
Pope Francis was the first pope from South America, and was said to be one of the most progressive and humble popes in Catholic history. But can the Church sustain his legacy?
Mardi Gras special: on being gay and Godly
How do queer people stay faithful? And how do people raised on religion celebrate being sexually and gender diverse?
Religion, drugs, and the power of mind-altering substances
How have 'psychedelics' and recreational drugs affected (and been affected by) religion?
Close encounters of the religious kind: how God and UFOs have both begun religious movements
Believers have long looked to the heavens for meaning, believing in not only God, but UFOs as well.
To bare or not to bare: why religion can't make its mind up about nudity
Why do religions tell us to cover up? And how has this affected the way we value, judge, and sexualise our bodies in the modern world?
Living simply in a complex world: how modern monks navigate AI, social media, and climate change
From Hare Krishna to Humanistic Buddhism, modern followers of mindful traditions grapple with maintaining a connection to the world while not falling prey to its modern trappings.How do they do it? And what can we learn from them?
The world's oldest hatred: how anti-Semitism found its way to Australia
With anti-Semitic vandalism on the rise in Australia, and debate over exactly who and what is causing this surge -- how can the international Jewish community respond?
The spirituality of fishing
Why are so many Australians passionate about fishing? Is it simply the thrill of the catch or is there something deeper that keeps us hooked?
The history of God
Just what did God look like and how did he lose his bodily self?
We know magic isn't real, so why does it still fascinate us?
Magic as we know it today is performance art, harmless entertainment – from Penn and Teller to Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield to Harry Houdini. But, magic, past and present, is stranger, richer and more complex than you imagine.
Sawdust and the soul
Jesus was famously a carpenter, and many religious texts associate carpentry with wisdom, humility, and devotion. So, is there something divine about working with wood?
Kindness — a radical idea?
Could kindness be an act of defiance or resistance?
Rebel fighters have overthrown the Assad regime in Syria, what does that mean for its people?
Who is going to rule over the country now that Syria is free from the tyrannical Assad regime?
