The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there’s also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies.  The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation.  GUEST: Samirah Majumder is the lead author of Pews recent report . 

Long before being a PM incumbent, Andy Burnham was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool.  Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church’s teaching.  How much will faith shape his prime ministership?  GUEST: Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos .

It’s a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries.  Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei.  He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel.  Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a...

It’s a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a ra...

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust. Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice.  The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust becaus...

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust. Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice.  The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust becaus...

July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence.  For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious.  Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics.  As part of Radio National’s Ame...

The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million.  The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers.  Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive all they’re seeking but the Brothers have revealed they’ve already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980.  GUEST: Pr...

After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive...

If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem.  For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray.  But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to trans...

A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion.  At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans.  But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics?  A growing number of progressive Democrats sa...

India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji.  The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire.  But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji’s legacy?   GUEST: Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspon...

As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament?  Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   The Austral...

As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   India is in...

We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia’s a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling.  That’s the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING.  She’s been living in Ethiopia’s Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary...

If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you’ll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It’s the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”.  Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style.  GUEST: Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock &am...

On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia’s newest cathedral.  The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense.  But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics. GUEST: Niall McLaughlin is the architect on...

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government’s plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations.  Christian and Muslim leaders have asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers to reconsider. Mark Fowler has been following the story. GUEST: Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian C...

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government’s plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. They fear up to 30 per cent of their income could disappear. If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you’ll almost certainly hear his favourite song – the high-camp late 70's hit by the Village...

As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism.  One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers.  They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II.  But how realistic is their vision in 2026?  GUEST: Joyce Ajlouny is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency....

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences.  Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight.  Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions.  But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia. Extremis...

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia. Extremism e...

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century.  He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans.  His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity .  GUEST: Professor Beth Singler from the U...

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. But medical staff aren’t just battling a virus. They’re fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. The Anglican Bis...

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century.  He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans.  His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity .  GUEST: Dr Victoria Lorrimar heads the Ce...