Religion And Ethics Report - Full Program Podcast

There are fears that the war in Ethiopia could wreak damage on the ancient holy city of Lalibela, a new report looks at countries where governments restrict religious practice, plus a bill to legalise euthanasia or voluntary assisted dying is due this week in NSW parliament and religious leaders are divided over the issue.

Australian Catholics are meeting this week for a historic summit — the first of its kind in over 80 years — designed to overcome decades of crises. Plus, a moving story about the almost forgotten victim of the 9/11 tragedy.

For ten of thousands of Australian Catholics, it's make or break time for the church, as a historic summit involving clerics and representatives from local parishes begins over the weekend; a former Royal Commissioner says the church must seize this chance to confront the secrecy and power that enabled the child sexual abuse scandal. Plus, can mandatory vaccinations for workers be introduced in an ethical way?

The Taliban continues to impose a harsh religious law on Afghanistan, now refusing to allow teenage girls back to school and urging women to stay in their homes. The militant group are now in charge of a sovereign state — but should the international community recognise the regime? Plus, there are laws to protect human rights during war, but do they actually create wars without end?

Pubs, theatres, and sporting events may demand proof of vaccination before patrons can enter —  but should the same rule apply to places of worship? And has right-wing populism waned in the upcoming German elections? Plus, Justine Toh explores "workism," meritocracies, and our obsession with achievements in a new book.

Award-winning journalist Stan Grant takes us through the world on September 10, 2001. After the collapse of the World Trade Centre on 9/11 what fractures appeared across the Islamic world, and how did the terrorist attack turbo-charge nationalism in Europe and the U.S.? Then we hear from artist Abdul Abdullah on how the events of 9/11 shaped his identity as a Muslim in Australia.

The Taliban now control Afghanistan, but what happens to those who are yet to leave? The U.N. is predicting that half a million Afghans could try to flee, could one possible answer be a Kurdish-style solution? Plus, why is the Palestinian West Bank is still roiling with protests?

A group of Australian Christian leaders are calling for the Prime Minister to increase Australia’s intake of refugees from Afghanistan; we find out where the Taliban leaders and fighters learnt their harsh brand of Islam from; and a renowned human rights lawyer explains what happens when you give police free reign in a pandemic.

The Taliban has sealed control of Afghanistan, which raises the obvious question — will it again impose its harsh religious law on the people? And could moderate leaders in the wider Muslim world use their power to tame the extremists? Then later in the program, we hear from one of the world’s leading human rights scholars on the fundamental freedoms we’ve sacrificed in our response to COVID-19.

High-profile Pentecostal pastor Brian Houston has been charged with allegedly concealing information about child abuse committed by his late father in the 1970s. The news raises fresh questions about the future of his global Hillsong megachurch. Also, we hear the true story of the only refugee to ever escape from Manus Island. Rohingya man Jaivet Ealom details his audacious flight in the new book Escape from Manus.