The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

This week, as part of the ABC’s look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National. In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies. A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s. Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens.  GUEST:Associate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales

The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording. It’s another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed. Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens. GUEST:Dr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture 

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He’s called for an immediate ceasefire. Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care? Leo understands the brutal history of Iran’s regime, but he’s worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint. What balance is he trying to strike? GUEST:Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historian.

As Israel and the United States continue their war with Iran, even promising to assassinate the new and hardline ayatollah, Pope Leo has emerged as a champion of international law. He’s called for an immediate ceasefire. Tens of millions of people maybe hearing him, but does the leadership in Jerusalem, Washington and Tehran care? Leo understands the brutal history of Iran’s regime, but he’s worried about the strongest nations behaving as they choose, without restraint. What balance is he trying to strike? This week, as part of the ABC’s look at the persistence of antisemitism in Australia and the world, the Religion and Ethics team partnered with ABC TV and Big Ideas here on Radio National. In a special episode of Big Ideas, we explored the religious roots of anti-Jewish prejudice because certain Christian and Muslim texts have been manipulated to fit political ideologies. A key turning point came in the 1800s, when a racial form of antisemitism began to supplant religious bigotry, with the most lethal consequence by the 1930s and 1940s. Geoff Levey of the University of New South Wales explained this change to me and my colleague Scott Stephens. The bookshelves of the Dalai Lama are groaning with awards for peace and justice work, including the Nobel Peace Prize. But he recently added a more unusual accolade – a Grammy award for the best spoken-word book recording. It’s another example of how religion and popular culture are deeply enmeshed. Research by the US-based Faith and Media Initiative suggests audiences, including those with no religious belief, love religious themes on the big and small screens. GUESTS:Dr Miles Pattenden of Oxford University is a papal historianAssociate Professor Geoff Levey of the University of New South WalesDr Anna Halafoff is Professor of Sociology at Deakin University who specialises in faith and popular culture 

Acclaimed journalist Robin Wright of The New Yorker covered Iran from the start of the 1979 revolution, which brought the first ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, to power. She’s sceptical that the United States and Israel can bring change through aerial bombardment.GUEST Robin Wright of The New Yorker

Donald Trump says he’s liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division? Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora.Guest:Professor Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora.

As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi’ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?  GuestDr Renae Barker Senior Lecturer, UWA Law School 

Donald Trump says he’s liberated the people of Iran to forge their own future, after killing their autocratic leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as the bombing continues and any organised resistance struggles to emerge, is this ethnically diverse land, with thousands of years of history, at risk of breaking up or descending into sectarian division? Nahid Siamdoust of the University of Texas specialises in the politics and culture of the Middle East. She’s also part of the Iranian diaspora.Acclaimed journalist Robin Wright of The New Yorker covered Iran from the start of the 1979 revolution, which brought the first ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, to power.  She’s sceptical that the United States and Israel can bring change through aerial bombardment.As the regime in Iran fell, a handful of Shia Muslim communities in Australia went into mourning for the Ayatollah, drawing criticism from New South Wales premier Chris Minns. Khamenei was a brutal autocrat, but he was also a spiritual leader to many Shi’ites. Is it the role of the state to decide who a religious community can mourn?  Dr Renae Barker specialises in law and religion at the University of Western Australia law.

As Australia begins its royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, new research by the Pew Centre shows we’re one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. There’s no longer a majority religion, meaning many faiths have found a place. It’s a finding that might surprise those who expected that much bigger countries, such as the United States or India, might claim the title. Yunping Tong was a senior researcher on the Pew team.GUEST: Yunping Tong is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center in Washington DC

When, and why, does criticism of Israel often descend into antisemitic tropes? How do you build a free Palestine and a secure, truly democratic Israel? Guardian columnist Jonathon Freedland has spent a quarter of century making the case for Jewish and Palestinian partnership. He’s also the author of a new book about resisters in Nazi Germany, titled The Traitors’ Circle. Jonathon's in Australia with The Jewish Independent and the New Israel Fund.GUEST:Jonathon Freedland is a Guardian columnist and former foreign correspondent

As Australia begins its royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, new research by the Pew Centre shows we’re one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. There’s no longer a majority religion, meaning many faiths have found a place. It’s a finding that might surprise those who expected that much bigger countries, such as the United States or India, might claim the title. Yunping Tong was a senior researcher on the Pew team.When, and why, does criticism of Israel often descend into antisemitic tropes? How do you build a free Palestine and a secure, truly democratic Israel? Guardian columnist Jonathon Freedland has spent a quarter of century making the case for Jewish and Palestinian partnership. He’s also the author of a new book about resisters in Nazi Germany, titled The Traitors’ Circle. He’s in Australia with The Jewish Independent and the New Israel Fund.GUESTS:Yunping Tong is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center in Washington DCJonathon Freedland is a Guardian columnist and former foreign correspondent

It was a revolution where barely a shot was fired. Nuns armed with rosary beads helped lead millions of Filipinos in peaceful demonstrations that, 40 years ago this week, brought down the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ringing in the ears of the people was the voice of a soft-spoken archbishop who urged them to topple a corrupt and increasingly brutal regime. Just how critical was Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Church to the People Power revolution? Filipino historian Dr Jethro Calacday is currently with Cambridge University.GUEST:Dr Jethro Calacday, Filipino historian currently at Cambridge University

Buried in the latest tranche of documents about the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein is an extraordinary exchange of emails. They involve Epstein and the one-time adviser to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon. They discuss a plot to bring down the late Pope Francis. Bannon had long disliked Francis, but these emails suggest a deepening conspiracy. Claire Giangrave has been studying the emails. Professor  Anthea Butler, civil rights historian and theologian, discusses the life and ministry of the Rev, Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who has died, aged 83.It was a revolution where barely a shot was fired. Nuns armed with rosary beads helped lead millions of Filipinos in peaceful demonstrations that, 40 years ago this week, brought down the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ringing in the ears of the people was the voice of a soft-spoken archbishop who urged them to topple a corrupt and increasingly brutal regime. Just how critical was Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Church to the People Power revolution? Filipino historian Dr Jethro Calacday is currently with Cambridge University.GUESTS:Claire Giangrave, Rome-based reporter for RNS, covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican.Prof Anthea Butler, civil rights historian and theologian from the University of PennsylvaniaDr Jethro Talacday, Filippino historian currently at Cambridge University

Professor Anthea Butler discusses the life and ministry of the Rev, Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who has died, aged 83.GUEST:Prof Anthea Butler is a civil rights historian and theologian from the University of Pennsylvania, 

Newly released files from the US Department of Justice suggest that Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser to US President Donald Trump, discussed strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein against Pope Francis, with Bannon saying he hoped to “take down” the pontiff.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?On the ABC Religion & Ethics website, two prominent lawyers have been jousting over the issue. We’re bringing that exchange to the airwaves.GUEST:Jeremy Leibler, also a lawyer and president of the Zionist Council of Australia, says the Herzog visit comes after Australia’s worst terrorist attack, motivated by anti-Semitic hatred and brings comfort to a grieving Jewish community.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?On the ABC Religion & Ethics website, two prominent lawyers have been jousting over the issue. We’re bringing that exchange to the airwaves.Josh Bornstein is a prominent lawyer, free speech advocate and Jewish Australian. He argues the visit to Australia by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, has deepened divisions in Australia over the Gaza war.

Australia has played host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week. Herzog addressed a gathering in Sydney this week that included the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, outside a large demonstration against his visit became violent with multiple arrests and accusations of police brutality.Was this visit a good idea? Would it provide the Jewish community with a sense of security? Or ignite the already febrile political atmosphere?GUESTS:Josh Bornstein is a prominent lawyer, free speech advocate and Jewish Australian. He argues the visit to Australia by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, has deepened divisions in Australia over the Gaza war. Meanwhile, Jeremy Leibler, also a lawyer and president of the Zionist Council of Australia, says the Herzog visit comes after Australia’s worst terrorist attack, motivated by anti-Semitic hatred and brings comfort to a grieving Jewish community.

The Islamic Republic of Iran finds itself, again, on the brink of conflict with the West, with the United States sending an armada to the region. The latest tension follows mass demonstrations – and the mass killings of protesters – across Iran and raises the question of just how long the 47-year-old theocratic regime can survive. GUEST:Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert of Macquarie University specialises in Iran and the Middle East and spent almost three years as a political prisoner in the regime’s jails.

The world’s 85 million Anglicans have a new spiritual leader, as Dame Sarah Mullally officially begins her term as Archbishop of Canterbury. She’s first woman to hold the position. But her historic appointment has highlighted divisions in the Anglican world, including in Australia, where some conservatives have rejected her leadership.GUEST: Bishop Mark Short of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese is the new primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. It’s his job to try to reconcile a fractious church.