The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

ABC
  • 4.3 (6)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Religion and Ethics Report, where religion and ethics meet news and current affairs in Australia and around the world.

  1. 4D AGO

    Has the Israeli President's visit brought comfort or civil unrest?

    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.

    29 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Jeremy Leibler on the President Herzog visit

    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.

    21 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Josh Borstein on the President Herzog visit

    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.

    14 min

  4. FEB 4

    How to reconcile a fractious Anglican Church

    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.

    10 min

  5. FEB 4

    Iran regime might be on the brink of collapse

    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.

    17 min

  6. FEB 4

    Is the Islamic Republic of Iran on the brink of regime change?

    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.  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.  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. John Allen Jr., a longtime Vaticanista and editor-in-chief of the Catholic publication Crux, died Jan. 22, 2026, at age 61. GUESTS:  Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert -  Research Fellow in Security Studies at Macquarie University. Kylie is a political scientist specialising in the Middle EastBishop Mark Short of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese is the new primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.

    29 min

  7. JAN 28

    An antidote to the age of arrogance?

    Conservatism comes in many forms these days. And many of the groups and actors who claim the word for themselves are a rogues gallery. For Anthony Kronman there's another time honoured tradition of conservatism. It puts the common  good ahead of self interest, greed and ego. GUEST: Anthony T. Kronman is Sterling Professor of Law and a former dean of Yale Law School and author of True Conservatism: Reclaiming Our Humanity in an Arrogant Age

    29 min

  8. JAN 14

    The charismatic Catholic who helped shape the Republican Party

    Long before Donald Trump up-ended traditional conservatism in the US, another charismatic figure was re-shaping the Republican Party. Writer William F. Buckley was the first editor of National Review, perhaps the most influential political magazine of the 20th century. Ronald Reagan was a particular enthusiast for its ideas. But there was another force in Buckley’s life, and it often conflicted with his politics – the Catholic Church. GUEST: Sam Tanenhaus is the author of the acclaimed new biography, Buckley: The Life and Revolution that Changed America.This program first went to air in September 2025 and was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

    29 min
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The Religion and Ethics Report, where religion and ethics meet news and current affairs in Australia and around the world.

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