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opinion

Fanaticism aside, how to explain the appeal of live music events like Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”?

What drives thousands of people to endure long waits, brave discomfort and even health risks, all to purchase tickets or attend a packed concert venue? Could the attraction be something more than the charisma of stars like Taylor Swift?

by: Milad Haghani and Amanda Krause

opinion

Aging behind bars: How should we address the unseen crisis of dementia in prison?

In Australia and overseas there are more older people in prisons — not only does this present challenges in managing aged-related illnesses, it also raises serious questions about how we treat those who are incarcerated.

by: Ella Kofoed and Margaret Nixon

opinion

Should governments break election commitments that no longer align with their values?

The media’s response to the federal government’s change of heart on the Stage 3 tax cuts, and PM Anthony Albanese’s attempt to justify this change to the public, reveal a lot about how we have come to understand democracy in Australia.

by: Luara Ferracioli and Ryan Cox

Beautiful people are better liked, richer and more successful. Two philosophers explain why

Human preoccupation with beauty has a long history, but these experts say something new is at play. 
A pop art illustration of a woman wearing sunglasses, with thumbs up emojis in the glass.

by: By Anna Levy for The Philosopher's Zone

opinion

Anti-social media: What can be done to stop platforms from driving democracies apart?

Research demonstrates that the social platforms designed to captivate our attention can foster environments where mental health deteriorates, political divides widen, and extremism finds fertile ground.

by: Uri Gal

Why a biblical story is central to South Africa's ICJ case against Israel

The biblical story of Amalek was invoked by Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 7 Hamas attack. South Africa says this is evidence of genocidal intent. But who were the Amalekites, and why is this relevant to the ICJ case?
Benjamin Netanyahu wearing suit stands in front of flag of Israel

by: By Siobhan Marin and Andrew West for The Religion and Ethics Report

opinion

How gendered ideas are constraining the debate over decriminalising sex work

One of the reasons that the debate over decriminalisation is so difficult is that sex work challenges the gendered ideas that form our identities and meaning making about acceptable sexual norms.

by: Sarah Wendt

opinion

How to speak of what cannot be spoken? The task of repairing words after the Holocaust

The task for my generation — the last that will know the survivors of the Holocaust personally — is to hold “that, which happened” in our hearts, not simply as an historical event, but as an eternal caution against hate and prejudice.

by: Simon Tedeschi

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Compass

Awe Hunters with Julia Baird - Summer Series

Julia Baird faces down the darkness of her cancer diagnosis and joins fellow seekers of wonder. She discovers that awe has shaped our civilisations, driven people to change their lives and ultimately make them happier.
Julia Baird wearing a wetsuit standing in front of water

Published:

Jewish Singles in the Snow - Summer Series

Jewish singles travel to the Victorian Alps in hope of finding a love that will enable the continuation of their faith and culture. Filmmaker Josh Ben-Moshe discusses the struggles involved in holding onto Jewish identity.
Jewish young male and female sitting outside in the snow smiling wearing ski gear 

Published:

Angels, Demons and Money - Summer Series

Is money the root of all evil? Indira Naidoo is joined by a panel for a thought-provoking discussion on why money has such a hold on us. Can you have too much money? Does money make you happy? How much should you give away?
host and panelists sit on a panel labeled Compass with a red curtain behind

Published:

Turning the Tide - Summer Series

A diverse group of young people learn to sail a Tall Ship. Taken out of their comfort zone, they discover new qualities and skills. The kids find themselves becoming part of a community where everyone plays a vital role.
Group of teenagers sitting on top of a tall ship mast with blue sky back ground

Published:

Listen

Candlemas

'Nunc dimittis', loveliest of musical offerings at life's, or day's end.
Simeon
Duration: 2 hours

Published: Program: For The God Who Sings

Dragons in Chinese tradition — and today

The Chinese dragon has long been associated with the Emperor of China, and by extension China itself.
The head of an imperial dragon
Duration: 54 minutes 6 seconds

Published: Program: Soul Search

Queer vs the state

For a long time there's been an ambivalent relationship between LGBTQ communities and the state.
Protesters carrying signs that say "LIAR" in protest against the US administration's policy on AIDS
Duration: 43 minutes 57 seconds

Published: Program: Philosopher's Zone

Imran Khan convicted of breaking Islamic marriage law, and the ethics of espionage

How President Biden's strong support for Israel could weaken Democratic support among Muslim voters, the ethics of espionage, and Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi convicted of breaking Islamic marriage law.
Illustration of a hand holding a microphone at a yellow circle
Duration: 28 minutes 38 seconds

Published: Program: The Religion and Ethics Report

The ethics of surrogacy

Surrogacy – carrying and giving birth to a baby for someone else – has been around at least since biblical times. But as the industry and fertility science advances, Christians and feminists remain divided on the issue.  
Close-up of woman holding her pregnant stomach
Duration: 54 minutes 10 seconds

Published: Program: God Forbid

Rose Hunter speaks out on traumatic experience in sex industry

Rose Hunter is a sex industry survivor, and she's urging South Australian politicians to rethink their support for full decriminalisation of the trade.
Duration: 15 minutes 23 seconds

Published: Program: The Religion and Ethics Report

How can trust be cultivated in a time of pervasive suspicion?

Because it is sustained by nothing more substantial than a weave of trusted institutions, shared habits and moral commitments, democracies are highly susceptible to the corrosive effects of distrust; Jedediah Purdy joins Waleed and Scott to discuss…
Duration: 53 minutes 48 seconds

Published: Program: The Minefield

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