The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

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 & Roll to You.

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 People, “YMCA”. And 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.  
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.
GUESTS:
Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency. 
Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.
Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay cathedral.

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 Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency.

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.

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 expert Professor JOSH ROOSE of Deakin University has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.
Pope Leo’s encyclical on the dangers of artificial intelligence includes a red light about the role technology plays in the sexual trafficking of women and children. The International Justice Mission is a faith-based organisation that fights modern slavery. It’s one of several human rights groups meeting in the Vatican this week. BRIONY CAMP is the head of campaigns for IJM Australia.
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.  JOYCE AJLOUNY is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.