The Religion and Ethics Report

Did religious voters decide the shape of the next US congress? 
Professor David Smith takes a close look at races in Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa, where high-profile Democrat Christian pastors cleaned up at the polling booths, overturning an almost 50-year tight relationship between Republican and faith-based voters. 
In Michigan, the state has elected America’s first Muslim senator, while in neighbouring Ohio, a key contest produced the state’s first Jewish governor. 
GUEST:
Professor DAVID SMITH, religion and politics specialist the US Studies Centre, Sydney

Across Europe, far right parties, such as the Alternative for Deutschland, present themselves as the last defenders of Christian civilisation. 
But their attachment to Christianity is tenuous at best. 
Their true inspiration is pagan and ancient Roman, idolising the Emperor Julian, who was no fan of Christ and his followers. 
GUEST:
Professor MATTHEW CRAWFORD is a historian at the Australian Catholic University.

Could religious voters decide the shape of the next US congress? Professor David Smith takes a close look at races in Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa, where high-profile Christian pastors are running as Democrats, seeking to overturn an almost 50-year tight relationship between Republican and faith-based voters. In Michigan, the state could elect America’s first Muslim senator, while in neighbouring Ohio, a key contest will produce the state’s first Hindu or Jewish governor. 
Across Europe, far right parties, such as the Alternative for Deutschland, present themselves as the last defenders of Christian civilisation. But their attachment to Christianity is tenuous at best. Their true inspiration is pagan and ancient Roman, idolising the Emperor Julian, who was no fan of Christ and his followers. 
 GUESTS:
Professor DAVID SMITH, religion and politics specialist the US Studies Centre, Sydney
Professor MATTHEW CRAWFORD is a historian at the Australian Catholic University. 
This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

For almost 50 years, Republicans have relied on evangelical Christians, and more recently, conservative Catholics, to mobilise at elections. 
Democrats have courted more secular voters. 
But in next week’s mid-term elections, seven protestant clergy are running for congress as Democrats.
In the heartland state of Kansas, a Methodist mega-church minister, Adam Hamilton, could make history. 
GUEST:
Sophie Hills is national political correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.

Early Israel election results show it's unlikely a Benjamin Netanyahu led government will return to power. 
But nothing is cast in stone. 
Over the next days and weeks there will be much wrangling behind the scenes to cobble together a new government, possibly led by Gadi Eiesnkot. 
And could "soft Islamists" and Arab parties have a say in a new Knesset?
GUEST:
Dr Ran Porat is a researcher and lecturer at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilization, teaching Modern Middle East and Israel studies at Monash University