Sami Shah

Jan 10, 2025 | abc.net.au | Sami Shah |Mariam Chehab |Amanda Roberts

The monotheist God is worshipped by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. But who is he? What does he look like? How and why does that view of him change over history? And why has he mostly been assumed to be a "he"? GUESTS:Francesca Stavrakopoulouis a Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter and the author of “God an Anatomy”.

Sep 9, 2024 | patreon.com | Sami Shah

So, apparently, Covid can still kick your ass. I just spent about 10 days reliving 2021, with the wheezing and the coughing and the lack of taste and smell and the fatigue. All of it. Vaxxed to the max, as the kids say these days I'm sure, and so it wasn't as bad as it could be, but still got me good. I did manage to catch up on some reading though, which is nice.

Aug 23, 2024 | abc.net.au | Jack Schmidt |Sami Shah

Every major religion condemns theft as morally unacceptable. Whether it’s the Ten Commandments or the Five Precepts in Buddhism - the instructions are pretty clear: do not take what is not given. We all know that it’s wrong to steal - but where does this moral understanding actually come from? Is it always absolute? And are we often guilty of moral hypocrisy?

Aug 16, 2024 | abc.net.au | Sami Shah |Jack Schmidt |Bec Cushway

Why have human beings — throughout time and across cultures — consistently looked to the heavens to find meaning? Do we all yearn for something greater? And deep down, are we all terrified of death? These are questions which preoccupy David Baddiel — the UK comedian, writer, presenter… and Jewish atheist. He’ll be in Australia in August for a couple of events at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas including a talk about his 2023 book, The God Desire. Atheism, Judaism, Comedy (Humour)

Aug 9, 2024 | abc.net.au | Sami Shah |Jack Schmidt

Do we live in an age of perpetual outrage? Hours after the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, organisers offered an apology to Christians who were offended by an unintentional parody of the Last Supper. We’re all entitled to feel offended and to express criticism of things we don’t like - but what happens when outrage is weaponised for more cynical, even sinister reasons? Are there dangers in the politics of grievance and victimhood?