Many must have wondered if it was an April Fools joke. Could the ABC really be planning to broadcast an episode of Q&A worth watching? One without a single pompous pundit or partisan politician? Were we really going to discuss topics relevant to here and the hereafter instead of gasbagging about taxes, polls and overseas conflicts?
It certainly was the case. Even the audience composition at this week's Q&A was presented not as ALP or Coalition voters but as Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Atheist.
The great thing about having a discussion about religion without politicians is that so many of our politicians love to preach about Judeo-Christian values. We get told that asylum seekers aren't very Christian, as if Jesus and his mum should have waited in the queue instead of rushing to Egypt illegally to escape Herod.
And why limit ourselves to Judeo-Christian values when the fastest growing faith in Australia is Buddhism? It seems our pollies only embrace religion when they think it gets them votes.
But the members of this week's panel didn't need anyone's votes. They were interested in ideas of faith and love. And what a cryptic bunch they were.
Judaism was represented by Deborah Conway (the atheist lead singer of an '80s rock group), Islam by Dr Mohamad Abdalla (a Brisbane academic sporting a beard and skullcap, perhaps unconsciously representing the rabbis as well), Buddhism by Robina Courtin (an Aussie Tibetan nun), atheism by Josh Thomas (a hipster comedian) and Christianity by Archbishop Mark Coleridge (a Catholic archbishop with no dog collar).
There were some intriguing insights to be gained. Apparently Buddhism is an advanced form of atheism. Courtin said the idea of a creator is superfluous. If anything, we are our own creators. Clearly I didn't do a very good job.
Despite the presence of two atheists, religion dominated the debate, perhaps because the most articulate spokesperson for atheism was herself representing a faith. Conway spoke with real passion and feeling about celebrating Jewish festivals, about Jewish music and about how much she loved Jewish food. I agree with her. Kosher salami beats the halal equivalent hands down.
The high point of Thomas's contribution was when he addressed religion in the public square. He spoke of the Catholic and other Christian churches making 'some pretty odd choices' in the past. He then told viewers how angry it makes him when religious lobbies try and push their values on 'us'.
I too get