Latest from Religion and Beliefs

Lucy Lawless: Simple act shows a cultural chasm

'Look at the Earth sitting on top of itself," the Aboriginal man said to me in an Outback mining town, writes Lucy Lawless.

Church defies same-sex marriage decree

Diwali adds spice to celebrations

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is about two weeks away but the celebrations will kick off in Auckland this weekend in a big way.

Archbishop shares his doubts over God

John Watson: Which party would God vote for?

Act leader Jamie Whyte calls the Green Party "not so much a political party as a religious movement, worshipping snails and ferns and all things Gaia".

Church has shaky future

A church whose congregation helped to shape Auckland is facing demolition after failing to meet new earthquake standards.

Archbishop John Dew: Outrage over dirty tricks healthy

The Greek philosopher Aristotle referred to teaching and politics as the "noble professions".

Extradition of Catholic brother to be challenged in court

Families leave Gloriavale community

Former Gloriavale Christian Community members have revealed that hundreds have left since its early days, including several families in the past year or so.

Eric Watson: Redefine holidays and holy days

Eric Watson writes: Are there potentially a large number of Kiwis who feel aggrieved because our "most important" public holidays are Christian holy days?

Vicar quits over same-sex relationships

Outspoken Anglican vicar Michael Hewat walked out of the church yesterday over its recognition of same-sex relationships.

Death sentence to audience with Pope

A Sudanese Christian woman spared a death sentence for apostasy after an international outcry, met Pope Francis in the Vatican today.

Priest on cocaine charge

A Catholic priest has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of dealing drugs at a party.

Michael Hewat: Anglicans mad only if they ignore Bible

Amid the swirl of opinion around the Anglican General Synod's decision to commit to finding a way to bless gay couples.

Pope fears 8000 priests are paedophiles

Pope Francis has said 2 per cent of the Roman Catholic clergy worldwide, the equivalent of 8000 members, are paedophiles.

Religious group set to drill oil well

A company owned by the Gloriavale Christian Community, on the West Coast, expects to drill a new oil well this spring with a rig that has recently arrived from Korea.