Latest from Religion and Beliefs

Father, let's go for a spin

Pope Francis has broken protocol to invite an old friend up for a ride on his popemobile in St Peter's Square.

Samoa time shift creates Sabbath rift

Divine intervention may be needed to help resolve a dilemma that has been brewing in Samoa - exactly which day is the Sabbath.

Paul Little: Pinko Pope riles the wealthy

You may not have heard of Ken Langone - I hadn't until recently when he decided to take on Pope Francis.

Is religious faith linked to the shape of our brains?

Annual dinner at Dunedin church marks 'end of an era'

Pope warns against 'pride, deceit'

Pope Francis lauded Jesus' humble beginning as a poor and vulnerable baby, marking Christmas in St Peter's Basilica.

Church leaders' message: Christmas presence

Final decision on ex-Catholic brother's extradition reserved

Diner puts some joy on bottom of his bills

The US$111.05 ($134) New York restaurant receipt includes a US$1000 tip and the words "god bless!" scrawled across it.

From Destiny, but not with love

Negative posts from a Destiny Church pastor about defector Richard Lewis have been shared online by Bishop Brian Tamaki.

A devil walks into a bar ...

The new boss of a restaurant that has sent five owners broke in three years wants an exorcist to check the property for evil spirits.

Split at top of Destiny Church

Bishop Brian Tamaki's right-hand man has turned his back on Destiny Church to become a pastor - the latest of several high-profile departures.

'Comrade Bala' accused of slavery

Shortly after a police raid to close down his revolutionary political party in 1978, Aravindan Balakrishnan began disciplinary proceedings against three leadership rivals within the commune.

Pope issues mission statement for papacy

Pope Francis issued the mission statement for his papacy, outlining how the Catholic Church and the papacy itself must be reformed.

Shrine discovery pushes back Buddha's birth date

The discovery of a 2,600-year-old simple wooden shrine in Nepal has made archeologists rethink Buddha's birth date.

Hanging garden marvel may not be Babylon's

A British academic believes she has identified from ancient texts the actual site of the elusive Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Tamaki's kin get $10k to feed poor

The son-in-law of Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship to help feed the needy.

Tamakis put aside rift over sexuality

A controversial church leader and critic of homosexuality has made peace with a prominent transgender adversary as she battles kidney disease.