If we've learned anything from recent history, it's that people whose own sex lives are unedifying don't necessarily let that stop them damning others' proclivities.

Island drums and sounds from the Pacific will be joined by those from traditional island choirs and church bands at this year's Pasifika Festival.

Sam Clements' article on these pages entitled "Irrelevant churches have no right to dictate what happens in a secular society" belittles the role of religion.

Comic Joan Rivers has come under fire for comments she made about Jews during a segment on her controversial US style show Fashion Police.

Religion has always sought to manipulate and dictate the manner in which individuals live their lives, writes Sam Clements. The Marriage Equality Bill threatens many in the church.

There is a lot of hype surrounding the push for gay marriage in NZ, writes Douglas Pratt. Expectations of a momentous change are high.

No Western government is going to condemn the country's rulers, writes Gwynne Dyer. That would seriously annoy Saudi Arabia, and they will never do that.

We don't need a census to tell us that society is changing rapidly. But perhaps we do to quantify just how rapidly.

The Salvation Army has bought the Destiny Church complex in the Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington and has its 12-storey building in Queen St up for sale.

Jenna Miscavige Hill was a third-generation Church of Scientologist. She escaped the secretive society and told her story to Nicky Park.

Whoever takes the helm of the Vatican after the shock resignation of Benedict XVI will inherit a problem on his own doorstep.

Ex-Scientologist Jenna Miscavige Hill has revealed the harsh reality of growing up in the Church. Read her story here.

The news of the Pope's decision to resign was received by Auckland Catholics with sadness.

A New Zealand bishop who penned speeches and talks for two Popes says Benedict XVI's decision to step down would have been pondered deeply before it was made.

When Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope in 2005, the choice divided Catholics.

Editorial: The papacy is one of precious few institutions in the modern world that does not change very much.

John Key is shocked about the Pope's resignation, describing the move by the 85-year-old as a "brave call".

helps-Roper, the granddaughter of founder Reverend Fred Phelps, was once described as the "future leader" of the church. But she and her 19-year-old sister, Grace, confirmed this week that they had departed the Kansas-based congregation in November.

Scientology has no official doctrine that we are descended from aliens but members of its order do sign billion-year contracts "to symbolise their eternal commitment".

The streets of Port Said were convulsed by gun battles as groups of civilians, some using Kalashnikov machineguns, launched attacks on police stations and an army club.

Egypt used to be a place where you never gave a second thought to personal safety, writes Anne Penkith. Egyptians are hospitable, charming and honest - on the whole.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says homosexuality is a choice and society is right to discriminate against gay relationships.

Your formative years were spent at St Patrick's College in Silverstream. What has Catholicism ingrained in you?