A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

Theists, and perhaps some atheists too, might thank God for Dr Zain Ali's gracious and insightful comments about God and religion.

I never believed the world would suddenly end, but I liked the idea that it was possible.

Egypt's Islamist-backed constitution received a "yes" majority in a final round of voting on a referendum that saw a low voter turnout.

A Christmas card from the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran wishes us a Merry Christmas. There is nothing unusual about that.

When a mynah bird fell from the sky in front of a startled Katja Wernicke, she wondered if the doomsday predictions might be right.

Whether one is "religious" or not, everyone is a person of faith. If that sounds like a contradiction, the fact is that each one of us has faith, because faith is defined as having belief and trust in someone or something.

Religious faith undoubtedly has the power to inspire, although in many cases it seems to inspire irrational acts of hatred and violence.

Doomsayers believe December 21, 2012, marks the end of an ancient Mayan calendar - and, therefore, the onset of world-ending natural or extraterrestrial catastrophes.

In what her parents hope is a good omen, Scarlett Anne Lowe was born at 12.12pm on December 12, 2012.

I'd like to see church ministers being proactive in curbing violence before it happens. It is good to see church ministers taking a positive step to curb violence.

More than 40 New Zealand religious leaders have taken a joint stand today against violence towards women or children.

The head of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, Archbishop David Moxon, has been appointed to represent the worldwide Anglican movement in Rome.

The first Sikh guardsman to be given permission to wear a turban instead of a bearskin while on duty outside Buckingham Palace is under pressure not to break tradition.

A couple who took their daughter out of a school class based on the Bible were dismayed to find her left alone in a classroom.

Behind the closed doors of the Masonic Lodge.

All Black great Jonah Lomu has become a Mormon - but don't expect to see him don a suit and ride a bike going door-to-door spreading the gospel.

If that change really is needed, then so be it, writes Andrew Geddis. "But I think the Law Society is wrong and the bill as it stands would not require anything new of any religious group."

Child sex abuse scandals prompt recommendation priests reveal information to police.