Latest from Religion and Beliefs

Benedict denies abuse cover-up

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has broken his self-imposed silence with a lengthy letter to a prominent atheist.

Irfan Yusuf: Innocent victims of evil ideology

Over the past week, there have been two devastating terror attacks.

Century-old land dispute to be laid to rest

Parliament will today amend a century-old trust which was set up to convert Maori to Christianity and evangelise to "heathen races'' all over the world.

Worship of money needs to be curbed, Pope

The Pope has claimed that big business' worship of money is causing misery and despair for ordinary people, in one of his strongest attacks yet on the global economic system.

'Go to hell' class stirs dad

An Auckland father who says his daughter was told during religious instruction that she would go to hell is campaigning to have the classes dropped from her state school.

Francis: 'The Church could fall like a house of cards'

Pope Francis has declared himself a "sinner" and said the Catholic Church will "fall like a house of cards" unless it is able to focus more on the "essentials" of preaching the Gospel and less on politics and bureaucracy.

Zain Ali: 'Love thy neighbour' maxim unites Muslims and Christians

Michael Hewat's opinion piece on Islam makes two bold demands.

Judge: You can't testify wearing niqab

Britain's leading Muslim organisation isn't happy with a judge's landmark ruling that women should not give evidence in court while wearing the veil.

Pope poses for 'selfie'

A photo of the Pope posing with young fans at the Vatican has gone viral on social media, with gleeful reports that it was the first ever "Papal selfie".

Church's Cruise wife auditions

A former Scientologist has claimed she was one of several women "auditioned" as a potential wife for the actor and Scientology stalwart Tom Cruise.

Plan to ban Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt's descent into violent chaos entered a new phase yesterday as the military-backed Government suggested it planned to ban the Muslim Brotherhood.

Muslim women rally for election bid

Anjum Rahman is gaining support in her bid to become the first Muslim woman elected to public office in New Zealand.

Church head seeks gay-wedding ban

The head of New Zealand's third-largest church has asked its ministers to consider a temporary ban on gay marriages to preserve the church's "peace and unity".

What it's like to be shunned from the Jehovah's Witnesses

Brad Miller and Cassie Dean speak about their experience on being shunned from the Jehovah's Witnesses. Video / RNZ

Chat replay: Tamaki expert

Church historian and author Peter Lineham is joining us at midday for a chat on his new book <i>Destiny: The Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle</i>.

Big crowd for Pacific mayoral candidate

Auckland mayoral candidate the Rev Uesifili UNasa may be looking for some divine intervention, having launched his campaign at church.