Could President Joe Biden's strong support for Israel weaken Democratic support among US Muslims?

Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, have been convicted of violating Islamic law. The couple allegedly married too soon after her divorce.

The business of espionage certainly involves a multitude of sins: deception, blackmail, betrayal, and even murder. So can there be an ethical form of espionage?

Rose Hunter is a sex industry survivor, and she's urging South Australian politicians to rethink their support for full decriminalisation of the trade.

How Beijing is allegedly using a popular folk religion to spread its influence in Taiwan.

On the site of a destroyed mosque, India's Narendra Modi opened a huge temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Ram. Is this a curtain-raiser to the national elections later this year?

South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel rejects. In its argument, South Africa points to a violent story in the Hebrew Bible, which has been used by Netanyahu.

Just how adept has Francis become at balancing the interests of the left and the right in the church?

To those who encountered him, Father Patrick Ryan seemed like a typical village priest in Northern Ireland. But he lived a top secret life, because for almost 20 years, Ryan was a spy for the Irish Republican Army.

British writer Mick Brown recalls the west's search for enlightenment in the 1960s and 70s, looking to the gurus and philosophies of eastern religions.

Is it homage or insensitivity to wear clothing, play music, or display symbols from a culture that isn't your own? And what about questions of appreciation, and appropriation, when it comes to religion?

Isabel Kershner from The New York Times explores Israel's cultural and religious shifts, which she fears challenges the country's democratic ideals.

Sociologist John Carroll takes us on a journey through politics, history and, especially, popular culture in search of the new redeemers in the secular west.

After WWII, how did a group of mainly Jewish intellectuals, come to believe their mission was to uphold certain Christian ideals? But historian Samuel Moyn explains how the good ideas of this group, known as the ‘Cold War liberals,’ turned grievously awry.

Africa is the new powerhouse of Christianity and, for the vast number of Australians with African background, religion is "central to most aspects of their lives." That’s the key finding of a new report into the community.

In what can feel like a starkly divided world, is there an alternative to a heartless free market economics, authoritarian populism, and a liberalism that seems to say "if it feels good, do it?" British MP Danny Kruger thinks he’s found another way.

Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders has historically had an anti-Islam and anti-immigration stance. And after last week's elections, he's closer to power than ever. Also, Catholicism in the Polish elections.

To charge someone under a legal code that deals with war crimes and crimes against humanity suggests an offence requiring the toughest punishment. But what if the offence was tweeting a quote from the Bible? With Finnish parliament member Paivi Rasanen.

An Australian property developer has attempted to occupy a prized piece of land in the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem. Though it was overturned, Armenian families are threatened with eviction from homes their community has held for centuries. 

The Gaza war is proving uncomfortable for centre-left parties in Europe. Across the continent, progressives find themselves conflicted over their historic support for Israel, and their more recent sympathies for the occupied Palestinians. 

At the time of the Kennedy assassination six decades ago, the Secret Service warned Fr Oscar Huber not to breath a word about what he’d seen. But did he follow their orders?

In the fog of two wars —  in Gaza, and Ukraine — has the world lost sight of the humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar? Over 1.6 million Rohingya Muslims have been forced from their country.

Clouded by the news of war, and a papal cone of silence, a major summit on power within the Catholic Church wrestled with some divisive questions. There was a lot of tension in the room, much of it unreported until now. 

Why a US professor is calling for compulsory ethics to be taught in higher education, in the wake of the Gaza war.

Father Patrick Ryan was the embodiment of a kind village priest in Northern Ireland. But he lived a top secret life, because for almost 20 years, he worked undercover as a spy for the Irish Republican Army.

The Israel-Hamas war is also having an effect in South Asia, one that could trigger another generation of terrorism. Islamic extremist groups are using Gaza's heavy death toll to recruit young men. 

This week, 3,400 children have been killed and another 6,300 injured in Gaza. Tragically as well, there's the long-term impacts of war on children in Gaza, and also Israel.

Along with the drug culture of the 1960s and 70s, there was also a serious search for enlightenment. Many people looked to the gurus and philosophies of eastern religions. And musicians such as The Beatles were particularly inspired.

Christians at the grassroots seem to have heeded the Pope's recent message on climate change. They're environmentally aware, and increasingly active on the issue.

In a dramatic development in the Gaza conflict, the Catholic leader in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has offered to exchange himself for the Israeli children that Hamas is holding hostage.

The borderland of Israel and Lebanon, the so-called 'Blue Line,' could become the most dangerous flashpoint in the latest Middle East war. The area is controlled by the Hezbollah movement, which Israel is also threatening to wipe out.

In the religious Spanish city of Seville, the government is cracking down on partygoers — particularly tourists who don raunchy headgear, and even strip down to their underwear. 

The cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine raises the question of how far Israel can go to eliminate Hamas. There's international law, and one of its purposes is to reduce civilian causalities. 

Western Sydney is Australia’s most religiously and ethnically diverse region. Of the 13 seats in the region, the average "No" vote was 62%. What accounts for this result in the country’s multicultural heartland? 

Oxford scholar Maryam Aslany calls Iran a neo-colonialist regime exporting its unique brand of harsh Shia Islam to the region. And she says the recent UN speech by Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi reveals the bigger plan. 

After the terror attack by Hamas, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he will eliminate Hamas, and remake the Middle East. But how, and what will that look like?

As the war between Hamas and Israel ignited on the weekend, Pope Francis was leading over 400 delegates in his landmark synod to reshape power within the Catholic church. But it's not just the war that has overshadowed the synod.

Mobs in Pakistan have been using the country’s strict blasphemy laws to justify acts of violence in churches and homes. But fellow Muslims are also targeted, and the alleged blasphemy is often a cover for other motives.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on, an agitated Vladimir Putin appears to be resorting to anti-Semitism as part of his propaganda campaign.

In an Australian first, Notre Dame University has introduced a compulsory unit for its business students, dealing with the increasing risk of modern slavery.

Thousands of Armenians are fleeing the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh after troops from Azerbaijan sealed control of the territory. How vulnerable is the situation of those who remain in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Next month's Vatican summit has the dullest of names – the Synod on Synodality – but it could lead the biggest shake-up of power in the church for centuries. What should we expect from this huge gathering?

Since the end of World War II, liberalism or a variation of the theme, has been the dominant political system of western developed countries. But is liberalism always the natural partner of democracy? And does liberalism today have an elitist tinge?

An large survey finds that young Catholic women are significantly more conservative than older generations.

Despite multiple scandals, politicians – Liberal and Labor – speak reverently about corporate bosses. But, according to the latest ethics index, Australians aren't buying it.

As Malaysia celebrates 60 years of independence this month, there's growing pressure to reboot Malaysia as a fully Islamic society.

The Unification Church in Japan is at risk of being dissolved. The government is investigating allegedly predatory financial schemes and shadowy links with politicians.

Israel is tearing itself apart with mass demonstrations, threats of army desertion, even warnings from the president of civil war. So what do Australian Jews think of Israel?

For centuries, some Christian communities have shut themselves off from the outside world. But the Exclusive Brethren sect are especially strict about contact with outsiders.

What's different about today's anti-racism movement, compared with that of the civil rights era? We hear from Black American scholar Tyler Austin Harper.

Leading research group the Pew Centre, has done a deep dive into all religion in China.

The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party was an austere movement on the edge of politics. But now it's leading a coalition that did very well in recent state elections. It’s also using images from Islam’s glorious past to build its popularity.

Kristy Nabhan-Warren of the University of Iowa discusses her fascinating book  about the vibrant religious life in, of all places, America’s abattoirs and meatworks.  Kristy Nabhan-Warren of the University of Iowa discusses her fascinating book about the vibrant religious life in, of all places, America’s abattoirs and meatworks. 

Pope Francis flies into Mongolia this week for his 43rd foreign visit since taking office in 2023. Why is he going?

According to documents turned over to the US House of Representatives, agents from the FBI have been monitoring traditionalist Catholics for possible political extremism.

In the 1970s, sociologist and religious scholar Robert Bellah  predicted neoliberal economics would create a hole in many communities that would one day be filled by an authoritarian populism. Bellah also made famous the idea that as America lost its Christianity, it would create a so-called civil religion.

Twenty-two million people are now in dire need in Myanmar following the 2021 coup. The southern African country of Zambia is in a similar situation. They are among the countries where the aid organisation Compassion Australia is starting new projects.

When the hardline Islamic movement regained control of Afghanistan two years ago, there was a lot of talk about a reformed Taliban, conservative but less punitive, open to things like girl's education. That future was not to be. But religion might not be the highest priority for the Taliban regime with the possible dangerous new form of ethnic nationalism driving the regime.

There is an increase in harassment of Christian pilgrims and tourists in Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa, the path said to be where Jesus walked to his Crucifixion.

New York Times correspondent Isabel Kershner's new book explores the cultural and religious shifts which she fears challenge Israel's democratic ideals. 

About 40 per cent of Americans are in religiously diverse partnerships. Despite herself being in a successful inter-racial and inter-faith marriage, leading writer and commentator Naomi Schaefer Riley says there are pitfalls, particularly with interfaith romances. 

The Sound of Freedom has become an unlikely movie hit in the US, but there are concerns about its representations of the issue of child trafficking as well as its main star's connection to radical QAnon conspiracies.

US report claims minority religions target of new restrictive laws and policies in Europe

The largest protestant denomination in America is expelling churches that have ordained women.

Young voters in Europe are defying trends in the UK, Australia, and the US by drifting towards the nationalist right. For example, young voters are a major component of the Meloni government in Italy, Le Pen coalition in France, the nationalists in Scandinavia and the resurgent right in Greece.

New migrant groups are being pushed into outer suburbs in our major cities.

Prominent intellectual Ian Buruma explores the religious doctrines behind wokeness.

The Hollywood blockbuster Barbie release was delayed in Pakistan's largest Province.  It was eventually released with some dialogue cut.

Could the continuing cover-ups of sex scandals and annual church taxes be behind the alarming number of Catholic Germans leaving the church?

It started as a simple parade, a celebration of the Indian diaspora in the US in a middle-class suburb.

It’s been an uncomfortable few days in the Senate for the multi-millionaire partners at Australia’s major consulting firms. The scrutiny began after revelations that PwC Consulting had used its contracts with the Federal government to acquire confidential tax information, then pass it onto corporate clients.

For some Amish, shunning even basic electricity and plumbing is part of a religious commitment to simplicity. Now a top US court has upheld their right not to install septic tanks on their land, despite a local government law. 

Self ID would allow transgender people to officially change their gender on government documents. 

What if the UN had its own permanent peace-keeping army that could step in before the bloodshed has begun?

What are the ethics of the US agreeing to supply Ukraine with cluster bomb munitions, which are banned by 123 countries because of the danger to civilians?

The challenges of navigating the fraught terrain of ethical healthcare and funding.  

With a national spotlight on anti-corruption, what does it mean for the transactional nature of politics today?  

The Good Shepherd Sisters in Melbourne has been running a financial support program for 40 years, but the demand today is especially great.

Türkiye's Erdogan is beginning his third term after a narrow re-election last month. While he's playing peacemaker in Ukraine, at home he grows more autocratic.

Are the vicars of England about to walk out of their pulpits and onto the picket line? It's the first time in history that the clergy are demanding a pay rise. 

Buried deep inside key Russian security documents is the doctrine of so-called "spiritual security." It argues that Russia needs to defend not just territory, but also against moral values from the west.

An increasingly common practice in India is the so-called dowry – the valuables a woman’s family must provide to her husband when they marry. But dowries are also behind a rising tide of violence against wives whose parents struggle to meet constant demands for money.

Modern slavery is a global crisis entrapping 50 million people, including 41,000 in Australia. Human rights commissioner Lorraine Finlay is calling on the federal government to do more to combat modern slavery,

Kenyan woman Sophie Otiende was taken from her family at just thirteen, put to work and denied the education promised by her uncle. She now runs a fund to combat modern slavery globally.

Pope Francis is currently fighting on three fronts – recovering from serious surgery, bringing peace to the war on Ukraine, and calming the bitterness and vitriol that consumes social media.

Almost 1,200 Australians received honours in the first ever King's Birthday list. Most recipients are involved in community service, thinking of more than themselves. But does our political and economic system foster enough of that spirit?

Two Christian conservatives – Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence – have entered the Republican primary. But can they draw religious voters away from Trump?

Two Christian conservatives – Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence – have entered the Republican primary. But can they draw religious voters away from Trump?

Religious sermons are supposed to come from a combination of the head and the heart, from a preacher steeped in the knowledge of their religious text. But to what extent could chatbots take over the job?

Progressive British magazine The New Statesman, has unveiled its annual list of the 50 most influential lefties. And coming in at number 27, is none other than the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Why did this oil executive-turned Church of England bishop make the list?

Even in a rapidly secularising Australia, it's a minority that totally reject the idea of a divine presence or saviour. So what replaces the God of the Bible in this search for a new redeemer?

Around the world, there’s a vast population known as internally displaced people, forced by disaster or conflict to move within their countries. In 2022, that number hit a record high, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The back-channel negotiations that could lead to a breakthrough in the Vatican's peace plans for Ukriane and Russia

Just how authentic is the local affection for Modi?

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church says it has broken all ties with the mother church in Russia.

Jewish Israeli Rami Elhanan and Palestinian Bassam Aramin both lost innocent daughters in the Israel-Palestine violence. But in their grief, they have become close friends, on a pursuit for peace.

What do Australians really think about religious liberty, especially the hiring practices of faith-based schools, hospitals and welfare organisations? A new poll reveals interesting results.

The ACT government will legislate to forcibly acquire the Catholic-run Calvary Public Hospital in Canberra. The decision raises questions about the independence of faith-based institutions and whether they can operate according to their values.

PM Anthony Albanese is part of a growing group of Australians calling themselves non-practising or cultural Catholics. Why does Catholicism have a strong cultural grip on Australia, even as religious observance falls?

Do we need religion to be moral? The Pew Research Centre surveyed 22,000 people across 17 countries, and got some very interesting responses – including from Australia.

Türkiye’s ruling AKP party, led by President Erdoğan, has been trying to frame the election as a contest between Sunni Islam and western liberalism. Erdoğan has even been calling his opponents 'social deviants.' But is it working? 

Activist Simon Woolley is a close friend of the King. He’s also the first Black man to head a Cambridge college. He forged a friendship when Charles was Prince of Wales, at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.  

For all the pomp and statecraft, the coronation is essentially a religious event, and traditionally Anglican. But how will this coronation reflect a modern, and religiously diverse, Britain?

How has the King’s commitment to religious diversity shaped attitudes towards the monarchy among non-Christian communities? 

Have you hiked the Camino trail in Spain? Some of you may even tinker with a little Zen decor at home. But are these acts of curiosity, taste, or are they appropriating something deeply religious? 

Myanmar's Buddhist monks are divided over whether to voice their support or opposition to the military dictatorship. 

A split among Ethiopia's Orthodox leaders could threaten peace in the war-torn nation.

British politics is no longer the exclusive domain of an Anglo-Christian elite. Does this shift indicate that British multiculturalism is flourishing?

As Northern Ireland celebrates 25 years of the Good Friday peace agreement, Israel and Palestine plunge deeper into violence.

We live in a part of the world that Harvard biologist Joseph Henrich calls W.E.I.R.D. —nations that are Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic. And he says part of the reason for their prosperity is a 600-year-old Catholic rule.

According to a recent survey, 45% of Americans say the US should be a Christian nation. There's differing views on what that means, but some Republican politicians now call themselves "Christian nationalists." This includes far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. We explore why this is a troubling trend.

Soon after settling in Brisbane, Hindu community leader Prakruthi Gururaj met two inspiration Indigenous elders. They became friends but, in a way also sisters, with a lot to share.

How has race shaped US religion and politics? "Christian nationalism" has taken hold in the country, especially among white evangelicals. And the country's largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, is facing its own reckoning over racial issues.

A landmark book makes the case for why the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a profoundly spiritual document.

During the covid pandemic, hatred and conspiracy theories festered online. Many Australian Muslims bore the brunt of covid-inspired abuse, a new report on Islamophobia finds.

Is Israel really on the brink of a civil war? President Isaac Herzog thinks so, using those very words recently, talking about the huge anti-government protests that have gripped Israel.

At this time of the year, supermarket shelves are groaning with Easter chocolates. But there's a troubling story behind these popular products. Child exploitation is a huge problem in the cocoa industry – cocoa being the main ingredient in chocolate. 

Thirty neo-Nazis stood on the steps of Victoria's parliament house over the weekend, giving the "Heil Hitler" salute. Their behaviour has shocked the Andrews government into legislating a ban on the symbol. But will a law overcome a wider, even growing, ignorance of Nazism and its monstrous history? 

20 years ago this week, the United States military began a so-called "shock and awe" campaign against Iraq, bombing the capital Baghdad. 44 days later, then president George W. Bush proclaimed "mission accomplished." But what really happened to Iraq and its people after the US-led invasion, and to the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious population?

For 30 years, the United States has seen a steep increase in deaths from suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse. Over the same period, there’s been a major decline in religious participation. New research from three leading US economists suggests the two trends could be linked.

A piece of troubling data reveals that around 400,000 Australian women aged 45 and over are at risk of homelessness. Danusia Kaska of the Xavier Social Justice Network warns of a social crisis.

The Scottish National Party is in the throes of a divisive leadership election. A leading candidate, Kate Forbes, is a member of the conservative Free Church of Scotland and has traditional views on sexual and gender identity. There's been a backlash against Forbes for her views. What could this mean for the role of personal faith in politics?

What do Catholic women want? Pope Francis opened the floodgates when he invited submissions to the Synod of Bishops to address major issues facing the church. Now, the women have spoken. Over 17,000 women, in fact, from 104 countries. It's the largest survey of Catholic women ever undertaken.

What is the "care economy" – and how does it stand in the way of women's equality? 

In the discussion around global warming, of course you’ll hear a lot from the scientists, and even the economists. But what about the voices of religious leaders and ethicists?

In the US, at least one Republican politician is challenging Donald Trump for the party's nominee at the 2024 presidential election. Nikki Haley is of Indian heritage but it's her religious background that's captured attention.

If the next two years of American politics promises to be as divisive as ever, one group of Americans is trying to create a more civil and constructive environment – by not trying to bury all political difference, and to disagree with more respect. 

What happens when Christianity and celebrity collide? Recent stories of narcissistic behaviour and extramarital affairs have cast doubt on whether there’s enough accountability for celebrity megachurch pastors. 

How can tech companies deploy AI technology ethically? It's a question the Vatican is attempting to answer with its Rome Call for AI Ethics, first signed between the Vatican, tech companies and the UN in 2020. This year, Jewish and Muslim representatives also signed onto the agreement. 

More earthquakes have struck the Türkiye Syria border region, causing further casualties and leaving hundreds wounded in both countries. The weeks of disaster have affected usual religious requirements for burial in the Muslim-majority country.

India's major film industry Bollywood is not just hugely popular, it's also very influential on politics and culture. With the rise of Hindu nationalism continuing largely unchecked, hardline protesters are now demanding the film industry join the campaign. And that means Indian Muslims are portrayed in ever more negative ways. With Professor Ira Bhaskar.

There are laws to protect human rights during war, but do they actually create wars without end? Yale law professor Samuel Moyn has written a book on the subject.

Sister Nathalie Becquart is Undersecretary to the Synod of Bishops, making her the most senior female in the Vatican. She's often the only woman in the room when some of the biggest decisions are being made about the future of the global Catholic church.  

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has told British MPs he would rather see the Church of England disestablished, rather than see the church split over disagreements over conducting same-sex weddings. That's according to multiple reports.

Malta was one of the first countries in the world to outlaw gay conversion practices. So what happens when a young man goes on a popular TV show, then a radio show, and shares his experience of being no longer gay because he found God? That's the story of Matthew Grech, whose case has been brought to court.

The spiral of violence worsens in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Could this be the start of a third intifada?

One of America’s oldest universities is mired in a debate over Islamic art. Hamline University in Minnesota terminated the contract of an adjunct lecturer who displayed two reverent artworks of the Prophet Muhammad.  This episode raises questions over academic freedom and whether images of the prophet can ever be shown.

Australian Sikhs, along with millions of others around the world, will vote this Friday in a referendum to establish a separate Sikh state in India. Sikhs have faced increasing discrimination in India, especially with the growth of Hindu nationalism.

If Francis is facing another round of destabilisation from his right-wing critics, how likely is the church to survive?

In the days after his death, it was revealed that Australia’s Cardinal George Pell was the author of a searing critique of Pope Francis and his relatively liberal leadership. Writing under the pseudonym Demos, the late conservative cleric branded this papacy a "disaster" and a "catastrophe." So what motivated these claims? 

Has the sexual revolution that began in the early 1960s had unintended – and possibly damaging – consequences?

Cardinal Pell’s sudden death has been met with mixed responses by the public, including an outpouring of anger, disturbance, and sorrow from survivors and survivor groups.  How much reform has the Catholic church in Australia made on the issue of sexual abuse?

A new phase in the Catholic Church is taking place in 2023 – with two powerful conservative figures passing away within weeks – Cardinal George Pell and former Pope Benedict. So what does this mean for the future of the Catholic Church?

Danny Casey first worked with the Cardinal as business manager of the Archdiocese of Sydney, then as Director of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican. So how effective was Cardinal Pell's work in Vatican finances?

The fear of Black Consciousness is, in part, what Afro-Jewish philosopher Lewis Gordon means when we continually fail to deal with the legacy of our history, and address questions like the place for guilt.

We explore the question of forgiveness — including one of the most pressing — is it ever possible for a Ukrainian to forgive Vladimir Putin? And what does it take to break the cycle of vengeance and resentment?

Pentecostal Christianity is in a three-way race with Islam and Hinduism to become the world's fastest growing religion. In the English-speaking world, one of its biggest names is the Hillsong church. In the past year it's hit turbulence with the departure of its charismatic, and at times controversial, founder Brian Houston.

2022 has been a year of political change in Australia, war in Europe, and a pandemic that isn’t going away. But can we see in this time of turmoil, the opportunity for religious themes like redemption and renewal? A panel discussion with Dr Kate Harrison Brennan and barrister Gray Connolly.

A spat has broken out between Indonesia and the United Nations after the parliament in the world’s biggest Muslim nation passed a new criminal code that includes tougher laws against sex outside of marriage. But for many Indonesians, the new code simply upholds Pancasila, the founding ideology of post-colonial Indonesia.

The COVID-19 pandemic licensed governments around the world to exercise unprecedented levels of control over their citizens. The debate continues as to how useful, or damaging, the lockdowns were. New findings by Pew Research reveal how faith communities globally were affected by the restrictions.

The 6th of May 2023 is when Charles III is crowned. The coronation is the big event – both a pageant and a deeply religious ceremony. It's been 70 years since there's been a coronation, and Britain looks vastly different today. Will the coronation reflect a modern Britain with diverse beliefs?

You’ve probably seen the protests roiling China. Tens of thousands are in the streets and on campuses, fed up that almost three years on from the COVID-19 outbreak, the regime still enforces lockdowns on the people. A fire in an apartment building killed 10 people who were unable to flee because of restrictions. But the protests also carry another message for leader Xi Jinping.

Founder of the Hillsong megachurch, Brian Houston, faces court in Sydney this week. But whatever the outcome of the trial, the Hillsong empire is in turmoil, after controversies involving church figures in the US.

Have you hiked the Camino trail in Spain? Many of you regularly roll out the yoga mat. Some of you may even tinker with a little Zen decor at home. But are these acts of curiosity, taste, or are they appropriating a something deeply religious? 

If you’re a doctor opposed to euthanasia or a nurse with qualms about late-term abortion, should you have the right to opt out of such procedures, even when they’re entrenched in law? Australian ethicist Dr Xavier Symons wades into this debate in his new book, Why Conscience Matters: A Defence of Conscientious Objection Healthcare.

American Catholics have a new leader.  Archbishop Timothy Broglio, chief chaplain to the US defence forces, is the next president of the national bishops conference. He’s a conservative who could find himself caught up in the next US election and out of step with Pope Francis. In the 1990s, he also worked in the Vatican, for a cardinal accused of protecting an abusive priest. Joshua McElwee from the independent newspaper, The National Catholic Reporter, explains this tense situation. More Information Presenter: Andrew West Producer: Hong Jiang Sound Engineer: Russell Stapleton

American Catholics have a new leader. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, chief chaplain to the US defence forces, is the next president of the national bishops conference. He’s a conservative who could find himself caught up in the next US election and out of step with Pope Francis. In the 1990s, he also worked in the Vatican, for a cardinal accused of protecting an abusive priest. Joshua McElwee from the independent newspaper, The National Catholic Reporter, explains this tense situation.

The big news in US politics is that the Democrats retained control of the senate in the mid-term elections. One of the lesser known but fascinating stories was the success of American Muslim candidates— who have in fact, made historic gains. 

Qatar has reportedly spent $US230 billion on the FIFA World Cup, including building new stadiums and public transport. And it's that infrastructure, and the migrant workforce that built it, which attracts controversy. For decades, Qatar used a system of bonded labour that exploited and abused workers from Asia.

Israel's president has officially asked Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government. Netanyahu will rely on his traditional allies in the orthodox religious parties but also on a far-right parliamentary group called the Religious Zionists. And that's where it gets controversial because this party embraces ethnic nationalism and anti-Arab rhetoric.

Since the world’s richest man Elon Musk bought the social network Twitter, he's halved the number of staff, especially those responsible for monitoring content. There are calls for more regulation, particularly over social media's dark side, including from ANU Professor Shirley Leitch.

Australia has signed an agreement with Thailand to fight human trafficking. But with 50 million people around the world falling prey to modern slavery, do we need dozens more bilateral agreements to ensure Australian companies do not use, deliberately or accidentally, exploited labour? With NSW's anti-slavery commissioner Dr James Cockayne.

India's major film industry Bollywood is not just hugely popular, it's also very influential on politics and culture. With the rise of Hindu nationalism continuing largely unchecked, hardline protesters are now demanding the film industry join the campaign. And that means Indian Muslims are portrayed in ever more negative ways. With Professor Ira Bhaskar.

Americans vote in mid-term elections next week and, according to a survey done by the Pew Research Centre, 45% of Americans say the U.S. should be a Christian nation. There's differing views on what that means, but some Republican politicians now call themselves "Christian nationalists." This trend is deeply troubling for Professor Paul D. Miller. 

Over 6 million people are trapped in the global sex trafficking trade – almost 5 million of them are women and girls. Australia is not immune to this. This week, Nine media reported that crime bosses are using loopholes in Australia’s immigration system to run a prostitution ring involving possibly hundreds of vulnerable migrant women. We hear from Kathy Chambers of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Australia.

Israel holds national elections next week — the 5th in just over three years. As Irris Makler reports from Jerusalem, the big change in this election is the popularity of a far-right Jewish religious party.

An employment tribunal in the United States is set to rule on whether the City of New York should pay for commercial surrogacy to allow same-sex couples to have children.  The case has reopened a debate about the ethical minefield of surrogacy.  We hear from Charles Camosy, a leading ethicist and professor of medical humanities at Creighton University.

History is being made in Britain this week with the appointment of Rishi Sunak as prime minister. Not only is he the first person of colour to assume the job, he’s also the first non-Christian. What does his rise say about a multi-faith and multicultural Britain? And what's its significance for the South Asian diaspora? Professor Gurharpal Singh of London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies and Dr Edward Anderson of Northumbria University explain.

Anglicans in Melbourne recently voted to step up Christian engagement with science, especially on the pressing issues of transhumanism and artificial intelligence. The Archbishop of Melbourne has also appointed a special advisor for science and faith education.

An investigation by the UN and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, accuses Russia of gross human rights abuses targeting Ukrainians between 4 to 82 years old.

The Albanese government made a decision to reverse the previous government's position recognising West Jerusalem as Israel's capital. So, what are the implications?

A nation wide survey of church attendees has some surprising findings; on average, women make up 60 per cent of churches – even though 80 per cent of congregations are male-led. Attendees are also more culturally diverse, about half are first or second-generation migrants.  

Protests have convulsed Iran for three weeks and counting, following the death in police custody of young Kurdish woman Masha Amini. It's compulsory for women in Iran to cover their heads, but these protests are about much more than headscarf rules.

In Australia, the debate over religious discrimination has flared again. Does Andrew Thorburn have a legal case after Essendon told him to choose between the club and the church?

Now here's a question you might not expect in an increasingly secular west — is the social justice movement becoming another form of religion? With British writer Helen Lewis.

Businessman Andrew Thorburn has quit as CEO of the Essendon football club, less than 30 hours into the job. Thorburn says he had to choose between a prestigious role in Australian sport or an honorary position in his church. There's many issues to unpack in this case. 

This year, the politics of France, Sweden and Italy have all been swept up in the tide of right-wing nationalism across Europe. When, or even will, this tide peak?

The recent death in custody of young woman Mahsa Amini, for wearing her headscarf in a way that showed too much hair, has thrust Iran back a generation. Since a controversial election brought President Ebrahim Raisi to power a year ago, social progress has stalled. 

Australia has 20 percent of the world's poker machines and half of those are in just one state – New South Wales. Two leading clergy have begun a campaign to introduce tighter restrictions on an industry they describe as parasitic, taking money from the poor.

Kenya's new president William Ruto is the country's first evangelical Christian to become head of state. How does faith play a role in his politics?

How does religion play into the politics of the far-right in Italy? The party that's leading in the polls is the 'Brothers of Italy,' and its origins lie in a post-war neo-fascist movement. Their leader is Giorgia Meloni.

Charles believes nature and the environment are the best expressions of God and religion. And to the extent that any monarch is allowed to have a political worldview, this is his. But now as King, he must also deal with the violent history of Britain's imperial era. 

For a woman who pledged at her coronation to uphold the Protestant religion, the Queen spent a lot time trying to overcome a division that went back centuries — the one with the Catholic Church. Two of the most historic efforts came late in her reign.

In his first speech as monarch, Charles III went out of his way to emphasise his loyalty to the Church of England. But why does the man who is the so-called Defender of the Faith need to reassure people?

One of the late Queen's chaplains remembers a sincerely religious monarch, and wonders if the new King Charles can resist the secular tide that is sweeping Europe.  

Has the sexual revolution that began in the early 1960s had unintended – and possibly damaging – consequences?

According to a new paper published in The Journal of Sex Research, those with strong religious beliefs have more satisfying sex lives. And married religious women are especially happy.

For months, there have been rumours out of the Vatican that Pope Francis is getting ready to retire. So there's interest around the Pope has naming 20 new cardinals, who will one day choose his successor. They're also the most diverse group ever appointed.

With high unemployment and persistent poverty, Timor Leste is especially vulnerable to human and sex traffickers.

The Black Sea isn't just an area of geostrategic importance for Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. For centuries it's also been the focus of religious, ethnic and cultural competition.

Amartya Sen is one of the great minds of the past century. And he has searched around in his life, for what he sees as a place to belong.

In the past five to six years, there's been a 300% increase in the rates of right wing political extremism throughout the world.

The death of Daria Dugina in a car bombing in Moscow recently has shone a spotlight on her father Alexander Dugin. So who is he, and why has he been described as 'Putin's brain'?

How can we begin a conversation about race? It can be awkward, confronting for white people, and for people of colour, it can be traumatic.

What exactly, is a fatwa, and how does the one issued against author Salman Rushdie work? 

A breakaway Australian diocese of the Anglican Church has been announced. It will exist as an entity separate to the global Anglican communion, which has the Archbishop of Canterbury as its leader.

Competing identities play a key role in many of the conflicts in our world. With all of our differences, is there any way we can live in peace together? With renowned philosopher Charles Taylor.

Since March, over 46,000 people in El Salvador have been arrested over alleged gang connections. Over 60 people have died in custody and children as young as twelve have been detained. President Nayib Bukele has used spiritual language to frame his policies.

The stand-off over Taiwan raises ethical questions over what it means to adopt a strategy of ambiguity. The US, like Australia, recognises one China, but there is enough wriggle room built in for all sides to avoid conflict. But what happens when that ethical ambiguity fails, and are we seeing that now?

In a world of contested beliefs, rights, and identities, renowned philosopher Charles Taylor ponders over these important questions: what binds us, and how can we live well together?

Australians will vote, in a referendum, on a constitutional Voice for Indigenous people. Critical to this is the place of First Nations people in our country, and sovereignty never ceded — that was the message from the Uluru Statement from the Heart which kickstarted this process.

Al Qaeda mastermind and former deputy to Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed in a US drone strike. Another leader is gone, but the terrorist group still persists.

At the end of the Cold War, Political Scientist Francis Fukuyama declared the end of history — liberalism and democracy, he said, had triumphed over communism. Fast forward: how does that look today?

Mawunyo Gbogbo has penned the recent memoir "Hip hop and hymns" which tells of her life growing up in small town Australia, wrestling with her African and Christian identity.  

While the world is focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mass violence is shaking the African nation of Ethiopia, a country largely divided along ethnic lines. How are religious divisions playing into the conflict?

How is religion playing into the killing of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe?

At last week's National NAIDOC awards, Stanley Grant Snr recently received the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award, for his efforts on saving the Wiradjuri language. Stan Grant caught up with his father, and asked him about the importance of language to First Nations people.

Media headlines have represented the Catholic Church as polarised over the issue of women's recognition in the church. Does that adequately represent what those within the church may feel? And what does the future for female deacons look like in Australia?  

U.S. President Joe Biden will sit down with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman later this week. Questions of human rights are front and centre — but so is the question of Saudi Arabia's influence on Islam around the world, particularly Wahhabism, which has fuelled a lot of radical insurgencies of Islam.

President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country after protests and an ongoing economic crisis. What does this mean for the country which has been riven by ethnic and religious division, but is now coming together with a voice of anger?

Tensions emerged during this weeks' national Plenary Council as bishops overruled  the people's votes. At one point the bishops rejected  women-in-leadership motions, including ordination to diaconate. Women’s leadership was only one contentious issue.

For the first time in Australia's census history, fewer than half of respondents identified as Christian. So, how might the rise of 'no religion' play out in our legal system?

After a four-year consultation process, involving 220,000 people, the Plenary Council will reach its second and final assembly in July. Rebuilding confidence in the church will be a significant agenda item.

The reversal of constitutional abortion rights in America proves that if you can capture the courts, you can change society.

How strong is religious extremism in South Asia right now? The fall of Kabul and return of the Taliban last year, raises concerns that we could see the region become a hotbed of militancy once again.

The man who assassinated Gandhi, Nathuram Godse, is becoming a celebrated figure amongst Hindu Nationalists, including some in Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

There is always conflict in our world, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to Africa, to the Middle East to parts of Asia. World War I was supposed to be the war that ended all wars. So why do we keep repeating the past, one catastrophic conflict after another? 

Sheryl Sandberg has resigned as Chief Operating Officer of Meta, the company that brought us Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. She, along with Mark Zuckerberg have connected us in ways previously unimagined, but it's also opened a Pandora's box of issues including privacy, political meddling and fake news.

There's a long history of African American Catholic sisters, but it has been overlooked, even erased. Now, a new book tells the powerful story of how these Black nuns brought their faith and voices to the struggle of civil rights in America.

Once again, a church is being rocked by allegations of sexual abuse — this time, it's the powerful American Southern Baptists. Hundreds of cases of abuse that have now lasted for decades, and a shocking cover up.

Today, a special edition of the program marking Reconciliation Week. Stan Grant moderated a discussion, bringing together different people to discuss faith, and how that can bring about reconciliation in Australia.

A new US government report is shining a light onto generations of Native American children who were taken from their families and sent to boarding schools, to be forcibly assimilated. Many, at least thousands of children died in those institutions.

One of the first things new PM Anthony Albanese has committed to is a referendum for a voice for Indigenous people in the constitution. There is a groundswell of support in the Australian public — including amongst faith groups. You don't hear much about religion and the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but it is a document of profound faith and hope. 

Australians deserted Liberal and Labor in droves. Labor won, but the big winners here were the others, especially the Independents. Dai Le is one of them, she defeated Labor's high-profile Kristina Keneally, winning the seat of Fowler in Sydney's religiously and culturally diverse west.

There's an old saying, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" — but is that true? What about those who cling too strongly to the past, and what happens when the past is weaponised?

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is a political leader who wore his faith publicly. Of course, he's also an expert on China and China's place in the world. We asked him about the future of religious discrimination legislation in Australia, his personal faith, and whether the role of faith in China presents a challenge to the Chinese Communist Party.

Given the headlines you could be forgiven for thinking the Anglican church is tearing itself apart over the question of same-sex marriage. The tension in the church goes deeper as well — what is the future of the clash between progressives and conservatives in the church?

The fear of Black Consciousness is, in part, what Afro-Jewish philosopher Lewis Gordon means when we continually fail to deal with the legacy of our history, and address questions like the place for guilt.

Should the sins of the past be visited upon us? The Abrahamic faiths talk about guilt, atonement and redemption. Indigenous Australians have long called for truth-telling, a reckoning with our past as a way to justice and healing. But collective guilt today is a hot button topic — is the idea a helpful or harmful one?

In part two of our interview with renowned theologian and Yale Professor Miroslav Volf, we explore identity, faith and remembering history rightly. 

Clashes at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem became a feature of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which ended this week. Israeli officials blame Palestinian militant groups for inciting young men to riot, but many Jerusalem Palestinians say they are fearful that Israel plans to allow Jewish prayer at the Al Aqsa compound.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the man likely to become the next president of the Philippines when the nation goes to the polls on May 9. His father Ferdinand Marcos was a dictator and kleptocrat who held a grip on power for two decades between 1965 and 1986. How has fake news and disinformation been influencing this election and the likely return of power for the Marcos family?

Today we explore the question of forgiveness — including one of the most pressing — is it possible for a Ukrainian to forgive Vladimir Putin?

This week Australians have commemorated Anzac Day, again remembering the sacrifice of those in war. But is it more than that? What began in Gallipoli in WWI has now become sacred.

The federal election campaign descended quickly into a game of political 'gotcha.' The two major parties are trying to focus on leadership, stumbles and scandal. But is it possible to create a politics where there are clear distinctions and a commitment to the common good?

With the 2022 election campaign now under way, we check in with one of Australia’s top experts on religious voting trends.

Many Australians will enjoy Easter as simply a long weekend. But in a new book, Dr Kevin Donnelly argues that Christianity underpins much of the Australia we know today.

As Russian troops tried to encircle the Ukrainian capital Kyiv last month, and even began shelling the city, the mayor said almost half the population had been forced to flee. One man determined to stay at his post is Fr Aleksey Samsonov.

An astonishing 85 per cent of Australian companies are not complying with national laws against modern slavery. That’s the finding from the International Justice Mission, a faith-based organisation that fights human trafficking.

What links the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Saudi bombing of Yemen and the persecution of the Rohingya people of Myanmar? For Pope Francis, they’re all part of World War III.

It’s a controversial ritual of French politics: during presidential elections, nationalist candidates push a combination of anti-immigration and anti-Islamic rhetoric. But at this election, even centrist president Macron is using softer language to advocate similar things.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is fighting to retain power after a vote of no confidence in the parliament. He’s blamed a foreign conspiracy – the United States in particular – for trying to thwart his independent foreign policy.

Pentecostal Christianity is in a three-way race with Islam and Hinduism to become the world’s fastest growing religion. In the English-speaking world, one of its biggest names is the Australian founder of the Hillsong church empire, Brian Houston. But he’s had a dramatic fall. So just how significant is Brian Houston's resignation for the faith?

Muslims from the Russian republic of Chechnya are fighting on both sides in Ukraine. Some are Chechens who despise Putin for laying waste to their capital Grozny in the early 2000s. Others are followers of Ramzan Kadyrov, the warlord that Putin installed as leader of Chechnya.

Another controversial ruler who's been stoking war in a neighbouring country is Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The 36-year-old heir to the House of Saud styles himself as a modernizer, but bin Salman is bombing Yemen and detaining his political enemies — proving that modernisation doesn’t necessarily mean democracy and human rights.

US President Joe Biden has labelled Vladimir Putin a war criminal. Would the simplest way to end a war that Putin started be to assassinate him? It’s a shocking proposition but the concept of tyrannicide goes back to ancient philosophy.

In Argentina, severe drought threatens the livelihoods of tens of thousands of farmers. These extreme variations in weather have led Argentina's former environment minister to call for an economy that works in harmony with nature.

Ukraine's controversial surrogacy business has been disrupted by Russia's invasion, with headlines about surrogate children stranded in the war zone.

As the budget looms, one of the Australia's biggest faith-based welfare organisations, Anglicare, is calling for major changes to support low income Australians — one of which includes a universal basic income.

Vladimir Putin has long styled himself as a defender of Christian values. But his idea of the Russian Orthodox faith as a global political force has a lot in common with the Islamic concept of the Ummah – the worldwide community of believers.

In a sign of growing dissent inside the Russian Orthodox Church, almost 300 priests have signed a statement not only condemning Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine but warning that damnation awaits those who give orders to kill.

Pope Francis has begun his own effort to end the war in Ukraine. In an unprecedented break with protocol, Pope Francis walked across to Russia’s embassy at the Vatican to demand a meeting with the ambassador. He not only condemned the bloodshed but offered the Vatican as an intermediary.

Vladimir Putin is not just involved in a violent land grab. He believes he's fighting his own holy war to restore the ancient territory of the 'Holy Rus,' with the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as the 'Third Rome.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims the same justification for his attempted takeover of Ukraine that the US, Britain and Australia claimed for their 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for foreigners to join the fight against Russian invaders. Meanwhile, Australia and NATO countries are sending weapons to the Ukrainian resistance. But what happens when foreigners join a faraway fight and a region is flooded with arms that cannot be traced?

What's the difference between character and personality? Character often reflects certain values like self-reliance, restraint and good judgement, whereas personality is about self-expression.

India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, is in the middle of local elections. The current chief minister is the fiery Hindu priest Yogi Adityanath, well-known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric The Indian media are also asking if he could eventually replace fellow Hindu nationalist, PM Narendra Modi.

The West is certainly divided along political lines, turbo-charged by social media. But are Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping poised to take advantage of these fractures?

A dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory is undermining one of the most important battles today — the one against modern slavery.

Three leading figures in the German Catholic church have spoken out against compulsory celibacy for priests.

Why has Vladimir Putin's culture wars campaign against sexual and moral liberalism won him support in Russia — and abroad?

This week, Queen Elizabeth marks an extraordinary milestone — 70 years as a monarch, the longest reign ever. For centuries, there's been a lively debate over the 'divine right' of kings and queens.

Federal parliament is poised to vote this week on the controversial religious discrimination bill. At the heart of the bill is a clash of equally powerful rights, according to Dr Renae Barker.

The military junta in Myanmar is presenting itself as the defender of the country's majority Buddhist culture, even planning to build the world's largest sitting Buddha statue.

A special episode looking at who's really responsible for war crimes — the soldiers on the battlefield or the commanders and politicians who sent them?

Tammy Faye Bakker, along with her husband, were two of the most popular — and controversial — televangelists of the 1980s. They came out of a very conservative Pentecostal tradition, yet Tammy Faye also became a beloved figure among the gay community.

Pope Francis delivered his first major speech of the year to foreign ambassadors to the Vatican, warning against what he called "ideological colonisation."

Russian president Vladimir Putin has been amassing troops along the border with Ukraine, escalating fears of an invasion. But how could Orthodox Christian leaders help ease tensions?

Think back to when the pandemic began. Governments around the world spent trillions of dollars – sometimes reluctantly – to businesses that had to shut down. There was lots of talk about a new communitarian age. But is that how it turned out?

Today, a deep dive into a world where religion, politics, war, and peace come together, featuring the ABC’s International Affairs analyst Stan Grant.

Around 80 per cent of white American evangelicals voted for Donald Trump between 2016 and 2020. For African-American historian Anthea Butler, this says a lot about Christianity in America today.

How did the Catholic Church lose its grip on Ireland?

Is it time to declare Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a leader of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, a saint?

This year's ABC Australia Talks survey showed that neither religious nor political leaders enjoy much credibility these days. So it's quite brave to suggest that church teaching might actually improve politics.

Facebook is facing a US $150 billion lawsuit from Rohingya refugees, who claim the social media giant allowed hate speech to appear on its platform. They say the language contributed to the killing of at least 10,000 Muslims in Myanmar.

There have been half a dozen biographies of Menzies but none that have delved deeply into his faith like Dr David Furse-Roberts' new book on Menzies and God.

Why have police in Israel reopened two "cold case" murders from over three decades ago? The suspect is the rabbi of a small ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect.

Pope Francis made a dramatic visit to the Greek island of Lesbos earlier this week, urging world leaders not to abandon millions of refugees, and also making a historic apology.

The federal government’s proposed religious discrimination law has ignited debate over how much freedom faith-based institutions should have to promote their beliefs and doctrine. We look at different perspectives on the bill.

A recent law in France imposes heavy conditions on places of worship, religious funding, and even food.

China might officially be an atheist country, but it treats its communist heroes like saints. So much so that a new law makes it a crime to criticise the heroes — or so-called heroes — of the 1949 revolution.

Another bill has also landed in parliament – the long-awaited legislation on religious discrimination. Why are Muslims leaders, in particular, invested in a bill that mainly Christians have pushed so hard for?

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie has introduced a bill into the House of Representatives to ban the importation of goods made overseas by forced labour. It's designed to strengthen the fight against modern slavery, which ensnares more than 40 million people worldwide.

Think back to when the pandemic began. Governments around the world spent trillions of dollars – sometimes reluctantly – to businesses that had to shut down. There was lots of talk about a new communitarian age. But is that how it turned out?

At the 700-year-old Dongguan mosque in Xining, the dome and minarets have come down. Anything that looks Middle Eastern is replaced by architecture that looks more Han Chinese. But is this remodelling part of a broader campaign to suppress minority cultures?

Across the Middle East, millions of Christians have fled their ancient homelands, especially since the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq in 2003. Most have not returned — and probably never will. Renowned journalist Janine di Giovanni documents their plight in her new book.

Almost 6,000 people fleeing violence in Indonesia’s West Papua region have taken shelter in local churches. Now 30 local Catholic priests have signed an urgent appeal for a ceasefire.

Africa has the highest prevalence of modern slavery today, with an estimated 9.2 million victims according to the Global Slavery Index. Now, a new app has been designed to allow for the speedy reporting of slavery and forced labour.

For the past two decades, from Beirut to Kabul and onto Hong Kong, the people have built vibrant, liberal societies. But they've also lived with the threat of powerful forces overwhelming them.

With the COP26 climate summit just days away, governments need to build popular support to slash carbon emissions. In the US and Australia, climate change sceptics sometimes pitch their arguments to conservative Christians, suggesting global warming is another culture war issue, like critical race theory or personal pronouns.

Australia has become the latest country to sign onto a statement that defines anti-Semitism. You might think this is relatively uncontroversial – condemning the world’s longest hatred. But the definition of anti-Semitism has divided even the Jewish community.

Images posted on Facebook are alleged to have incited a rampage in Bangladesh targeting the Hindu minority. At least ten people have died and about 120 Hindu temples desecrated in the violence.

What’s the point of church-affiliated schools that don’t teach the church’s values?

As world leaders gather in Edinburgh next month for the COP26 climate summit, we look at the threat to Pacific nations like Tuvalu, and the Christian case for helping your neighbour in the climate emergency.

In a rare rebuke, the leaders of South East Asian nations have shunned the military junta in Myanmar, telling its prime minister he isn’t welcome at next week’s ASEAN summit. Since the junta seized power in February, the UN estimates the Burmese army has killed more than 1100 civilians.

New South Wales could soon legalise euthanasia or voluntary assisted dying, after Independent MP Alex Greenwich introduced a bill this week. Religious leaders hold different views on the bill.