The Church of England's crucial vote on gay marriage has been thrown into doubt after the Bishop of Coventry admitted he accidentally voted against the report.

Comment: It's a subject dear to the hearts of 84 per cent of the world's population. But here in New Zealand, religion is almost taboo, Rachel Smalley writes.

NOT SUSPICIOUS: Fire investigators have revealed the fire at St John's Church last week was not suspicious. PHOTO/FILE A_080217bf20.JPG The

Beaten, abused, raped and killed. With nowhere to turn these people are not even classified as citizens.

When photographer Cameron McLaren spent two days at the reclusive Christian community of Gloriavale, he was surprised to be left to wander unescorted.

A traditional Buddhist sand mandala is being constructed by two Tibetan-born monks in Tauranga Art Gallery. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

COMMENT: Our political elites occupy the headlines, but let's our make hospitality great again, let's be radical in our hospitality toward one another.

A leaked draft order allowing discrimination against anything not strictly Christian reportedly awaits Donald Trump's signature.

Fed up with people posting insensitive selfies at Berlin's Holocaust memorial, an artist has come up with a clever way to out the offenders.

Despite perceptions that the Church of Scientology is extremely secretive, its new Auckland HQ suggests otherwise.

There are just 315 scientologists in NZ, yet the church, which was established here more than 60 years ago, has just opened a new $16 million base.

The Church of Scientology will open its new Auckland base next Saturday - with high profile leader David Miscavige tipped to be coming to cut the ribbon.

In case you missed it: This was one of Lifestyle's most popular stories of 2016

Amazon has sparked outrage by continuing to sell "racist" and religiously offensive fancy dress costumes despite criticism from customers.

Church leaders remind us that the message of Christmas goes beyond just words.

The bakery that refused to make a cake for a lesbian couple's wedding has closed after legal battles left the business financial devastated.

COMMENT: We're entering that time of year when I remind people to be kind to atheists. Remember, Christmas capitalism has room for all of us.

Why does Santa wear red and why do we kiss under mistletoe? The mysteries of Christmas unwrapped.

The Salvation Army would not sell Buddha statues - or icons of other religions - in its charity shops.

Pastor regrets saying the kingdom of heaven must infiltrate schools.

COMMENT: A number of lessons can be learned from Belgium. This is particularly true for NZ where the problem of Islamic extremism is much more manageable.

A message from Pope Francis will be delivered this weekend to Kiwis affected by last month's Kaikoura earthquake.

Controversial pentecostal church leader Brian Tamaki is now warning his followers tremors are a divine alarm after blaming recent destructive quakes on gay people.

COMMENT: The more science advances, the more inclined is the human race to cling to nonsense.

Calls to LGBT support service OUTline are the highest they've ever been.

Destiny Church could be at risk of losing its tax-free status after a member of the public complained to Charities Services.

COMMENT: CNN this week had a discussion where the screen read: "Alt-Right Founder Questions If Jews Are People."

A Muslim cleric gave what has been labelled hate speech in an online video has been permanently stood down.

Stan Walker will headline a men's conference at Destiny Church, less than two weeks after Brian Tamaki blamed natural disasters on gays and sinners.

COMMENT: Blaming quakes on sexual behaviour is a disgraceful insult as our hearts go out to shaken communities.