Latest from Religion and Beliefs

Work backlash for Muslims?

Employers find it okay to employ Buddhists and Hindus but are wary of hiring Muslims, an AUT study has found.

Kiwis march to call for safe return of Nigerian schoolgirls

Christians forced to quit 'eyesore' church in China

One thousand Christians have been forced from their place of worship in a city in eastern China after Communist Party officials decided their 10-storey mega-church was an eyesore that needed to be destroyed.

'Jihad' threat to mosque security

A mosque in Auckland has been shut down indefinitely following violent attacks and the declaration of jihad, or holy war, against private security staff.

Women call on Pope to end celibacy vow

A group of 26 Italian women who claim to be having affairs with Roman Catholic priests have written a joint letter to the Pope begging him to end the Catholic Church's ban on priests having sex and getting married.

Boko Haram 'ready to release schoolgirls'

Boko Haram is prepared to start releasing up to half of the kidnapped schoolgirls in the coming days after dropping demands for the release of top commanders in talks with the Nigerian government, sources close to the group have said.

Muslim leader bashed as battle over mosque worsens

Haider Lone, immediate past president of the NZ Muslim Association and administrator of the Avondale Islamic Centre, says he fears for his life as he believes the attack was an assassination attempt.

Leaders condemn Christian's death sentence

International outrage is growing after a heavily pregnant young woman was sentenced to death in Sudan for renouncing Islam and marrying a Christian man.

Paul Little: Curios line stairway to heaven

It was a total Pope-fest. Two living pontiffs - the incumbent and his immediate predecessor - presided at the canonisation of two deceased vicars of Christ.

Holy statues bricked up as China targets its 'Jerusalem'

A City known as China's Jerusalem has had its holy statues depicting biblical scenes destroyed, removed or "hidden" by authorities, adding to fears of a renewed offensive against Christianity and drawing comparisons with the Cultural Revolution.

Early 'image of Jesus' found in tomb

A team of Catalan archaeologists believes it has unearthed one of the earliest images of Jesus Christ buried deep in an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Church to destroy 'holy oil' newsletter

Loch Ness legend resurfaces

It is a story that has been around since the sixth century, but businesses in the Highlands will look at the Loch Ness Monster with extra interest next month as they hear how to exploit the economic potential of the legend.

Four Popes, two saints, one billion eyes

It has been dubbed "the day of the four Popes", an unprecedented occasion in the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope phones 'sinner' over Communion

Let's go to the chapel, bro

200 years after NZ's first service, some churches are riding a resurgence in which theology and pastoral care merge with pragmatic acceptance of sex, booze and rock’n’roll.