Christians push back on ‘very dangerous’ cult laws
Protecting vulnerable people from harmful behaviour within cults could be problematic for legitimate religious groups, Christian leaders say.
religion and belief
Anti-protest powers decried as ‘outrageous overreach’
A court decision to toss out police powers to move on protesters could have wide-ranging implications for anti-protest laws around the nation.
Parents of alleged victims of monk abuse reveal shock
The loved ones of several girls allegedly sexually abused by the chief monk at their Buddhist temple have spoken to a jury in the second week of his trial.
Head monk allegedly abused children as young as four
Multiple young children were allegedly sexually abused by a head monk at a Buddhist temple, including at Sunday school and in prayer rooms.
No Opera House ‘free-for-all’ after court’s protest ban
Police have vowed to crack down on anyone defying a court order that banned a planned pro-Palestine rally at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Defiant pro-Palestine vigils call for urgent ceasefire
A pro-Palestine protest planned for the Sydney Opera House is headed to court while other vigils were staged on October 7 to mourn Gaza's war dead.
Terror probe into deadly attack on British synagogue
The man shot dead by police has been identified after killing two people at a British synagogue in an attack that has been declared a terror incident.
UK police may have shot victim in synagogue attack
One of the two men killed in a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester may have accidentally been killed by British police trying to stop the onslaught.
First female archbishop to lead Church of England
Sarah Mullally has been named Britain's new Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.
‘Love for all’: persecuted Muslim sect preaches unity
A majority South Asian Muslim sect is inviting Australians from all walks of life to its annual gathering of thousands for moral clarity in bleak times.
Religious protections push to combat Islamophobia rise
A red line is being drawn to tackle a rise in hatred and attacks towards Muslims in Australia as the prime minister pledges to stamp out discrimination.
‘Fearful’ Muslim Australians demand action, not words
More than 50 recommendations to tackle prejudice against Muslims have been outlined in a landmark report by Australia's special envoy to combat Islamophobia.
Thousands flood cities demanding action on Palestine
Hundreds of thousands of protesters across Australia have called for greater sanctions against Israel and an end to its bombardment and occupation of Palestine.
‘Sick and tired’: Gaza protests ramp up pressure on PM
Anthony Albanese has downplayed Canberra's ability to influence Israel after hundreds of thousands of Australians rallied for peace in Palestine.
‘You could hit kids’: ex-members in ‘cult’ abuse claims
The treatment of kids within a secretive Pentecostal doomsday church has raised further questions about working with children screenings.
Christian leaders in Gaza after Israel’s church strike
Jerusalem's top Catholic and Greek Orthodox officials have entered Gaza in a show of solidarity after Israel's strike on a Catholic church in the enclave.
Plan to rid anti-Jew ‘cancer’ targets uni, arts funding
Universities and cultural bodies that fail to act against anti-Semitism could have their funding terminated as part of a blueprint to combat discrimination.
‘Extraordinary overreach’: anti-Semitism report blasted
A pro-Palestinian artist has taken aim at recommendations to crack down on anti-Semitism, branding them part of a strategy to achieve "cultural apartheid".
Anti-hate group lauded as ‘fringe’ protesters slammed
Jewish groups are optimistic an anti-hate task force will trigger political action as a small group of protesters is lashed over a violent confrontation.
Money can’t get bail for accused ‘spiritual’ fraudster
A self-proclaimed "curse removal expert" accused of defrauding three people by spiritually cleansing their cash has lost another bid for bail.
Double standards claim over synagogue attack response
Palestinian Australians have accused political leaders of ignoring their plight and criminalising their protests against conflict in the Middle East.
Leader of Tibetan Buddhism won’t be the last Dalai Lama
Following speculation about the future of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader has announced the institution will continue after he dies.
Islamist preacher’s court loss over ‘perverse’ sermons
Sermons delivered by an Islamist preacher drew on fundamentally racist tropes and made "perverse generalisations" about Jewish people, a judge has found.
Muslim preacher defends ‘dehumanising’ sermons on Jews
An Islamist preacher is being sued over sermons in which he allegedly made "derogatory generalisations" about Jews, who he described as rats and cowards.
Muslim preacher ‘never’ meant to insult ‘vile’ Jews
An Islamist preacher says he did not mean to insult Jews by calling them 'treacherous' after comparing Christmas greetings to congratulating someone for murder.
Jewish leaders ‘let down’ in fight with Muslim preacher
Two Jewish community leaders claim they were left to fend for themselves after Australia's institutions failed to hold an Islamist preacher to account.
Appeal success for Nazi salutes outside Jewish museum
A man who claimed he was copying a famed British comedian when performing a Nazi salute with two co-workers near a Jewish museum has been spared a conviction.
Leo, the first US Pope, criticises nationalist politics
God would "open borders, break down walls (and) dispel hatred", Leo, the first Pope from the US, has told mass in St Peter's Square.
Anti-Semitism panel told inquiry risks isolating Jews
After an increase in anti-Semitic incidents across NSW, a parliamentary inquiry has been urged not just to focus on one form of racism.
Hope Pope’s blessing foreshadows end to EU food fight
Australia is offering to drop a luxury car tax in exchange for better meat access to European markets following trade talks in the Vatican City.
PM in Rome for Pope’s inauguration and leaders’ talks
Anthony Albanese has joined crowds at Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in Rome amid a hive of diplomatic activity on the sidelines, including EU trade talks.