Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
religion and belief
‘I am proud’: state’s first Muslim MP makes history
Bisma Asif is making history as the first Muslim MP to sit in a state's parliament, 20 years after her family arrived from Pakistan.
High Court limits church liability for child abuse
The High Court has found a Catholic diocese in regional Victoria is not liable for the sexual abuse of a young boy by a priest over 50 years ago.
High Court lets Indigenous woman pursue abuse damages
The High Court has ruled an Aboriginal woman can pursue damages on some allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse while in state care in Queensland.
Harris goes to church, Trump hands out french fries
Kamala Harris has gone to church as she turned 60, while Donald Trump has tried his hand working at McDonald's as the US election draws closer.
MP breaks party ranks on transgender birth certificates
A NSW Liberal MP has broken with ranks and accused her leaders of fearmongering over laws that make it easier for transgender people modify birth certificates.
Pope Francis warns against religious extremism
On the first day of his tour of Indonesia, the pope has warned against religious extremism, saying it distorts religious beliefs through deception and violence.
‘Disillusioned’: Muslim group warning ahead of election
A grassroots political movement is aiming to swing votes away from the government at the federal election over its response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
‘Great pain’ not enough to require help for dying girl
A woman accused of killing a young girl by withholding her insulin told police she would not have called an ambulance even if the girl was writhing in pain.
Prosecution rests in church trial over child’s death
After weeks of hearings, prosecutors in the trial of 14 church group members accused of killing a girl by withholding insulin have finished presenting evidence.
Rioters convicted over ‘unacceptable’ church attack
A magistrate has condemned the actions of rioters congregating outside a church after a bishop's stabbing as three charged over the incident appeared in court.
Accused killer mum ‘praying’ when girl’s breath stopped
A manslaughter-accused mother previously jailed for failing to seek treatment for her daughter said it was a "miracle" she had survived a near-fatal coma.
‘No regrets’ over girl’s death: accused dad to police
A body-worn camera has captured an exchange between police officers and a man accused of murdering his eight-year-old daughter by withholding her medication.
Trump says Christians won’t have to vote next election
Republican nominee Donald Trump's team didn't address his comments he would have it "fixed" so that Christians wouldn't need to vote in the next election.
Harris says she is the ‘underdog’ in presidential race
Republican nominee Donald Trump's team didn't address his comments he would have it "fixed" so that Christians wouldn't need to vote in the next election.
Harris says she is the ‘underdog’, Trump goes on attack
Donald Trump has vowed to make the US the "crypto capital of the world," a far cry from his stance in 2021, when he called bitcoin a "scam."
Mum forced daughter into two marriages: court hears
A mother who forced her daughter to marry a man who would go on to kill her should be jailed to send a message to the community, a court has been told.
Murder accused to cop: girl ‘still not risen’ from dead
A religious leader on trial accused of murdering a young child of his followers told police the girl was no longer breathing despite his prayers, a judge heard.
Mother on trial for girl’s death acted on Bible ‘facts’
A woman accused of killing her daughter by withholding medication told her prior trial for near-fatal child neglect the Bible's "facts" showed God could heal.
Israeli minister’s holy site visit threatens Gaza talks
Ultranationalist Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has visited a contested Jerusalem holy site, which could disrupt talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.
Boss tells murder trial of hard worker’s ‘brainwashing’
A bakery boss says he feared a valued employee and friend had been "brainwashed" by a fringe Christian group before the man allegedly murdered his own daughter.
Girl ‘miraculously healed’ of diabetes before death
A church group member charged over an eight-year-old girl's death said the child had earlier been miraculously healed of her diabetes, a court has been told.
Murder accused dad told girl needed insulin ‘for life’
A man accused of murdering his daughter by withholding her insulin was repeatedly told she would die without the medication, a judge has heard.
Murder accused ‘cult’ leader grills teen member’s mum
A religious leader accused of murder has cross-examined a witness who confronted him over her teenage daughter spending too much time in his congregation.
Churchgoers ‘elated’ for public to see girl resurrect
A religious group accused of killing an eight-year-old girl were "elated" when police took her body as people would see her rise from the dead, a judge heard.
Church group in girl’s death trial claims ‘persecution’
A leader of a religious group accused of fatally withholding medication from a young girl claimed they are facing "religious persecution" under man-made law.
Group ‘singing’ as police searched girl’s death scene
As police were photographing the body of an eight-year-old girl, members of a church group accused of killing her were singing on the front lawn, a judge heard.
Stampede at Hindu religious event in India kills 121
Authorities in northern India say at least 121 have been killed in a stampede that occurred at a Hindu religious gathering.
No jail for ‘morally repugnant’ rioter who punched cop
A man who attended violent riots after a church bishop's stabbing and was pepper sprayed after punching a police officer will not spend any more time in prison.
Greens deputy says Muslim voters ‘long ignored’
The deputy leader of the Greens says the major parties have failed to address the needs of migrant communities and their voices are not being heard.
Australian dies during Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
Intense heat has killed hundreds taking part in the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, including one Australian, the government has confirmed.