The Religion and Ethics Report

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

How Beijing is allegedly using a popular folk religion to spread its influence in Taiwan. Also, sex industry survivor Rose Hunter is urging South Australian politicians to rethink their support for full decriminalisation of the trade.

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's international court case against Israel, Is the new Ram temple in Ayodhya a "Hindu Vatican"? and the Pope's statement on same-sex blessing and surrogacy.

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?

Father Patrick Ryan was the embodiment of a typical 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.

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.

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. Musicians such as The Beatles were particularly inspired.