Why being noticed and being watched are two very different things
Opinion
Opinion

Why being noticed and being watched are two very different things

The mere act of noticing is a human act that can mean so much to the one noticed.

  • byJohn Chesterman

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A decapitated doll and a prayer for my death:The many,many threats of the Exclusive Brethren
Special series
Investigations

A decapitated doll and a prayer for my death:The many,many threats of the Exclusive Brethren

A parcel mailed to me at The Age office contained a small,blonde female doll,its head had been ripped from its shoulders. It wasn’t the only threat the members of the Exclusive Brethren had made against me.

  • byMichael Bachelard
Lebanon names ICJ chief as PM of distressed nation,angering Hezbollah

Lebanon names ICJ chief as PM of distressed nation,angering Hezbollah

The choice of diplomat Nawaf Salam,the chief justice in The Hague,to lead the country’s revival underlines a major shift in the power balance.

  • byOmar Tamo andDana Khraiche
Jesus’ sense of humour shines in his parables
Opinion
Opinion

Jesus’ sense of humour shines in his parables

The message of Jesus came in story form,often with a side dose of humour.

  • byJim Pilmer
Who will be the next pope?

Who will be the next pope?

The release of the film Conclave has once again thrown the spotlight on one of the most arcane,storied and secretive events in human history:the election of a new pope.

  • byRob Harris
Francis names the first woman to head a major Vatican office. Then gives her a male co-leader

Francis names the first woman to head a major Vatican office. Then gives her a male co-leader

Italian nun Sister Simona Brambilla will be responsible for every religious order,from Jesuit and Franciscan priests to the Mercy nuns and smaller movements.

  • byNicole Winfield
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‘He confessed everything’:Jehovah’s Witness elders ignored child sexual abuse allegations

‘He confessed everything’:Jehovah’s Witness elders ignored child sexual abuse allegations

One woman’s tenacity in the face of decades of denial has sent her stepfather to jail for nearly 10 years.

  • byAmber Schultz
How Shen Yun tapped religious fervour to make a fortune

How Shen Yun tapped religious fervour to make a fortune

The dance group has accumulated enormous wealth,in large part by getting followers of the Falun Gong religious movement to work free and pay its bills.

  • byMichael Rothfeld andNicole Hong
My New Year’s resolution is to give up alcohol. Many Australians will be joining me

My New Year’s resolution is to give up alcohol. Many Australians will be joining me

New Year’s resolutions are a good if minor example of our need for optimism. They speak of a sense of hope that we can change ourselves. And in changing ourselves we can change the world.

  • byBarney Zwartz
My friend would have hated what was said at his funeral

My friend would have hated what was said at his funeral

The church would do well to acknowledge its own sins.

  • byAnson Cameron
Festival of Lights much needed for Melbourne’s Jewish community

Festival of Lights much needed for Melbourne’s Jewish community

Jewish leaders say it has been a tough year but the arrival of Hanukkah – on the same day as Christmas – is helping to lift spirits.

  • byBenjamin Preiss