A small point of doctrine
Taking your own life is a mortal sin, says the Catholic Church. Unless you happen to be a Bishop, finds Colin Brewer
Faith & Religion
Drambuie in Damascus
Forget the booze cruise, Winston Fletcher finds that, with a little patience, you can get sozzled in Syria
Forked tongue
Doug Ireland examines the reputation of Tariq Ramadan, the man widely hailed as the saviour of Islam
Death on air
Sanal Edamuruku on the night a guru tried to kill him live on Indian TV
Power to the pulpit
Religion has always been an election issue in America. But in the current campaign, argues James Crabtree, it’s not just the Republicans who are courting the faith vote
Editorial: Toxic mix
From Russia to India, France to Iran, come particular examples of a general rule – religion and politics are a toxic mix
Servants of the Supernatural: The Night Side of the Victorian Mind by Antonio Melechi
Peter Wayne serves up the supernatural
Diary: Give us a hug
Peyvand Khorsandi pays a visit to Amma – India's hugging saint
Forced to be free
France’s ban on headscarves was hailed as a victory for secularism. But, argues Joan W Scott, its political roots are more sinister
Tea and empathy
The human imagination, says Martin Rowson, allows us to make the world in the image of ourselves