Biblical myths in the time of Mammon
The religious underpinnings of South African fiction have been eroded by the secularisation of our society since 1994, with one striking exception.
Religion
Thuli Madonsela on faith and its role in society
While public protector Thuli Madonsela believes in the separation between religion and state, her faith informs her commitment to values in her work.
Humanity before religion
How we live our lives and govern our society should be motivated by what’s good for all of us, regardless of individual metaphysical beliefs.
How religious will the world be in the future? Here’s what the data says.
Far from the world becoming secular, there will be almost six billion Christian and Muslim believers by 2050, according to a series of reports.
The role of spirituality in Western politics
Church and state may be separated in South Africa, but people’s belief systems flow subtly through all our public discourses.
Oxford’s racist ‘superiority’ is founded in Christian myopia
To build a more pluralistic, peaceful world, denunciations of what others hold sacred and assertions of superiority must be avoided.
Nigeria tops list for Christians killed for their faith
The persecution of Christians in sub-Saharan Africa dwarfs what is happening in the Middle East, according to a report.
Americans’ religious faith is on the wane
The growing proportion of young adults now in their 20s and 30s – who do not belong to any organised faith is changing the US’s religious landscape.
The sinister inner workings of a charismatic church
A new book examines how a charismatic church is brainwashing poor and gullible South Africans with the idea that God can be bought
Christians must embrace modern human-rights culture
There is the need for Christians to find a mutual compromise to embrace social diversity, specifically the human rights of homosexuals.
When rights compete, the individual’s seem to trump others
Do parents get to decide on their own wellbeing if they have small children who are dependent on the parent’s survival?
Maimane, James face off in DA leadership debate
The debate between the party’s parliamentary and federal leaders laid bare key differences in their personal politics, and political personability.
Oman: A beacon of hope in the Middle East
Oman does not get involved in regional politics and places a high value on religious tolerance.
LGBT rights a new front in US cultural wars
Hard-won lesbian, gay, bi- and transsexual rights are threatened by a raft of religious Bills.
Scarf or scoff: How do you wrap your head around hijab?
Does wearing the hijab mean you are holier than thou? Fatima Asmal finds a rich tapestry of views.
Badges of faith in the time of signs
Symbols of faith are important to believers.
Africa’s opium is the religion of others
Over the Easter weekend many South Africans will mark Christ’s death – not just symbolically.
Jesus helps, but we must dispel the stigma of mental health
Telling people that they must keep going is as helpful as "put some Dettol and cotton wool on that gunshot wound – it will heal right up".
Former thug now strikes a blow for Jesus
Suddenly the tsotsi was not interested in making money illegally – he claimed he head found Jesus.
We must practise what we teach
Religion should be a part of the South African school curriculums to foster greater tolerance, writes Panyaza Lesufi.
Pupils Speak Out: Not all public schools have the resources that my school has
A 16-year-old Islamic pupil writes about her school experience, which is different from the average, and how we can go about changing education.
Why churches dumped the ANC
Religious leaders want an end to favouritism as they adopt a more critical political stance.
Preying on the soul of the ANC
Religion was all but shunned by the ruling party after 1994, but it has returned to the political realm.
Mosque and state embrace in Egypt
Despite cracking down on fundamentalists, the country’s rulers base their support on Islam.
A serpent lurks in the garden of plurality
The promotion of Christian values by some of our politicians endangers our constitutional integrity.
Gods are forged of scarcity and strife
Among humans, there is also good evidence that religious beliefs may help shape social behaviour, say researchers.
Pope Francis: evolution and creation both right
Pope Francis has cautioned against portraying God as a magician and says it is possible to believe in evolution and creation.
Religion in schools: We give you our children in good faith
The responsible teaching of religion in schools is integral to the promotion of tolerance in society.
Struggling to find God in a shared space
For we gender activists the Open Mosque is not quite so new. For over 20 years we’ve waged a gender jihad to gain inclusive access to mosques.
Faith and sexuality exposed
Renowned scholars are challenging the sexual precepts of mainstream religions.
Letters to the editor: June 13 to 19 2014
M&G readers air their views on religion and the Constitution, land reform and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Religious sentiments can’t be allowed to override our Constitution
By provoking debate on his religion’s relation to the law Mogoeng opens himself – and, by extension, his office – to criticism, debate and engagement.
