The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

The popularity of Putin among nominally conservative Christians sounds baffling — but why is it a growing phenomenon in the US?

Did Pope Francis really tell Ukraine’s leaders to hoist "the white flag" — ending a war that Russia began two years ago? Also, the Pope has upset Israel's government in its diplomatic efforts.

In the world's largest democracy, India, there's been a huge shift in who is going to the ballot box. 49% of voters will be women in this year's elections  — and they'll outstrip male voters by 2029. ABC's Avani Dias examines this turning point in the country, the leaps and strides women have made, and the barriers still present today. 

Over 40% of students who attend Catholic high schools, aren’t Catholic. In fact, many aren’t even Christian. That’s one finding of a major study involving 1,200 parishes across Australia. 

If Israel's military offensive in Gaza continues into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, it could ignite a wider conflict.

Australia spends $6 billion a year on prisons. But we still have one of the highest rates of repeat offending in the world. So what is prison good for? 

How did a small Christian college in Michigan end up at the heart of Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election?

When does anti-Zionism become anti-Semitism? It's possibly the most contentious question of the moment.

Indonesia's new president Prabowo Subianto has a history of courting Islamists - but religion was far less prominent in last week's national elections.

In a trend mirroring Australia, around 30 percent of Americans call themselves religious "nones." They have no affiliation with any organised religion. But a new study reveals that many "nones" still believe in a higher power.

In Britain, concerns have been raised over the false conversion of asylum seekers to Christianity, so they can stay.

At the heart of Russia is the vast hinterland known as the Steppe, bordering Mongolia, China and the Central Asian Republics. Around this territory, Putin has endorsed an ideology called "Eurasianism," and it's influenced by Eastern Orthodox Christianity. 

Could President Joe Biden's strong support for Israel weaken Democratic support among US Muslims?

Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, have been convicted of violating Islamic law. The couple allegedly married too soon after her divorce.

The business of espionage certainly involves a multitude of sins: deception, blackmail, betrayal, and even murder. So can there be an ethical form of espionage?

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

Rose Hunter is a sex industry survivor, and she's urging South Australian politicians to rethink their support for full decriminalisation of the trade.

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.

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?

Just how adept has Francis become at balancing the interests of the left and the right in the church?