A radical Christian group with the ear of prominent politicians has blamed “sinful” Australians for the nation’s record drought.

Treasurer Peter Costello has defended his support of an evangelical church leader who was acquitted of religious vilification, saying the pastor had got a “rough deal”.

The leader of a Christian group that advocates the destruction of mosques, casinos and bottle shops has met Peter Costello to “prophetically prepare” the Australian Treasurer for the prime ministership.

Mediation and handshakes have ended a five year racial vilification battle between an evangelical Christian group and an Australian Muslim body.

Prime Minister John Howard has defended his decision to record a goodwill message for an Australia Day prayer event organised by a controversial group involved in an anti-Islamic court case.

John Howard has sent a video greeting to the controversial fundamentalist Christian group Catch the Fire Ministries, in which he reflects on Australia’s Christian heritage and values.

Insane hate laws in the Australian state of Victory allowed Muslim extremists to persecute two Christian pastors. Initially convicted of vilyfying Islam – for merely examining Islam at a Christian conference – a court finally overturned their convictions.

The Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia upheld the appeal of two Australian pastors who could have faced jail time for publicly comparing Christianity with Islam.

All Fired Up About Faith

A Christian pastor found guilty of vilifying muslims says he is prepared to go to jail in protest over Victoria's racial tolerance laws.

One of two Christian pastors found guilty of vilifying Muslims has vowed to go to prison rather than apologise.

Worried about curbs on free speech, religious leaders will push Premier Steve Bracks for change.

Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) - An Australian state tribunal's finding that two pastors had vilified Muslims looks set to widen the divide in the country's Christian community between liberal mainstream church representatives who lauded the ruling and evangelicals who argued that it constituted a dangerous threat to free speech and freedom to evangelize.

Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) - Christians in Australia are pondering the implications of an explosive ruling handed down Friday by a legal tribunal, which found that two Christian pastors had vilified Islam.

A religious vilification case has embarrassed the plaintiffs and shown the stupidity of the law, says PIERS AKERMAN.