Inside

Cover stories: The Pacific is perhaps the largest Christian region outside Europe.

But two hundred years after the arrival of the first Christians, newer denominations continue to make appearances, meeting with much resistance and sometimes violence.

Just what is the role of religion in Pacific Island states?

In the name of God 18 Church appeal questioned From the pulpit 19 State versus religion Religion or scam? 20 Mormons in Samoa Prophets, predictions and the pope 22 Up in arms over God 24 Channeling in to God 2G

Editorial 7 Letters to the Editor 7 Briefs 11

Special Reports:

The Forum 14 Secretariat questioned over accounts Open secrets 18 Australian report hits raw nerve Conservation consensus 28 Too many fish in the sea 29 Arms and the man 30 Lawsuits plague Samoan daily 32 FSM media struggle 33 Flagging powers 34 Estate of war 35 Motoring feature 36 Tonga feature 43 Sumo's mighty Musashimaru 47 The shadowbox 48 Politics of art 50

Yachting:

The President's race 52 Mayday, mayday 53

Opinion:

Sad, but true 56 High acclaim follows Majuro fish meeting 57 Global warning for Howard 58

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