Brigham Young and the Defense of Mormon Polygamy
Mormon leader Brigham Young tried to create a culture of polygamy in the nineteenth century. How did he justify the practice in Victorian-era America?
Our Lady of Political Anxiety
From Our Lady of Fatima to the 1949 Virgin Mary sighting in Wisconsin, what do Marian sightings reveal about our political anxieties?
Does the “Prosperity Gospel” Explain Trump?
According to the Prosperity Gospel, wealth is a sign of God's favor. Trump Tower is not just his monument. It is seen as God's gift.
Why Egypt’s Coptic Christians Face Rising Sectarianism
Egypt’s Coptic Christians supported President Abdelfattah al-Sisi's overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood. Why do they still face discrimination?
How Religious Literacy Might Have Changed the Waco Tragedy
Religious scholars argue that the Waco raid was not justified and that with more understanding of theology, the loss of life could have been avoided.
The Religious Roots of the Easter Parade
The revival of Easter as a festival-type holiday coincided with a rise in Catholic immigration and relaxing religious standards in the 1880's.
Matzo and Oreos: Keeping Kosher in America
The koshering of America's food industry has mostly gone unnoticed. Yet most people who specifically buy kosher foods are not Jewish.
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Still Unscrolling
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered some 70 years ago after 2000 years in the desert, have had a controversial and conflicted life.
How Irish Holidays Blend Catholic and Pagan Traditions
Many Irish holidays blend the Catholic faith with ancient Celtic tradition and mythology. Some original pagan holidays are still practiced in Ireland today.
How Hanukkah Became “Jewish Christmas”
For most of the Jewish world, Hanukkah is a minor holiday. What happened in America?