The Printing Press and the Reformation

Protestantism

Technology and religion

The Catholic Church

The Reformation

2022-10-12T11:17:17-05:00

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The Impact of Printing on Religion: Buddhism in East Asia

Last updated on: October 12, 2022 at 11:17 am By Barbara O'Brien

Religion stumbled along for centuries before the invention of printing technology. Before printing was invented, scriptures had to be copied by hand. Sometimes they were memorized and chanted. But then came printing, and Bibles and sutras and sermons and all manner of religious expression could be easily published and mass distributed. But what was the impact of printing on religion? It varied. In Asia, printing tended to support religion. But elsewhere — especially Europe — the introduction of printing technology... Read more

Buddhism

Technology and Religion

Buddhism

Technology and religion

2022-10-02T12:04:49-05:00

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The New Madrid Earthquakes: Disaster and Religion on the Frontier

Last updated on: October 2, 2022 at 12:04 pm By Barbara O'Brien

What is the connection between natural disasters and religion? The world’s scriptures often mention natural disasters — the biblical flood, for example. But the relation of natural disasters and religion in history is varied and complex. There is data showing that people who live in regions with a high risk of natural disasters exhibit more religiosity than people who don’t. Sometimes disasters are viewed as God’s judgment. Sometimes they are signs of some prophesized event. Here we’re going to look... Read more

Pagan

General Christian

Native Americans

2022-09-28T12:02:54-05:00

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Journalism Versus Religion

Last updated on: September 28, 2022 at 12:02 pm By Barbara O'Brien

There is a new Global Faith and Media Study on how news media cover religion and religious issues. Apparently neither journalists nor religious people are happy with religious journalism these days. But it’s arguably been worse. Consider the s0-called Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. You probably recall that a high school teacher in Tennessee named John Scopes was put on trial for teaching evolution, which violated Tennessee law. The trial became a media circus featuring two famous lawyers, Clarence Darrow... Read more

Interfaith

More Voices

Nonreligious

Religion and News Media

Religion and politics

2022-09-26T11:14:40-05:00

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What Is Deism?

Last updated on: September 26, 2022 at 11:14 am By Barbara O'Brien

The word Deism often comes up in early U.S. history and some 18th century European history as well. But what was Deism? George Washington refused to take Communion in his adult life, it’s widely reported. And he avoided mention of Jesus Christ in his writings. Historians interpret this to mean that Washington, while a regular Episcopal church-goer, was a secret Deist. Thomas Jefferson was much less secretive about his Deism. Late in his life he created his own version of... Read more

Humanist

General Christian

Religious philosophy

Religion and politics

2022-09-24T10:41:26-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Myth of the Christian Nation

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 10:41 am By Barbara O'Brien

One of the most persistent popular themes of American history is that the United States is a Christian nation. It was explicitly founded to be a Christian nation, the story goes, and its laws and values are based on Christianity. This is what the founders of the nation intended. Therefore, Christianity deserves a privileged position in U.S. law and public policy. A recent poll of U.S. adults found that 61 percent of Republicans — but only 17 percent of Democrats... Read more

General Christian

Religion and politics

2023-08-14T13:41:20-05:00

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The Mahabodhi Temple, Site of the Buddha’s Enlightenment

Last updated on: August 14, 2023 at 1:41 pm By Barbara O'Brien

The Mahabodhi Temple is believed to mark the place where the Buddha realized enlightenment. This is the central, foundational event in the tradition of Buddhism. But the temple was neglected for centuries, and its origins forgotten, until it caught the attention of European scholars and archeologists in the 19th century. Today the restored temple is an object of reverence but also of heated sectarian dispute between Buddhists and Hindus. It has twice been the target of terrorist attacks. The temple... Read more

Hindu

Buddhism

Ashoka

Buddhism in India

Temples

2022-12-06T10:50:48-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The True Story of the Mozart Requiem Mass

Last updated on: December 6, 2022 at 10:50 am By Barbara O'Brien

The 1984 film Amadeus — and the stage play on which it was based — took liberties with history, including the story behind the composition of the Mozart Requiem in D Minor. But the real story is just as dramatic and is the stuff of legend — and wild conspiracy theories. So let’s try to sort fact from fiction. The year was 1791, and the young Austrian composer Wolfgang Mozart was enjoying a prolific period. That year he completed two operas.... Read more

Catholic

Religious Music & Entertainment

Religious Art and Music

Classical Music

Requiem Mass

2022-09-08T15:09:26-05:00

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Rabi’a of Basra, Sufi Saint of Islam

Last updated on: September 8, 2022 at 3:09 pm By Barbara O'Brien

Rābiʿah al-ʿAdawīyah (713/17–801), also called Rabi’a of Basra or Rabi’a Basri, was a woman, poet, and mystic who made significant contributions to Islam. According to traditional stories, Rabi’a was born into a poor family of Basra, in what is now Iraq, then sold into slavery when her parents died. Her practices of piety and prayer impressed her master, who freed her. She spent much of the rest of her life in the desert outside Basra, living independently, writing her poems,... Read more

Muslim

2022-09-08T15:08:44-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Saint Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church: The Little Chapel That Stood

Last updated on: September 8, 2022 at 3:08 pm By Barbara O'Brien

St. Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church, New York City, is an old Episcopal church with a lot of history. It’s a history that stretches from the colonial period and the Revolution to the September 11 terrorist attacks, when it became “The Little Chapel That Stood.” St. Paul’s Chapel belongs to the same congregation as Trinity Church, which is a few blocks south on the corner of Wall Street and Broadway. The Trinity congregation was established in 1697, and as New... Read more

General Christian

Religious Events