The early modern period in Europe is often characterized as a period of reason when great strides were made in science and culture. However, it was also a period of religious intolerance and mass hysteria, and this is exemplified in… Read More ›
History of Religion
Why Did Ashoka Convert to Buddhism?
The conversion of the Mauryan Indian King Ashoka (ruled 272-231 BC) to Buddhism is rightfully viewed as a significant turning point in world history. Ashoka promoted the relatively new philosophy of Buddhism throughout his realm and allowed it to flourish,… Read More ›
What was the impact of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII on English Society?
During the English Reformation, Henry VIII suppressed or dissolved Catholic monasteries by Henry VIII throughout England. The dissolution of the monasteries was a process whereby religious foundations were dissolved and their property confiscated. This is one of the most important… Read More ›
Why Were the Philistines and Israelites Enemies?
Today, the term “Philistine” has become synonymous with any person or people deemed uncultured, uncouth, and boorish. The word is repeated with little thought to its origin with few people knowing that it is derived from a maligned and often… Read More ›
Did the Biblical Exodus Actually Happen?
The Old Testament Book of Exodus has played an essential role in world history. It represents one of the most fundamental aspects of Jewish religion and early history and is also recognized as an important event by Christians and Muslims…. Read More ›
How Vietnam War Protests Accelerated the Rise of the Christian Right
From Smithsonian.com by David Mislin: May of 1968, a high-profile trial began in Boston that dramatically illustrated a larger phenomenon fueling the rise of conservative Christianity in the United States. Five men had been charged with conspiracy for encouraging Americans… Read More ›
Who was the first pope?
Traditionally, in the Roman Catholic Church, St. Peter (formally Simon) is regarded as the first pope in spite of the fact that the word “pope” would not have been attributed to Peter himself. There are several separate, interwoven theological concepts… Read More ›
What was the Second Great Awakening?
The Second Great Awakening was a religious revival that spread across the United States from 1790s to 1830s. American religious leaders were deeply concerned by low church attendance; only about 10% of the white population was going to church. These… Read More ›
How the crisis of the 1930s made the Catholic Church modern
From Aeon by James Chappel author of Catholic Modern: The Challenge of Totalitarianism and the Remaking of the Church (Harvard UP, 2018) The 20th century is littered with failed global experiments. The British Empire roared into the century with the wind at… Read More ›
How did the Reformation change Christianity?
The Reformation was quite possibly the biggest epoch in Christian history. As the name of the movement suggests, the Reformation was an effort to reform the Catholic Church. Though most view this as a mere attempt to rid the Church… Read More ›
How did Vatican II change the Catholic Church?
In 1959 Pope John XXIII called for an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that would later be known at Vatican II. As a result of this council, the Catholic Church would dramatically change or reconsider its stance towards the… Read More ›
Before Americans turned to Buddhism for life hacks, they treated it like a dangerous cult
From Quartz at Work by Ryan Anningson: In January 1902, Reverend Clarence Edgar Rice warned Americans of a religion that “both in theory and practice…degrades women,” practices “crass brutality” towards animals, and “goes hand-in-hand with vice…that blushes not at unspeakable… Read More ›
How Did Easter Become an Important Celebration?
Easter is the most important event in the Christian calendar, as it reflects the resurrection (and thus salvation offered) by Christ for all those who accept him. While this is true to many Christians today, the story of Easter is… Read More ›
How did Monotheism Develop?
While monotheism is seen as something that has derived from Judaism, the history of how monotheism became pervasive is complex. Integrating both historical and archaeological data, we find that the rise of monotheism has been influenced by key political events…. Read More ›
Why did the Reformation fail in Renaissance Italy?
Italy in the early modern period was one of the wealthiest areas of Europe. Italy had a very advanced and sophisticated culture. Many Italians were appalled by the corruption of the Church and there had been several movements that challenged… Read More ›
What Is the Legacy of the 1993 Waco Tragedy?
From February 29, through April 19, 1993 millions of Americans and people from all over the world were glued to their television sets as they watched the violent standoff between an obscure religious sect, known as the Branch Davidians, and… Read More ›
How did the Renaissance influence the Reformation?
The Renaissance placed human beings at the center of life and showed that this world was not just a ‘vale of tears.’ Instead, life on Earth could meaningful on its own and it was possible for people to live… Read More ›
History of God Top Ten Booklist
The concept of God and his historical development is an extraordinarily complex topic and it is not easily addressed in ten books. These books seek attempt to explain a complex story on how the concept of God, or single divine being,… Read More ›
Why was the worship of Mithra so popular?
Today the god Mithra or Mithras is not recognized by many in the West. Mithra is often seen as just one of the many gods that was once worshiped in Europe, the Near East, and South Asia. However, in the… Read More ›
