Culture & Traditions

Whether your taste runs spooky or silly, if you're willing to get your hands dirty, a pumpkin can be the perfect canvas to express your Halloween style.

By Tracy V. Wilson

A recently declassified U.S. government study says the Iraq war has become a uniting cause for "Muslim jihadists."

By Julia Layton

When you really think about it, kissing is pretty gross -- it's rooted in saliva and mucous membranes. Yet anthropologists report that 90 percent of the people in the world kiss. So what's all the fuss about?

By Tracy V. Wilson

If you've ever seen costumed people with weapons covered in duct tape, then you've made contact with LARPers. Part battle, part story-telling, the Live Action Role Playing trend began in the 1960s and is still growing thanks to the continued popularity of fantasy and science fiction.

By Tracy V. Wilson

In this article, we'll separate fact from propaganda and learn what a cult actually is, see what practices characterize a destructive cult and investigate some of the more notable cult incidents in recent history.

By Julia Layton

Learn about the hardware behind animated tattoos, how they are implanted into the body and explore some of the safety issues associated with animated tattoos.

By Robert Valdes

The best-selling novel "Memoirs of a Geisha" depicts life as a geisha in Japan in the World War II era. But it is a work of fiction. Find out who and what a geisha is and how they fit into Japanese culture.

By Julia Layton

The public debate between Christian creationism and evolution has heated up once again in the United States. Learn about the different forms of Christian creationism and find out what's fueling the controversy.

By Julia Layton

How does intelligent design explain the origins of life? Does it fit the criteria of a scientific theory, or is it religious dogma in a scientific wrapper? In this article, we'll examine intelligent design and the controversy it has generated.

By Julia Layton

"Pistols at dawn!" The challenge is issued. To turn it down would leave you marked a coward for life. You meet at the chosen spot. You could be severely wounded or killed today. Why is all this happening? Because you made fun of his hat.

By Ed Grabianowski

Reno is known as the divorce capital because of the "quickie divorce" a couple can get there. What is a quickie divorce and what does it have to do with Reno? Find out in this article.

By Lee Ann Obringer

Are divorces easier to get now than they used to be? What are the types of divorce, the procedures, and what's involved in the final divorce agreement? We'll explore mediation as an alternative to litigation and see what it takes to get a DIY divorce.

By Lee Ann Obringer

If you've ever been in love, you've probably at least considered classifying the feeling as an addiction. And guess what? You're right — it's the same chemical process taking place.

By Lee Ann Obringer & Michelle Konstantinovsky

Gone are the days when flirtation and romance were to be found in bars and grocery store produce aisles. Online dating is the much hipper -- and more common -- way to go these days.

By Ed Grabianowski

Are you bored with the commercialism of the Christmas holidays? Do you find tinsel distracting? Is there a large aluminum pole collecting dust in your crawlspace? If you answered yes to all of the above then Festivus is for you!

By Matt Hunt

Witchcraft dates back countless centuries, and with all of the mythology floating around, it's hard to decipher fact from fiction. Do witches worship Satan? Do they cast spells? Find out about witchcraft.

By Lee Ann Obringer

The Menorah is a symbol of the Hanukkah holiday. The candles are lit on each day of the holiday. Where did this tradition start and what do the candles represent? Find out the answer in this article.

By Allison Klein

The holiday of Kwanzaa is a time to honor African traditions. It lasts seven days, uses seven symbols and sets forth seven ideals. How is it celebrated?

By Stephanie Watson

The legend of the samurai continues to permeate our culture, with countless movies and TV shows dedicated to the subject. How much of what we know about the samurai is truth and how much is myth?

By Ed Grabianowski & Chris Pollette

Secretive and silent, the ninja strikes fear into the hearts of peasants and emperors alike. Today, the ninja has become a legendary, cult-like figure, showing up in computer games, children's cartoons and martial-arts action films.

By Ed Grabianowski

Catholics around the world have welcomed Pope Francis. Besides providing spiritual leadership to millions worldwide, the pope has many other duties. Learn about the rules of the Papacy.

By Kevin Bonsor & Dave Roos

The national American holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. falls on the third Monday in January. Learn about the life and work of this legendary civil rights activist.

By Katherine Neer

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah celebrates a very special triumph over religious persecution, when the Jews were able to escape oppression at the hands of Antiochus, a Syrian king.

By Allison Klein

In Islam, Ramadan is the holiest time of the year. For a month, Muslims fast during daylight hours to show their devotion to Allah. Find out what Ramadan is all about.

By Allison Klein

Yom Kippur is marks the end of a 10-day period during which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins so they can make a fresh start. It's considered to be the holiest day of the Jewish year.

By Katherine Neer