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Religion & Spirituality
Religion and Spirituality is an important element of every culture. Learn more about world religions and spiritual practices in both Eastern and Western cultures.
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The Late Ram Dass, Renowned Spiritual Leader, Lives on Through His Teachings
By the time Richard Alpert died in 2019, he was better known as Baba Ram Dass and had become a spiritual teacher, psychedelic research pioneer, best-selling author and New Age guru to millions of followers.
What Rumi, the World's Most Popular Poet, Wants to Teach Us, 800 Years Later
Born in 1207 as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, the Sufi mystic and Persian poet wrote a staggering amount of verse, and is still beloved and widely influential to this day.
Beyond the Oats Box: 9 Facts About Quakers
The most famous Quaker (the one on the oats box) is not even a real person. And this religious group, best known for its pacifism, has had much success in a sweeter area of food: chocolate!
The Angel of Death Has One Job, and He Does It Well
In TV shows and movies, sometimes an angel of death appears to tell some unfortunate soul their time on Earth is over. But where did this idea come from? And what if you tell the angel, "I'm not ready?"
10 Big Questions About Hinduism, Answered
Are Hindus polytheistic? Do they worship cows? And how does yoga fit into this religion? We answer some of the most-asked questions around Hinduism.
What Is a Shaman and Can Anyone Become One?
The practice of shamanism has mystical and spiritual connotations, but it's not tied to any specific religion or creed. So, what exactly is shamanism?
A Short History of Hell
In the popular imagination, hell is depicted as a place of fire, presided over by Satan dressed in red and holding a pitchfork. But depictions of hell have actually evolved over time.
6 Things Mormons Wish Non-Mormons Knew About Their Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more widely known as the Mormon church, can generate a lot of questions: Is there really special underwear? Is it a cult? We bust some myths.
What Is the Rasta Movement All About?
It started out as a small movement in Jamaica that went worldwide with the popularity of reggae music. Today you can find Rastafarians on every continent. But what is Rastafari really all about?
Who Decided Which Books to Include in the Bible?
The books that make up the Bible were written over a span of 1,000 years. During that time, many other religious writings were also produced. So, who decided which would be part of the Bible and which would be left out?
A Heavenly Angels Quiz
Halos and robes and wings are how most people think of angels, but these heavenly beings are actually a lot more complex than their popular image. How much do you know about angels' roles, ranks and responsibilities? Take our quiz to find out!
Pope to List Nuclear Weapons as Immoral After Visiting Japan
It's one thing to say it. It's another thing to update the church's official instruction book.
What Is a Mandala? (No, Not Nelson. That's Mandela)
The intricate, circular design of the mandala is used in many religions and cultures to symbolically represent the cosmos and the organizational structure of life itself.
The Law of Attraction: Will the Universe Give You What You Want?
Many people are attracted to the principles behind the Law of Attraction as one way to have a better life. But does it really work?
How Pentecostal Churches Took Over the World
In about 100 years, Pentecostalism went from a startup renewal movement to the second-largest Christian denomination in the world, bested only by Catholics. What caused that astonishing rise?
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby: The Mind Can Heal the Body
His theories about the mind's ability to affect the body influenced Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science.
What's the Difference Between Agnosticism and Atheism?
People often think agnostics and atheists believe the same things. Where do their positions overlap and where do they differ?
10 Big Questions About Buddhism, Answered
What's the point of meditation? Are all Buddhists vegetarians and pacifists? What do we misunderstand about Karma? Find out more about Buddhism in our article.
What Is Lent, and Why Do Christians Give Up Something for It?
Christians often "give up something for Lent" but why? What is the real reason behind the season?
What Does It Really Mean to Have an 'Existential Crisis'?
An existential crisis is different from anxiety over a really difficult decision or even a case of major depression. It's having the thing that gives your life meaning and structure completely shattered.
Lily Dale: Where the Living and Dead Reconnect
This tiny village in upstate New York has been channeling spirits since the 1800s.
Anti-Semitic Incidents in U.S. Surged 57 Percent in 2017
The Anti-Defamation League identified nearly 2,000 anti-Semitic incidents throughout the U.S. in 2017 — an increase of nearly 60 percent over those in 2016. And for the first time since 2010, one occurred in every state.
What Is Einstein's 'God Letter'?
The famous 1954 letter in which Albert Einstein rejected the concept of God was sold at Christie's auction house for $2.9 million.
Early Scottish Monks Were Gamers
In the search for a lost monastery in Scotland, archaeologists came across an unexpected find – an ancient stone game board.
That Fat, Jolly Fella Isn't Buddha
That plump statue of a 'Laughing Buddha,' often seen in Chinese restaurants, has little to do with the ascetic founder of Buddhism. So how did the two get conflated?
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