ReligionForBreakfast
ReligionForBreakfast
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ReligionForBreakfast is an educational channel dedicated to the academic, nonsectarian study of religion. It aims to improve public religious literacy by exploring beliefs and rituals through anthropological, sociological, and archaeological perspectives. The show does not endorse any particular religious tradition. The host, Dr. Andrew M. Henry, is a scholar of religious studies focusing on early Christianity and late Roman religion, with a PhD from Boston University.
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Who Were the Last Pagans of Europe? 21.09.2026 36minIf Europe's "last pagans" sparked your curiosity, join other curious learners for an 8-week seminar exploring modern Pagan traditions with scholar Thorn Mooney: https://www.religiondepartment.com/contemporarypaganismEurope was supposedly Christian by the Middle Ages, but the reality is more complicated. From the Sámi in Fennoscandia to the Baltic countryside, sacred groves, sacrifices, and animist traditions survived into the modern era.00:00 Intro1:43 Who are these people groups?4:22 Unchristianized society, Christianization, creolization, syncretism14:48 Case Study: Estonian Paganism25:31 Why the slow Christianization in Estonia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Americans Exaggerate How Often They Go to Church 21.09.2026 17minCompare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfastNew research using smartphone location data reveals a massive gap between how often Americans say they attend religious services and how often they actually do. Are surveys wrong? Are memories fuzzy? Here's what the data really shows about religion in America.The article: Devin Pope, BFI Working Paper·May 8, 2024, "Religious Worship Attendance in America: Evidence from Cellphone Data," https://bfi.uchicago.edu/working-paper/religious-worship-attendance-in-america-evidence-from-cellphone-data/Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro00:43 Problems with self-reported surveys2:20 How the Smartphone Study Worked5:12 The Results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Holi Explained | The Hindu Festival of Colors 21.09.2026 22minUse code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni.Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, celebrates love, spring, and the victory of good over evil. But its meaning is deeper than just throwing bright powders.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Grimoires Explained: Manuals of Magic 21.09.2026 25minRegister for our online class "What Does It Mean To Be a Witch?" https://religionforbreakfast.eventbrite.com/In this video, we explore the history of grimoires, manuals of magic, that shaped magical practices from ancient Egypt to modern witchcraft. Discover how these spellbooks and magical textbooks held esoteric knowledge and influenced occult traditions for centuries.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro and Basics1:56 Grimoires as Elite Texts6:31 The Magic of Writing11:12 The Democratization of Grimoires and Contemporary Witchcraft16:25 The Dematerialization of the Grimoire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What is Atheism? 21.09.2026 24minJoin our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastThis video was made possible through the support of Grant 61928 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by The Queen’s University of Belfast. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or The Queen’s University of Belfast. Production Team:Producers: Andrew Aghapour, Andrew HenryWriters: Rachel Carbonara, Andrew Henry, Evan StewartConsultant Scholar: Hugh TurpinEditor: Lachlan DavisProduction Assistant: Casey A'HearnThumbnail art by @hotcyder Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro1:25 Complicating the basic definition6:20 Diversity of atheism and nonreligion8:03 Atheism as a worldview and identity11:59 More on Atheism as a social identity15:34 Patreon plug Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why the Amish Are Basically Immune to Allergies 21.09.2026 18minCompare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfastJoin our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersWhy do Amish kids have some of the lowest allergy rates ever recorded? Scientists discovered surprising clues in their barns, dust, and way of life, revealing how religion, farming, and community shape health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How Japanese Religion Influenced Pokémon 21.09.2026 9minMost people know that Pokémon is a Japanese video game, but did you know that many Pokémon designs were influenced by Japanese religion, mythology, and folklore? If you look closely, you can see Shintoism and Buddhism throughout the entire franchise. This show is funded by generous fans like you! Check out our Patreon campaign if you would like to support us too: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations can be sent to: paypal.me/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter @andrewmarkhenryFacebook at: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastBibliography: Karen Ann Smyers (1999). The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.Michael Dylan Foster, "The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore, " 2015Michael Dylan Foster, "Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yokai," 2009Helen Hardacre, "Shinto: A History," 2017Most photographs and video from Japan was shot by my brother EC Henry. Check out his channel at https://www.youtube.com/echenry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Americans Are Religious About America 21.09.2026 11minJoin our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast American Civil Religion Episode 1: "Americans Are Religious About America."This episode is an introduction to American Civil Religion. It launches a 5-part series on the topic. Basically, American Civil Religion is when Americans are religious about America. The series argues that Americans are being religious when they create and curate American identity and ideals. Stay tuned for future episodes. Follow me on Twitter at: @andrewmarkhenrySpecial thanks to the Foundation for Religious Literacy for sponsoring this series: https://tfrl.org/Thanks to Dr. David McConeghy for researching and writing this episode! Follow him on Twitter at: @dmcconeghyReferenced videos:Coca-Cola is a Religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTVC2uVGEL0&t=118sWhat is Religion?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KHDR8jdbAImage credits:National Anthem protest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._national_anthem_protests_(2016%E2%80%93present)#/media/File:Oakland_Raiders_National_Anthem_Kneeling_(37444579735).jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Didache | Another Book That Almost Made It Into the Bible? 21.09.2026 23minUse code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersThe Didache is one of the most ancient Christian texts...possibly even predating some of the books in the New Testament! It gives us an unparalleled glimpse into the social dynamics of early Christian churches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Does Humanity Still Believe in Magic? 21.09.2026 11minAs far as science and technology goes, the 21st century is an exciting time to be alive. We are curing more and more diseases. We are developing better and better space travel. Some see these advances as evidence that religion and magic are losing their influence on society. Magic especially has been viewed as a debunked "proto-science" with little credibility in modernity. But sociological data suggests that many humans still practice and believe in magic. Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Check out the Myth of Disenchantment here: https://amzn.to/2sTnwDxI have collated more of my favorite books here: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastSources:Jason Josephson-Storm, "The Myth of Disenchantment"The Atlantic, "The New Age of Astrology,”: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/01/the-new-age-of-astrology/550034/WBUR, For Millenials, Astrology is on the Rise: http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/01/18/for-millennials-astrology-is-on-the-risePew Research, Is God Dead?: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/07/is-god-dead-no-but-belief-has-declined-slightly/ Psychic Service Industry research: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibisworld-industry-market-research-the-us-psychic-services-industry-is-expected-to-earn-revenue-of-21-billion-in-2016-300383816.htmlhttp://www.businessinsider.com/professionals-turn-to-psychics-in-uncertain-economy-2013-11Images:Alchemical writings: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=newton+alchemy&title=Special:Search&go=Go&searchToken=83va3mytrl3rl1kz1jdm8fo1f#/media/File:Isaac_Newton_alchemical_manuscript_page_AQ17_(2).jpgSeance image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism#/media/File:Helen_Duncan_fake_ectoplasm.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What is Diwali? 20.09.2026 20minGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfastWatch Cogito here: https://nebula.tv/videos/cogito-yt-what-is-hinduism?ref=religionforbreakfastJoin our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastSign-up for my classes list to be notified of online classes: https://classes.religionforbreakfast.com/Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It is celebrated mostly by Hindus, but many Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists recognize Diwali as well. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.00:00 The Basics: When and what?2:49 Day 1: Dhanteras3:18 Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi4:17 Day 3: Lakshmi Puja5:44 Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut / Bali Pratipada7:37 Day 5: Bhai Dooj7:47 Diversity of Practice9:49 Diwali Outside of Hinduism10:26 Origins and Mythological Narratives12:35 Diwali Outside of IndiaSelect images courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How I Became a Religious Studies Researcher 20.09.2026 9minInspired by Simon Clark's call for his subscribers to post "How I Became a Researcher" videos, I'm posting a short biographical sketch of my journey from a history Bachelors student to a religious studies PhD candidate. Hope you enjoy!Support the show over at https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Simon Clark's Vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOhyZ8FYCmw&t=165sCuneiform Digital Library Initiative: http://cdli.ucla.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Who Is Satan in Islam? | Iblis Explained 20.09.2026 24minWatch my interview with Dr. Ali Olomi on Nebula!: https://nebula.tv/videos/religionforbreakfast-what-are-jinn-interview-with-dr-ali-olomi?ref=religionforbreakfast Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast In Islam, Satan isn’t a fallen angel—but a jinn named Iblīs. This video explores his story in the Qurʾān, his role as tempter and adversary, and how scholars and mystics have interpreted him for over 1,400 years. Who is the Devil in Islam?Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro to Iblis the Adversary3:48 The Quranic Story of Iblis8:07 What is Iblis?12:42 Later Mystical and Philosophical Interpretations14:49 Folklore16:32 Nebula is awesome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Egyptian Goddess that Rome Adopted 20.09.2026 26minWatch Dr. Angela Puca's video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIv8px318gw&ab_channel=Angela%27sSymposiumSupport us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastThumbnail art by @hotcyder Bibliography:Birgitte Bøgh, "Beyond Nock: From Adhesion to Conversion in the Mystery Cults," History of Religions, Vol. 54, No. 3 (Feb 2015), 260-287.John Kloppenborg, "Rethinking Nock on Conversion," in "Celebrating Arthur Darby Nock," 2021.Giulia Gasparro, "The Hellenistic face of Isis: Cosmic and Saviour Goddess," in "Nile into Tiber" edited by Bricault et. al. 2007.Molly Swetnam-Burland, "Egyptian objects, Roman contexts: A taste for aegyptiaca in Italy," in "Nile into Tiber" edited by Bricault et. al. 2007.Jaime Alvar, "Romanising Oriental Gods," Brill: 2008.Jan Bremmer, "Initiation into the Mysteries of the Ancient World," De Gruyter: 2014.00:00 Intro1:14 Goddess Isis in Egypt2:30 Intro to Mystery Cults4:24 The Mystery Cult of Isis6:08 Isis: A Cosmic and Savior God8:55 Isaic Rituals12:45 Conversion and Mystery Cults16:17 Patreon PitchSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why is Christmas on December 25th? 20.09.2026 11minEveryone assumes that early Church authorities chose December 25th for Christmas to coincide with the already popular Roman holiday of Saturnalia. This may have some basis in reality, but there is another theory: That Christians believed Jesus was conceived and died on the same day (sometime in March or April). When you calculate 9 months forward from that purported day of conception, you get December 25th or January 6th. For more reading, see: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/how-december-25-became-christmas/Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comMusic: Kevin MacLeod incompetech.comGraphic Design: Chris Maghintay, http://www.chrismaghintay.com/Animation: EC Henry, www.echenry.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jerusalem Syndrome: Real or Not? 20.09.2026 5minLots of people have heard of Jerusalem Syndrome...the phenomenon of tourists suddenly having religiously-themed psychotic episodes upon visiting Jerusalem. But is this a real mental condition?Support the show on Patreon!: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFollow on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastInsta: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Sources:Louise Howard (ed.), Kalian and Witztum, "Comments on Jerusalem Syndrome." British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176Moshe Kalian and Eliezer Witztum, “Jerusalem Syndrome as reflected in the pilgrimage and biographies of four extraordinary women from the 14th century to the end of the second millennium.” Mental Health, Religion and Culture, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2002. Yair Bar-El et. al. “Jerusalem Syndrome,” British Journal of Psychiatry, (2000), 176, 86-90.Samson episode: http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/13/world/what-makes-samson-run-amok-he-s-manic-in-jerusalem.htmlMoshe Kalian and Eliezer Witztum, "The management of Pilgrims with Malevolent Behavior in a Holy Space: A study of Jerusalem Syndrome,” chapter 8 in Maria Leppakari et. al. (eds.) Pilgrimage and Tourism to Holy Cities: Ideological and Management Perspectives 2017 Tourist Figures: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/More-tourists-visit-Israel-in-2017-thaa-ever-before-522665 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Korean Shamanism Explained 20.09.2026 30minGet Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfastKorean Shamanism (Musok) is a dynamic religious tradition rooted in spirit mediation, ritual healing, and ancestral veneration.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Basic overview1:25 What is Shamanism?5:46 Shamanic Deities Explained7:38 Who are the shamans?12:40 Shamanism in Korea's religious landscape14:25 Why the stigma?18:26 Korean Shamanism in the 21st c.21:37 Sign up for Nebula! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Dalai Lama Explained: The Last Lama? 20.09.2026 9minThe Dalai Lama, the spiritual and [formerly] political leader of the Tibetan people. But what even is the Dalai Lama? And if he gets his way, will he be the last one?Check out Step Back History's video "What do Buddhists Believe?" for an overview!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8m8ur_tE1oBecome a member of our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastYou can also donate to the show at: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastFor religious studies book recommendations, see: https://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastFollow me on:Twitter @andrewmarkhenrywww.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastBibliography:BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-30510018NYT Magazine: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/magazine/the-last-dalai-lama.htmlIntroduction to Tibetan Buddhism: https://books.google.com/books?id=cy980CH84mEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intro+to+tibetan+buddhism&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH0bCb0svgAhWDZd8KHfbCDX0QuwUILTAA#v=onepage&q=reincarnation&f=falseDalai Lama's address on his reincarnation: https://www.dalailama.com/messages/retirement-and-reincarnation/reincarnation Chinese Government Spokesperson on the Dalai Lama's succession: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1465639.shtml Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why did the Romans Persecute Christians? 20.09.2026 11minIt is common knowledge that the Romans killed Christians in the first few centuries of the new religion's history. But we don't often ask why. What was it about Christianity that made the Romans want to persecute it?Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Music: Kevin MacLeodFurther Reading:Beard, Mary. Religions of Rome. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998).Moss, Candida. The Myth of Persecution. (HarperCollins, 2013). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What is the Hagia Sophia? 20.09.2026 10minJoin our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastThe Hagia Sophia is a super famous building in Istanbul. Officially, at least according to the Turkish government, it is a museum. But it was originally built as a church and then was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. So what is it? Church, mosque, or museum?Follow me on Twitter at: @andrewmarkhenryI'm a current fellow with the Foundation for Religious Literacy, a nonsectarian philanthropic organization dedicated to the academic study of religion. They are supporting my work on Religion for Breakfast during 2019-2020. Check out their work here: https://tfrl.org/Thumbnail photo credit: Arild VågenSources: Erdogan and converting back to mosque: https://www.apnews.com/9d7a4644abb04b9788c1ba37ec71c4ac ; https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-election-museum/turkeys-erdogan-says-he-plans-to-change-hagia-sophias-title-from-museum-to-mosque-idUSKCN1RA1ZBStructural integrity of Hagia Sophia including Rob Ousterhout and Stephen Kelley quotes: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-monumental-struggle-to-preserve-hagia-sophia-92038218/Bissera Pentcheva, Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space, and Spirit in Byzantium (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2017)Eve Avdoulos, "Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia: Challenges of Managing Sacred Places" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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