ReligionForBreakfast

Episodes

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  Can Your Religion Predict Your Politics? 10.10.2026 4m

  A recent study analyzed 130,000 religious leaders in the United States, mostly from Christian and Jewish denominations. The researchers compared their voting registration with their denominations, trying to find trends in each denomination. Some denominations swing hard in one direction (Democrat or Republican) while other denominations seem more evenly split. Uploaded 20-06-17Sources:New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/12/upshot/the-politics-of-americas-religious-leaders.htmlActual academic article: http://www.eitanhersh.com/uploads/7/9/7/5/7975685/hersh_malina_draft_061117.pdfTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfastPatreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFacebook. www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastMusic: Broke for Free, "My Luck"Thanks to our patrons on Patreon!:Brian BCassandra CDaniel DDerek KKalei WQuinn NRende DRoee SMegan BTuuli HAlex BJohn MDaniel HEsther BThe_Lich_QueenAdil AMason AMannyMark HAlice CWilsonCain D Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Why Strict Religions Succeed 10.10.2026 10m

  Across cultures, religious communities that expect more from their members thrive (or religious communities in which members face greater consequences for leaving). Meanwhile, lenient religious groups struggle to maintain membership. Why is this? Wouldn't you assume most people would want to join the easiest religion? Recent research suggests that strict religions are sociologically and psychologically predisposed to succeed.Uploaded 12-09-18Support Religion for Breakfast!:https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastpaypal.me/religionforbreakfastMy religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter @andrewmarkhenrySources and Bibliography:Connor Wood, "Ritual Well-Being: Toward a Social Signaling Model of Religion and Mental Health," Religion, Brain, and Behavior, 7:3, 223-243, 2017.L. Iannaccone. “Why Strict churches are Strong,” American Journal of Sociology, 99 (5), 1180-1211. W. Irons (2011). “Religion as a Hard-to-Fake Sign of Commitment. In Evolution and the Capacity for Commitment, 290-309.D.M. Kelley (1972). Why Conservative Churches are Growing. New York: Harper and BrownMontserrat Soler, “Costly Signaling, ritual and cooperation: Evidence from Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian Religion,” Evolution and Human Behavior, Volume 33, Issue 4, July 2012, 346-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2011.11.004 / https://www.montclair.edu/profilepages/media/3203/user/Soler2012.pdfSosis and Ruffle (2004). Ideology, religion, and the evolution of cooperation: Field Experiments on Israeli Kibbutzim. Research in Economic Anthropology, 23, 89-117.W.J. Wildman and Sosis (2011). “Stability Groups with Costly Beliefs and Practices.” Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 14 (3) 1-25. http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/14/3/6.htmlDimitris Xygatlatas, “Extreme Rituals Promote Prosociality,” Psychological Science, 24(8), 1602-1605, 2013.http://journals.sagepub.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/doi/10.1177/0956797612472910Vox article: “Mainline Churches are emptying. The political effects could be huge”: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/7/14/15959682/evangelical-mainline-voting-patterns-trumpDefinition of Strict Church Theory: http://www.thearda.com/rrh/bestpracticescenter/theories/theory14.aspConnor Wood blog post: “Why is Liberal Protestantism Dying Anyway?": http://www.patheos.com/blogs/scienceonreligion/2013/07/why-is-liberal-protestantism-dying-anyway/Another Connor Wood blog post: “Religion Builds Self Control and Excludes Outsiders Simultaneously," http://www.patheos.com/blogs/scienceonreligion/2016/08/religion-builds-self-control-and-excludes-outsiders-simultaneously/UCC Stats: http://uccfiles.com/pdf/Summary-Stats-1955-2013.pdfComputer modeling: http://www.bu.edu/today/2017/what-computer-modeling-can-tell-us-about-religion/PC USA stats: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/08/001-the-death-of-protestant-america-a-political-theory-of-the-protestant-mainlinePCA stats: http://www.pcaac.org/resources/pca-statistics-five-year-summary/Amish stats: https://www.citylab.com/equity/2012/08/exploding-amish-population-bubble/2795/LDS stats: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_historyPicture Attribution:Amish buggy: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amish_country.jpgBuggy and Car:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passing_Room_(8711992857).jpgCandomblé Priestesses: Antonio Milena, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candombl%C3%A9_Ketu#/media/File:Iyalorixas_da_Bahia-m%C3%A3e_Olga.jpeg Candomblé: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Caetit%C3%A9_baianas.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Who Is Satan in Islam? | Iblis Explained 10.10.2026 21m

  Watch 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 Uploaded 10-04-25In 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  666: What Does It REALLY Mean? 10.10.2026 7m

  666. The Devil's Number. The Mark of the Beast. But what does it REALLY mean? It actually is a secret code...Uploaded 13-06-19Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBibliography:Graffiti and Gematria in Early Christianity: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2012/04/22/graffiti-and-gematria-in-early-christianity/Lincoln Blumell, "Lettered Christians: Christians, Letters, and Late Antique Oxyrhynchus," 2012Christopher Frilingos, "Spectacles of Empire: Monsters, Martyrs, and the Book of Revelation," 2013. Elaine Pagels, Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation," 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Confucius Has Living Descendants? 10.10.2026 21m

  With my link, you can get 50% off of Nebula. It’s just $30/year, or $2,5/month, at https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch Lindsay Ellis' "The Macabre World of Bodycam YouTube:" https://nebula.tv/videos/lindsayellis-bodycam-youtube?ref=religionforbreakfast Uploaded 19-12-25Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersConfucius (possibly) has living descendants, and he is (also possibly) the patriarch of the longest documented family line in history. This video explores how that lineage survived 2,500 years of Chinese history, and why genealogy became a powerful political institution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Coptic Christianity Explained 10.10.2026 45m

  Want to learn Coptic? Join our 8-week Intro to Coptic course and start reading the Gospel of Thomas: https://www.religiondepartment.com/copticUploaded 24-06-25Special thanks to the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church Macon, GA for the Port Said icon footage. For the original footage, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUjqmUGxbfo&ab_channel=ArchangelMichaelCopticOrthodoxChuchMacon%2CGACoptic Orthodox Christianity is one of the oldest branches of Christianity, tracing its roots to first-century Egypt. This video explores its history, theology, saints, and unique traditions.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  This Is Not The Buddha (yet) 10.10.2026 16m

  Watch my tour of the Red Basilica on Nebula!: https://nebula.tv/videos/religionforbreakfast-sacred-spaces-inside-the-red-basilica-a-roman-temple-to-the-egyptian-gods?ref=religionforbreakfast Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfastUploaded 15-05-25Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersHe’s not the Buddha—but he might be a Buddha someday. Meet Budai: a 10th-century Chinese monk turned laughing folk hero, Zen trickster, and future Buddha in disguise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The History of Demons 10.10.2026 14m

  Watch Angela's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHDyHpQC-wc&feature=youtu.beUploaded 10-06-20Join 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/religionforbreakfastBibliography:Archie Wright, “Some Observations of Philo’s “De Gigantibus” and Evil Spirits in Second Temple Judaism,” Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman Period, Vol. 36, No. 4 (2005, 471-488. Dale Martin, “When Did Angels Become Demons?” Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 129, No 4 (Winter 2010), 657-677.David Frankfurter, “Master-Demons, Local Spirits, and Demonology in the Roman Mediterranean World: An Afterword to Rita Lucarelli,” Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Religions 11 (2011), 126-131. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Intro to Hanukkah 10.10.2026 17m

  Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastJoin my 15-person online seminars here: https://www.speakeasy.com/speaker/andrew-henryCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastUploaded 10-12-20Special thanks to co-writer Seth Weprin.Thanks also to Gavi Lazan of @Unpacked. Check out their channel for more videos on Judaism. Bibliography:Dianne Ashton, "Hanukkah in America: A History," 2013Jonathan Klawans and Lawrence Wills, The Jewish Annotated Apocrypha, 2020.Ran Abramitzky, “Is Hanukkah Responsive to Christmas?” with Liran Einav and Oren Rigbi,Economic Journal, 120, 612-630, June 2010Image Attributions (all public domain or CC):Hydraulic lift and Menorah, by wikimedia user Ted Eytan: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017.12.12_National_Menorah,_Washington,_DC_USA_1361_(38980511032).jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017.12.12_National_Menorah,_Washington,_DC_USA_1360_(38980499382).jpgIsraeli dreidels, by wikimedia user Adiel lo; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah#/media/File:Colorful_dreidels2.JPGLatke, by Wikimedia user Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Potato_latkes#/media/File:LatkeFry.JPGModel from Holy Land Museum in Jerusalem, Wikimedia user Ariely: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_in_Jerusalem#/media/File:Second_Temple.jpgAntiochus IV Coin by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc, CC-BY-SA 2.5: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Coins_of_Antiochus_IV#/media/File:Antiochos_IV_Epiphanes_face.pngMenorah, photo by Gil Dekel, wikimedia user 39james, CC BY-SA 4.0: Gelt pictures, Wikimedia User Evan-Amos, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chocolate-Gold-Coins.jpg Sfenj donut image, Wikimedia User Maor X: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sfenj#/media/File:Sfenj_sprinkled_with_sugar_and_served_on_a_plate.jpg Sephardis reading Torah, Wikimedia User Sagie Maoz: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Torah_Reading_Sephardic_custom.jpg Ethiopian Jew celebrating Sigd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sigd-27.11.08.jpg National Menorah and Washington Monument, Wikimedia User Ted Eytan: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Menorah_and_Tree_7677_(6560511695).jpg Hanukkah candles up close, Wikimedia user, RonAlmog: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D7%97%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%94_-_Hanukkah_(5235406326).jpg Hanukkah bush image, Wikimedia user, Jonah Green: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hanukkah_bush.jpg August Reidel painting, Wikimedia User, Yelkrokoyade: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Judith_-_August_Riedel_1840.jpg Impressive photograph juxtaposing National Menorah with National Christmas Tree, Wikimedia User Tim Evanson: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Menorah_and_National_Christmas_Tree_-_2014.jpg Menorah at Western wall, CC BY-2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerusalem_(8141581212).jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Biblically-Accurate Angels Explained 10.10.2026 16m

  Join my online class about ancient magic and guardian angels!: https://religionforbreakfast.eventbrite.com/Uploaded 02-02-23Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastBiblically-accurate Clippy was used with permission from the original artist. Check out the work by Evangeline Gallagher on Twitter: @egallagher_artAngel animations by @ECHenry You may have seen the memes about "biblically-accurate angels." These memes often emphasize the weird, visionary creatures mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Technically, though, 'biblically-accurate' angels also just look like humans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Who Was Asherah? (and was she God's wife?) 10.10.2026 36m

  Learn to read the Hebrew Bible in its original language. Live twelve-week class with Dr. Kipp Davis. Join here: https://www.religiondepartment.com/bookofjonahUploaded 19-05-26Was the God of Israel married? Inscriptions from the Sinai pair Yahweh with "his Asherah," a Canaanite mother goddess worshipped across the ancient Near East. Special thanks to Dr. Lauren McCormick. Check out her incredible web exhibit on the Judean Pillar Figurines here: https://laurmcco.github.io/judeanpillarfigurineexhibit/Follow her blogging at https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/author/lmccormick/00:00 Intro1:26 Athirat/Asherah in the Ugaritic Literature5:20 Asherah in the Hebrew Bible9:00 Sacred Trees, asherahs, and iconography14:10 Judean Pillar Figurines: Asherah or Not?18:53 Kuntillet Ajrud Inscription25:29 Was Asherah the wife of God?27:32 Erasure of Asherah in later translations29:59 Sign up for Biblical Hebrew! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Jerusalem Syndrome: Real or Not? 10.10.2026 5m

  Lots 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?Uploaded 18-04-18Support 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Didache | Another Book That Almost Made It Into the Bible? 10.10.2026 20m

  Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni.Uploaded 25-10-24Join 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Is Miyazaki Inspired By Shinto? 10.10.2026 16m

  Join my online seminars on ancient religion: https://www.speakeasy.com/speaker/andrew-henryOr, join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastUploaded 04-03-21One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastWatch Kaitlyn Ugoretz's new channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/EatPrayAnime/featuredBibliography:Boyd, James W. and Nishimura Tetsuya. “Shinto Perspectives in Miyazaki’s Anime Film ‘Spirited Away.’” Journal of Religion and Film 8.3 (2004): 1-14.Ogihara-Schuck, Eriko. Miyazaki’s Animism Abroad: The Reception of Japanese Religious Themes by American and German Audiences. Jefferson: McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, 2014. Thomas, Jolyon. Drawing on Tradition: Manga, Anime, and Religion in Contemporary Japan. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2012.Ugoretz, Kaitlyn. “As the Spirit Moves You: How Studio Ghibli Films Leave Room for A Range of Religious Interpretations.” Beneath The Tangles, 23 September. Available online: https://beneaththetangles.com/2019/09/23/studio-ghibli-films-leave-room-for-a-range-of-religious-interpretations/.Wright, Lucy. “Forest Spirits, Giant Insects and World Trees: The Nature Vision of Hayao Miyazaki.” The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 10.1 (2005): n.p. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Was Thomas Jefferson Religious? 10.10.2026 16m

  Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Be well informed. Download the free Ground News app at https://ground.news/religionforbreakfastUploaded 22-06-23Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastWhen Thomas Jefferson ran for president, his opponents attacked him as an atheist. But was this true? What did Jefferson believe?Select footage and images courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  John Green on Religion 10.10.2026 45m

  Don’t miss a lecture—sign up for email updates!: https://www.religiondepartment.com/subscribeWatch Crash Course: Religions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O77IFewBxcg&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNDV8GjzfScxgEe4OgIlh3c&ab_channel=CrashCourseUploaded 04-04-25Andrew Henry sits down with John Green to talk about religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Rise of Atheist Churches? 10.10.2026 13m

  Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastUploaded 27-08-19As religiously unaffiliated people become a larger and larger portion of the US population, scholars are noticing a rise in atheist/humanist/agnostic gatherings that mirror some of the characteristics of Christian churches (i.e. meeting on Sundays, participating in collective rituals such as singing). What can we learn about these gatherings? Can we call this a godless form of religiosity?Full interviews:Anthony Pinn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRdcfrFEBc&feature=youtu.beHouston Oasis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4OrJ6SIrEY&feature=youtu.beThis video was supported, in part, by Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion, funded by the Henry R. Luce Foundation and hosted by Northeastern University. They paid for my travel to Rice University.Follow me on Twitter @andrewmarkhenrySource on the US population of Nones: https://religionnews.com/2019/03/21/nones-now-as-big-as-evangelicals-catholics-in-the-us/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Cold War Origins of "In God We Trust" 10.10.2026 10m

  Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastUploaded 16-01-20The motto of the United States is: "In God We Trust." But the motto is a relatively recent invention, dating back to the 1950s. Why did the U.S. institute this motto, and what does it tell us about American identity and religion?Check out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Follow Dr. David McConeghy on Twitter: @dmcconeghySources:Truman's speech: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/speech-explaining-the-communist-threat/McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" speech: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6456/Graham sermon on Communism: https://www2.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/docs/bg-charlotte/0927.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Most Famous Extrabiblical Reference to Jesus: Authentic or Not? (Interview w/ Dr. Tom Schmidt) 10.10.2026 59m

  Live Webinar: "What Did Jesus Wear? A deep dive into ancient Jewish dress with ancient clothing expert Dr. Katie Turner. Register here: https://www.religiondepartment.com/jesus-wearUploaded 09-07-25To read Josephus and Jesus, get the open access book here: https://academic.oup.com/book/60034?login=falseDr. Tom Schmidt joins me to discuss his new book arguing that the famous Testimonium Flavianum, Josephus’ passage about Jesus, is authentic. We explore how ancient Christians read the text, new stylometric evidence, and what Josephus knew about Jesus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  How Star Wars Explains the New Testament Canon 10.10.2026 9m

  The development of the New Testament canon was fraught with debates. But it is hard to imagine why the formation of a canon caused so much controversy. Looking at modern fandoms, we can catch a glimpse at what is at stake when you institute a canon of authoritative sources. Uploaded 20-02-18This video is adapted from an old blogpost that I published in 2013: http://religionforbreakfast.com/2013/12/29/how-early-christian-canon-resembles-star-wars-fandom/Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastwww.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastAndrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Bibliography:David Brakke, "Canon Formation and Social Conflict in Fourth-Century Egypt: Athanasius of Alexandria's Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter," The Harvard Theological Review, Vol. 87, No. 4, 395-419.Krista Dalton, "Using Harry Potter to Construct a Canon," Ancient Jew Review, http://www.ancientjewreview.com/articles/2017/7/31/using-harry-potter-to-construct-a-canonCredits:Hyperspace jump from CNCcamon1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5W3afhgOlYMusic by Kevin MacLeod: www.incompetech.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices