EducationReligion & SpiritualityScience

ReligionForBreakfast

An educational channel dedicated to the academic, nonsectarian study of religion. We promote improving the public's religious literacy by exploring humanity's beliefs and rituals through an anthropological, sociological, and archaeological lens.

Religion for Breakfast does not endorse any particular religious tradition or non-religious perspective. Please be respectful in the comments!

The host, Dr. Andrew M. Henry, is a scholar of religious studies. His research focus is early Christianity and late Roman religion. He earned his PhD at Boston University. Follow him on Twitter @andrewmarkhenry.
fan Made. no infringement intended.

Links:
Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewmarkhenry
Blog: http://www.religionforbreakfast.com

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Today · 9 min
What is the Difference Between Theology and Religious Studies?
Theology and Religious Studies...do you know the difference? Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Design: Chris Maghintay http://www.chrismaghintay.com/ Animation: EC Henry www.echenry.com Music: Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Attributions: Amish picture: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Amish#/media/File:2006-07-29_-_07_-_Road_Trip_-_Day_06_-_United_States_-_Wyoming_-_Yellowstone_National_Park_-_Waiting_4888671147.jpg Huckabee photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mike_Huckabee#/media/File:Gov-Huckabee-001.jpg Religion population graphic: http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 14 min
Is Religion Biologically Hardwired?
Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Religion is a social thing. It involves beliefs and practices passed on from generation to generation as an integral part of culture. But is there a biological default to religion hardwired in the brain of homo sapiens? For religious studies book recommendations, see: https://amazon.com/shop/religionforbr... Follow me on: Twitter @andrewmarkhenry www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Bibliography: Science on Religion: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/scienceonreligion/2013/12/is-religion-anthropomorphism/ Patrican and Burris, “Am I the Stone? Overattribution of Agency and Religious Orientation,” Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 2012, Vol 4, No. 4, 312-323. Harris and Fiske: https://sites.duke.edu/flaubertsbrain/files/2012/08/Harris-and-Fiske-The-Brooms-in-Fantasia.pdf Steven Mithen, "Prehistory of the Mind," 2002. Justin Barrett, Cognitive Science Religion and Theology: From Human Minds to Divine Minds, Templeton Press, 2011. Marc Andersen: https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.bu.edu/doi/full/10.1080/2153599X.2017.1378709 “Learned Faith: The influence of evolved cultural learning mechanisms on belief in Gods. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 7(4), 327-335. Lanman, J. A., & Buhrmester, M. D. (2017). Religious actions speak louder than words: Exposure to credibility-enhancing displays predicts theism. Religion, Brain & Behavior, 7(1), 3–16. Willard, A. K., & Cingl, L. (2017). Testing theories of secularization and religious belief in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Evolution and Human Behavior, 38(5), 604–615. Jonathan Lanman, “On The Nature and Future of Agency Detection and Religion,” Religion Brain and Behavior, 2018. Pascal Boyer, Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought, 2001 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 13 min
What is the Dome of the Rock?
The Dome of the Rock is one of the most iconic buildings in the world and one of the most sacred buildings for Muslims today. But what is the Dome of the Rock? What is its history? Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Check out my religious studies book recommendations at: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Bibliography: Rina Avner, "The Dome of the Rock in Light of the Development of Concentric Martyria in Jerusalem: Architecture and Architectural Iconography," Jodi Magness, “The Archaeology of the Holy Land," Cambridge University Press, 2012. Oleg Grabar, "The Dome of the Rock," Harvard University Press, 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 4 min
500 Subscribers!
500 subscribers! Thank you everyone! Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 38 min
Akhenaten: The First Monotheist? | Atenism
Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch City Beautiful’s video on Cairo on Nebula!: https://nebula.tv/videos/citybeautiful-cairos-history-roman-fortress-to-modern-megacity?ref=religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Akhenaten was an Egyptian Pharaoh back in the 1300s BCE who upended the religious landscape of ancient Egypt. Within years of ascending the throne, he turned away from traditional Egyptian polytheism to the worship of a single god: The Aten. Was this an early form of monotheism? Select footage and images courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 10 min
History of Halloween: Pagan or Christian?
Halloween was not always a holiday of candy, costumes, and parties. Its history stretches back almost two thousand years. But what is this history? And what extent can we call Halloween a Christian holiday...if at all? Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Thanks to our Patrons on Patreon!!: Brian B. Daniel D. Kalei W. Alex B. Mark H. Alice C. Wilson Cain D. Bibliography and image credits: Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, 2002. Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life, 1994. Souling picture: https://archive.org/details/cheshiresheafbe01browgoog Oengusso calendar: https://ia802604.us.archive.org/10/items/martyrologyofoen29oenguoft/martyrologyofoen29oenguoft.pdf Halloween Frolics painting: http://artuk.org/discover/artworks/halloween-frolics-189976 Guy Fawkes Effigy pic: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:November_Effigies_(6833391028).jpg Most other images came from Stephen Reid. An artist from the early 20th century who specialized in paintings of Celtic mythology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 30 min
Why Ancient Christian Artists Gave Jesus a "Magic" Wand
Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Ancient Christian art often shows Jesus holding what looks like a magic wand. Was he being portrayed as a magician? This video explores the cultural meaning behind these images, and what they reveal about early Christian views of power and miracles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 38 min
Why Fictional Magic Systems Feel So Fake
Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code RELIGION2 will get the first month for free on me: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/join/2 If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission supporting Brazil’s Xingu region: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/m29/2 Thumbnail by @ECHenry 00:00 Intro 1:24 Part 1: Magic is Mundane 8:39 Part 2: Magic as a Profession? 14:10 Part 3: Magic as Energy? 22:08 Part 4: Good vs. Evil 27:47 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 9 min
Saint Patrick: First Missionary to Ireland or Not?
Saint Patrick was a real guy...a 5th century bishop to the Christian communities in Ireland. But the notion that he was the FIRST Christian missionary to Ireland is actually not true. Christianity was in Ireland decades before Patrick's career. Twitter: @andrewmarkhenr Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Thanks to our Patreon Patrons!: Brian Daniel Derek Kalei Tuuli Alex John Adil Mason Mark Alice Wilson Cain Check out St. Patrick's "Confessio:" http://www.confessio.ie/etexts/epistola_english# Photo Attributions: Celtic statue: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Celts#/media/File:Keltenf%C3%BCrst_Glauberg_Gesicht_2.jpg Celtic bowl: Credit to Malene Thyssen. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gundestrupkarret1.jpg Leprechaun picture and Parade picture: Credit to Daniel Ramirez at Waikiki St. Patricks Day Parade Lullingstone Villa image: Credit to Captmondo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LullingstonVilla-Kent_Interior_May2001.jpg Lullingstone Villa Fresco: Credit to user Udimu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lullingstone_paintings2.jpg Celtic Viking pic: Credit to user Noah Sachs. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Irish_Viking_at_the_Whiskey_Priest,_Boston,_Massachusetts.JPG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 9 min
What is Ritual?
"Ritual." We all think we know what it means...right? Ritual, though, is a lot more complicated than you think. Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Thanks to our Patreon patrons!: Brian B Dan D Alex B John M Wilson Cain D Manny Mark H Image Attributions: Fasting Buddha: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fasting_Buddha#/media/File:Siddhartha_Gautama_meditating.PNG https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Prayer_in_art#/media/File:Teodor_Axentowicz,_Anachoreta.jpg wedding: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Marriage#/media/File:%22The_Moldavian_wedding%22_(the_end_of_60th_years)._(6149079487).jpg Orthodox Eucharist: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Eucharist#/media/File:%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5_%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%83%D1%8E%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%85_(1801436812).jpg Eucharist portions: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Communion_Baptist.jpg Army priest: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Eucharist#/media/File:US_Navy_041024-N-6495K-028_Chaplain_Lt._John_Burnette_prays_over_the_Blood_and_Body_of_Christ_during_Sunday_Roman_Catholic_Mass_aboard_the_Nimitz-class_aircraft_carrier_USS_Harry_S._Truman_(CVN_75).jpg Altar pic: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Eucharist#/media/File:StJamesAltar.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 26 min
The Jade Emperor: The Daoist God Who Out-Buddha’d the Buddha?
Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni. The Jade Emperor is one of the most important gods in Chinese religion, but he didn’t start that way. This video traces his rise from mortal prince to cosmic ruler, his role in Daoism and popular religion, and his surprising rivalry with the Buddha. Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 29 min
Does the Bible Really Say Give 10% of Your Money? | Tithing Explained
Send cash directly to families in need, no strings attached: https://www.givedirectly.org/religion The opinions expressed in this video are mine and written by me. They are not the opinions of the charity GiveDirectly, who sponsored this video to spread the word about their work. 00:00 What is Tithing? 3:57 Tithing in the Ancient Near East 9:23 Voluntary Tithes in Hebrew Bible 10:49 Obligatory Tithes in Hebrew Bible 17:45 Harmonization of the Tithe Laws 19:52 GiveDirectly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 12 min
Exorcism Gaining Popularity in the USA?
More and more people are requesting exorcisms from Catholic priests in the U.S. according to a recent article in The Atlantic. What gives? Is this phenomenon actually happening? And if so, why? Andrew and Dr. Jason-Josephson-Storm team up to determine the sociological reasons behind this uptick in an age-old ritual. Full interview here: https://youtu.be/Y8jUsOv7QX4 Join our Patreon community at: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations can be sent to: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Interested in Jason's book The Myth of Disenchantment? Check it out and other books from Andrew's recommendation list at Amazon here: https://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Follow me on: Twitter @andrewmarkhenry www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Sources: American Exorcism, The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/12/catholic-exorcisms-on-the-rise/573943/ WBUR Interview with Lampert: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/04/20/exorcisms-demand-catholic-priest Rise in Italy sources: https://theconversation.com/the-vatican-the-exorcists-and-the-return-of-the-devil-in-a-time-of-enchantment-92575 https://www.vaticannews.va/it/chiesa/news/2018-02/esorcismo-corsi-roma-palermo-demonio.html) https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/03/06/demonic-activity-is-on-the-rise-in-italy-says-exorcist/ Rise in U.K. Exorcisms source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43697573 Pope Francis quote: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html Vatican demonology course: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43697573 Kirsty Rowan and Karen Dwyer, "Demonic Possession and Deliverance in the Diaspora: Phenomenological Descriptions from Pentecostal Deliverees:" https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13674676.2015.1077211?casa_token=aYTVkb0Zb3QAAAAA:wQZZKUQCjINqlMmc2M2e-P0GmYjUFQLSfSckZVKRU_QmJcT8gXKwQSHG6yA1BOlVz5jKjaiCSsI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 15 min
The Gen Z “Religious Revival” Isn’t Real
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 Headlines claim Gen Z is leading a religious revival—but major surveys show something very different. This video breaks down the data, the myths, and why America is experiencing a plateau, not a comeback. Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 31 min
What Fantasy Gets Wrong About Sacred Groves
Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code RELIGION1 will get the first month for free on me: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/join If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission in Tanzania: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/m33 Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Fantasy loves sacred groves as untouched relics of a lost world. This video shows what scholars actually find on the ground, and why sacred groves thrive not through isolation, but through human care, ritual, and community life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 5 min
3 Famous People Who Majored in Religion
A bachelors degree in Religious Studies. Is it a useful degree? Maybe, maybe not. But these three famous people majored in it! Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Thanks so much to our Patreon Patrons!: Brian B. Daniel D. Kalei W. Alex B. John M. Wilson Cain D. Manny Mark H. Alice C. Bibliography: Good news for Humanities majors: http://www.aacu.org/leap/liberal-education-nation-blog/new-reports-offer-good-news-arts-and-humanities Humanities median salary: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/10/17/positive-reports-humanities-earnings-art-school-job-prospects Rashida Jones Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tgM6ixi1hc Justin Vernon Interview: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/gds7n9/the-colbert-report-justin-vernon Interview with Vernon's Professor: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/on-wisconsin-in-eau-claire-justin-vernon-s-roots-run/article_3d3bad28-60aa-11e1-9172-001871e3ce6c.html Crashcourse: https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse John Green Interview: http://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/828.John_Green John Green commencement address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AriZhzeHbA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 48 min
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? | ft. Dr. Brook Wilensky-Lanford
Join Dr. Wilensky-Lanford for a FREE guided reading of A God-Shaped Nation this summer. Read the book alongside the author and a community of fellow nerds: https://www.religiondepartment.com/godshapednation Was America founded as a Christian nation? Historian Brook Wilensky-Lanford on 500 years of religion in America, including Squanto's real story, Puritans executing Quakers, and who actually fought for church-state separation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 25 min
Why Psychedelics Feel So Religious | Entheogens Explained
Register for Ethnobotany and the Invisible Reality of the Blackfeet: https://www.religiondepartment.com/offers/BWG42LUy/checkout Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Discover why psychedelics so often spark mystical experiences. This video dives into research on entheogens, exploring awe, unity, and powerful altered states of consciousness. This video was made possible through the support of grant #TRT-2021-10499 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by the Center for Mind and Culture. 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 Center for Mind and Culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 32 min
New Age Spirituality Explained
Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfast. Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters What is New Age Spirituality? To understand the movement, we need to explore four historical streams that combined in the 1960s and 70s: Western Esotericism, New Thought, the 60s Counterculture, and the adaptation of Asian religions in a western context. 00:00 What is the New Age? 3:58 Western Esotericism and the Dawn of a New Age 8:18 New Thought and Mind-Body Health Practices 12:23 The Counterculture and Detraditionalization 16:57 Americanization of Eastern Religions 19:33 The Mainstreaming of the New Age 24:04 Sponsor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 40 min
The Greco-Roman Origins of the Eucharist
Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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