By the end of the 19th century, the Devil had become a figure of myth. Ironically, that helped his image proliferate in popular culture.
The story of Walatta Petros, a 17th-century Ethiopian noblewoman who was later made a saint, shows that Christianity has a complex history with abortion and contraception.
A 1721 manuscript/Wikimedia Commons
Abortion and contraception were quite common among premodern Christians, who also celebrated women’s celibacy as superior to marriage and childbearing.
Religious identity played a role in liberation struggle.
Ali Ngethi/AFP via Getty Images)
Amid controversy over US bishops’ plans to deny Communion to pro-abortion rights Catholics, a scholar of sacramental theology explains the importance of the ritual to members of the church.
There have been few slots available for weddings at register offices since the pandemic.
Jim Steele/Alamy
Unless there are safety reasons for outdoor weddings, it would be far better for local authorities to focus resources on making more slots available
Like their ancient ancestors, contemporary Mandaeans revere John the Baptist and consider baptism the most important of their religious rituals.
Hadi Mizban/AP
Mandaeans are followers of ancient Gnostic religion, whose traditional homeland was the region of Iraq and Iran. Today, this small minority lives in many parts of the world, including the US.
Jair Bolsonaro’s administration is profoundly militarised.
Salty View/Shutterstock
Tinashe Chimbidzikai, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity and Josiah Taru, Great Zimbabwe University
TB Joshua came from nothing, but he redefined African Pentecostalism in many ways.
Residents and church members gather at the main gate of the Synagogue Church of All Nations headquarters in Lagos to mourn the death of pastor TB Joshua.
Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
A survey of over 3,000 students found that how much students’ appreciation of gay, lesbian and bisexual people increased during college varied by their school’s religious affiliation.
Men largely determine the fertility rate in Nigeria. These men are drumming for dancers at a festival.
Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
The Nigerian government must design more interventions to improve education, employment opportunities and the economy in order to control the country’s population growth.
Pandemic skepticism has given struggling churches a much needed financial boost.
(Shutterstock)
Despite outbreaks, some church leaders in Alberta have continued to downplay the severity of COVID-19. Choosing to double down on pandemic skepticism.
An eclipse of the moon as illustrated in a 13th-century English manuscript. British Library, Harley 3735, f. 81v.
British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts
Over the past 15 years there’s been a revival of young people - mostly Christians - participating in traditional masquerades, despite these being branded as pagan.
Yes, religion plays a more prominent role in political life in Australia than it once did – but it’s not just because of the prime minister’s faith.
Some ancient theologians argued that the Israelites deserved a share of Egypt’s wealth after being enslaved for centuries.
Culture Club/Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Evangelical “purity culture,” which aims to repress sex outside of heterosexual marriage, is an important factor in the shootings at three Atlanta massage parlours.
Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity