A scholar who studies alternative expressions of spirituality visited secular, atheist and psychedelic churches and interacted with attendees. Here is what he found.
Politicians all over the spectrum have long tried to appeal to religious voters. What about atheists, agnostics and nothing-in-particulars?
Y.Gurevich/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Tazreena Sajjad, American University School of International Service
Pakistan, created during the 1947 partition, comprised two geographical areas, separated by over a thousand miles. The fault lines between the two regions resulted in the birth of Bangladesh.
The Hagia Sophia has been converted into a mosque.
Murat Can Kirmizigul/Shutterstock
The Hagia Sophia is important in Turkey as a symbol of nation’s changing identity since the Byzantine empire. However, it also holds significance globally as a Unesco site and tourist attraction.
A still from the 1946 classic ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’
National Telefilm Associates
Holiday movies offer us a glimpse into how the world is could be, often in sharp contrast to our lives as they are. In that way, the annual act of viewing them is like a religious ritual.
Hanukkah demands fewer religious rituals than most other Jewish observances.
Golden Pixels LLC
Despite the primacy of Christmas in American culture, the visibility of Hanukkah in pop culture reminds Jews that they have their own holiday in which they can take pride.
As gay Cubans gain more rights, opposition is also growing.
AP Photo/Desmond Boylan
Cuba is avowedly secular. But as the country debates a new Constitution that would protect LGBT rights, churches have come out strongly against gay marriage — a sign of change on the Communist island.
The movement away from religion towards “spirituality” reflects a desire to leave behind hierarchical understandings of religion towards a more socially liberal one.
Ben White/unsplash
Canada is increasingly moving towards a secular culture. “Spiritual but not religious” has become our new norm – bringing with it ideas of mutual respect and protection for marginalized identities.
A Pakistani humanist has been denied asylum in Britain because he couldn’t identify Plato or Aristole. The state is illiterate when it comes to atheism.
Nearly one of every four people in the US is religiously unaffiliated.
Prazis Images via www.shutterstock.com
Nearly one of every four people in the US is unaffiliated, which has prompted speculation that this would increase support for liberal policies. A scholar provides some lessons from history.
A new megachurch movement is drawing crowds on the basis of belief in nonbelief.
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong