The role of the Devil’s advocate was to argue against the beatification of mystics. Contrary to popular belief, they did not wear Prada. 

It might seem like science and faith are at war, but the two have a historical synergy that extends back in time for centuries.

Three out of four Russians accused of witchcraft were men.

In the Canaan religion, Yahweh was a lesser god, who was assigned the land of Israel. Here's how he became "God Almighty."

The English writer left behind a mind-expanding collection of books.

You can love a romantic partner, but also a pet, a book, God, or the sound of someone’s voice. We need many more words for love.

The sonnenrad is a Heathen symbol composed of 12 repeated runes.

No ouija board required.

Regardless of political ideology, one of the few things that many people seem to have in common is a moral hypocrisy that arises from a fundamental lack of self-reflection.

Bernini created art for 8 different popes. In the process, he helped reinforce and redefine Christianity’s visual culture.

Human sacrifice appears to be as old as humanity itself. Still, experts disagree on how and where the practice first originated.

Black cat crossed your path?

Millions of people have had a near-death experience, and it often leads them to believe in an afterlife. Does this count as good proof?

Mathematics and religion both embody awe-inspiring, eternal truths.

If secrets are a kind of poison, confession is the antidote.

People believe that slow and deliberative thinking is inherently superior to fast and intuitive thinking. The truth is more complicated.

A toxicological study shows that the victims of human sacrifice consumed coca leaves and ayahuasca before they were killed, but not for reasons we originally thought.

"Immodest Acts" tells the story of Benedetta Carlini, a lesbian nun who claimed to be a mystic visionary but failed to convince the leaders of her faith. 

Many atheists think of themselves as intellectually gifted individuals, guiding humanity on the path of reason. Scientific data shows otherwise.

Catholic sisters outnumber priests and religious on every continent.

There is much more to the Kama Sutra than just sex. It's a guide to anyone wanting more pleasure in life, however they take it.

Many people perceive the struggle to understand our Universe as a battle between science and God. But this is a false dichotomy.

The relationship between these two ways of thinking about the world deserves deeper exploration.

By toppling medieval Europe’s mightiest political power, the Protestant Reformation ushered in a new age of freedom, religious and otherwise.

Modern applications of Stoicism show up in unexpected places, from the latest techniques in psychotherapy to texts on Christian theology.

A growing body of research shows that religious people seem to enjoy more psychological well-being compared to others.

Online Shinto communities have existed since the birth of the internet as we know it.

Using the Book of Mormon as a sacred but ambiguous atlas, the Latter-day Saints have been looking for the lost city of Zarahemla for decades.

Religion fosters traits that are helpful in a school system that relies on authority figures and rewards people who follow the rules.

We value human life in a way that assumes we possess a sacred something not found in beings like lambs, turkeys, or mosquitoes.