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The Conversation
Several empty black swings on a playground in a grassy park.

Selfish or selfless? Anti-natalists say they’re going child-free to protect the kids they won’t have

Jack Jiang, The New School

A man uses a sickle to clear land.

I study modern-day slavery − and here’s what I’ve learned about how enslavers try to justify their actions

Monti Datta, University of Richmond

Logging off life but living on: How AI is redefining death, memory and immortality

Patrick van Esch, Coastal Carolina University and Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui, Coastal Carolina University

a couple from the back walking in a park, the woman and background in black and white, the man a silhouette enclsoing a color view of trees and sky
How Christian nationalism played a role in incorporating the phrase ‘so help me God’ in the presidential oath of office

David B. Parker, Kennesaw State University

A man in a brown coat, waistcoat and breeches putting one hand on his heart while standing among several other men, who are looking at him.
The moral dimension to America’s flawed health care system

Nicole Hassoun, Binghamton University, State University of New York

A woman in medical protective equipment peers through a small window cut into a white door.
Why ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ almost didn’t air − and why it endures

Stephen Lind, University of Southern California

A cartoon of a boy in a red jacket and tan cap holding a tiny tree sapling outside at night.
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Politics and religion

Read more about the intersection of religion and politics
A man dressed in a blue suit speaks into a microphone to an audience seated in front. On the splash screen behind him are names of Trump and Vance.

The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’

Michael E. Heyes, Lycoming College

New Apostolic Reformation evangelicals see Trump as God’s warrior in their battle to win America from satanic forces and Christianize it

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

A light-haired man in a black suit and red tie, flanked by a smiling woman in a gray jacket and a tall young man, raises his fist.
How the Israeli settlers movement shaped modern Israel

Arie Perliger, UMass Lowell

Three men with their backs to the camera stand a few yards apart, wearing white robes, as they pray outside.
Talk of ‘Christian nationalism’ is getting a lot louder – but what does the term really mean?

Eric McDaniel, The University of Texas at Austin

A hand puts a Bible into a locked box in front of a U.S. flag.
Why trying to protect freedom may work better than campaigning to protect democracy

Tarah Williams, Allegheny College and Andrew Bloeser, Allegheny College

A woman applauds in front of a sign saying 'freedom.'

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Meditation and mindfulness

Three women doing meditation while seated and wearing headphones.

How to know if your practice of Buddhism through listening to podcasts or use of meditation apps is ‘authentic’

Gregory Grieve, University of North Carolina – Greensboro

In times of stress, turning to contemplation can be helpful – here’s why religions emphasize rest

Kristen Lucken, Brandeis University

Buddhist devotees seen meditating with their lanterns at the Dhammakaya Temple in Bangkok during the yearly Makha Bucha ceremony, one of the most important day for Buddhists around the world.
Meditation apps might calm you – but miss the point of Buddhist mindfulness

Gregory Grieve, University of North Carolina – Greensboro and Beverley McGuire, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Meditation apps might calm you – but miss the point of Buddhist mindfulness
How Americans came to embrace meditation, and with it, Hinduism

Vasudha Narayanan, University of Florida

How Americans came to embrace meditation, and with it, Hinduism
What is resilience? A psychologist explains the main ingredients that help people manage stress

Rachel Goldsmith Turow, Seattle University

With mountains, clouds and a blue sky in the background, a young man climbs a natural rock wall.
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Ancient texts

What the ancient Indian text Bhagavad Gita can teach about not putting too much of our identity and emotions into work

Robert J. Stephens, Clemson University

A colorful painting showing a carriage being drawn by two white horses, with the charioteer holding a conch shell and a warrior prince seated at the back, with a bow and arrows.
What is the ‘way of the warrior’? Students investigate the arts of war and peace in this course about virtue and the ethics of violence

Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, Hamilton College

A brightly colored illustation of two men fighting with swords on a beach as a crowd of people look on.
Ancient texts depict all kinds of people, not just straight and cis ones – this college course looks at LGBTQ sexuality and gender in Egypt, Greece and Rome

Tina Chronopoulos, Binghamton University, State University of New York

A faded mural depicting two men looking into each other's eyes with their faces very close to each other.
3 things to learn about patience − and impatience − from al-Ghazali, a medieval Islamic scholar

Liz Bucar, Northeastern University

A yellowed page of a book cover with Persian inscriptions and a design with concentric circles set in the middle of two rectangular bars with intricate art.
Read more stories on ancient texts

New year

New Year’s Eve celebrates St. Silvester – the 4th-century pope whose legend shaped ideas of church and state

Cavan W. Concannon, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

A jewel-tone mosaic showing several men in robes outside city walls, with one man sitting in a baptismal font.
Mindfulness is about ‘remembering’ − a practice of coming back to the now

Jeremy David Engels, Penn State

Five people doing meditation with their eyes closed while being seated in a lotus position.
Meditation can reduce stress – but the pressure to overwork remains

Jaime L Kucinskas, Hamilton College

Four women in a meditative pose with their hands folded in a 'namaste.'
How hope can keep you healthier and happier

Everett Worthington, Virginia Commonwealth University

How hope can keep you healthier and happier
Read more about Christmas and the holiday season

Native American Traditions

A black and white photo of marchers in warm weather passing a building with a high dome.

Activism on foot: When Indigenous activists walk the land to honor their past and reshape their future

Meaghan Weatherdon, University of San Diego

Unthanksgiving Day: A celebration of Indigenous resistance to colonialism, held yearly at Alcatraz

Shannon Toll, University of Dayton

Several people, some in traditional Native American attire, gather outside a building whose sign says - United States Penitentiary.
The story of Ohio’s ancient Native complex and its long journey for recognition as a World Heritage site

Stephen Warren, University of Iowa

A park ground with a serpent-shaped mound.
75 years ago, Maria Tallchief made the ballet world reimagine itself and find a place for a Native American prima ballerina

Shannon Toll, University of Dayton

A ballet dancer taking a leap with her toes pointed outward and arms raised.
Indigenous languages make inroads into public schools

Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College

A teacher writes some words in an Indigenous language on a white board while a student looks.

Read more on Native American Traditions

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