Ethics + Religion – The Conversation – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and more

Two open books rest on a table next to a pile of three more books.

Two open books rest on a table next to a pile of three more books.

The apocrypha, Christianity’s ‘hidden’ texts, may not be in the Bible – but they have shaped tradition for centuries

Christy Cobb, University of Denver

A regal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) buck with velvety antlers stands amid tall grass in a serene meadow.

A regal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) buck with velvety antlers stands amid tall grass in a serene meadow.

The cost of casting animals as heroes and villains in conservation science

Adam Meyer, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Kristy Ferraro, University of Michigan

Why standing in solidarity with immigrants is an act of accompaniment in Catholic philosophy

Kristy Nabhan-Warren, University of Iowa

People wearing winter jackets, hats and gloves stand with posters saying, 'ICE out now,' and 'Justice for all those murdered by ICE,' among others.

People wearing winter jackets, hats and gloves stand with posters saying, 'ICE out now,' and 'Justice for all those murdered by ICE,' among others.

Baptists have helped shape debate about religious freedom for over 400 years – up to today’s 10 Commandments laws

Christopher Schelin, Starr King School for the Ministry

A person walks down a hallway in the distance, with posters in italicized script lining the walls.

A person walks down a hallway in the distance, with posters in italicized script lining the walls.

Meekness isn’t weakness – once considered positive, it’s one of the ‘undersung virtues’ that deserve defense today

Timothy J. Pawl, University of St. Thomas

A bearded man seems to speak gently as he holds an upset, angry-looking toddler.

A bearded man seems to speak gently as he holds an upset, angry-looking toddler.

Why Ramadan is called Ramadan: 6 questions answered

Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Michigan State University

A young girl, with her head covered, sitting on a chair.

A young girl, with her head covered, sitting on a chair.

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Christian nationalism

Read more about Christian nationalism

Two young men and a woman read and share notes while seated at a table.

Two young men and a woman read and share notes while seated at a table.

What is Christian Reconstructionism − and why it matters in US politics

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

How the QAnon movement entered mainstream politics – and why the silence on Epstein files matters

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

A woman standing in the middle of a large crowd, holding up a 'Q' sign.

A woman standing in the middle of a large crowd, holding up a 'Q' sign.

What is the ‘Seven Mountains Mandate’ and how is it linked to political extremism in the US?

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

Three individuals stand in prayer with their eyes closed, while several others sit nearby. One of the standing individuals is wearing a MAGA hat

Three individuals stand in prayer with their eyes closed, while several others sit nearby. One of the standing individuals is wearing a MAGA hat

The term ‘lone gunman’ ignores the structures that enable violence

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

Three police officers, wearing helmets and carrying guns, walk near a home with a red outer wall.

Three police officers, wearing helmets and carrying guns, walk near a home with a red outer wall.

What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support

Samuel Perry, Baylor University

Three men in navy blue suits sit with their heads bowed in prayer, while one man stands behind.

Three men in navy blue suits sit with their heads bowed in prayer, while one man stands behind.

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Superheroes, comics and religion

A statue of Spider-Man, positioned by a large window in a high-rise, shows him poised to jump as people walk below.

A statue of Spider-Man, positioned by a large window in a high-rise, shows him poised to jump as people walk below.

Spider-Man’s lessons for us all on the responsibility to use our power, great or small, to do good

George Tsakiridis, South Dakota State University

See you in the funny papers: How superhero comics tell the story of Jewish America

Miriam Eve Mora, University of Michigan

A large sign depicts a man in a tight blue suit and red cape.

A large sign depicts a man in a tight blue suit and red cape.

For superfans, comic-con culture is more than fun – it’s sacred, a sociologist explains

Michael Elliott, Towson University

A woman in a white outfit with huge blue wings attached to her poses in a large convention atrium.

A woman in a white outfit with huge blue wings attached to her poses in a large convention atrium.

How Japanese anime draws on religious traditions to explore themes of destiny, sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty

Ronald S. Green, Coastal Carolina University

A cartoon sketch of a young man with long, bright yellow hair streaked with red, resembling flames. He has black, forked eyebrows and golden eyes with red and white pupils.

A cartoon sketch of a young man with long, bright yellow hair streaked with red, resembling flames. He has black, forked eyebrows and golden eyes with red and white pupils.

Luce, a cartoon mascot for Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee, appeals to a younger generation while embracing time-honored traditions

Virginia Raguin, College of the Holy Cross

An inflatable cartoon depicts a girl wearing rosary beads with a crucifix, and scallop shells in her eyes.

An inflatable cartoon depicts a girl wearing rosary beads with a crucifix, and scallop shells in her eyes.

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Ancient texts

Thecla, the beast fighter: The saint who faced down lions and killer seals is one of many ‘leading ladies’ in early Christian texts

Christy Cobb, University of Denver

Colorful flower displays positioned on either side of a lit candle and a small statue of a golden arm with a finger pointing up.

Colorful flower displays positioned on either side of a lit candle and a small statue of a golden arm with a finger pointing up.

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.

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.

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.

A faded mural depicting two men looking into each other's eyes with their faces very close to each other.

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AI and Religion

‘Simulation theory’ brings an AI twist out of ‘The Matrix’ to ideas mystics and religious scholars have voiced for centuries

Rizwan Virk, Arizona State University

People sit in a darkened room whose walls and ceilings seem to be screens with neon green strings of numbers flashing across them.

People sit in a darkened room whose walls and ceilings seem to be screens with neon green strings of numbers flashing across them.

Tool of faith or digital distraction? Catholic Church offers indulgences to faithful who fast from social media

Heidi A. Campbell, Texas A&M University

An elderly man in a white skullcap passes through a crowd of people holding up phones to take pictures of him.

An elderly man in a white skullcap passes through a crowd of people holding up phones to take pictures of him.

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

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

AI Jesus might ‘listen’ to your confession, but it can’t absolve your sins − a scholar of Catholicism explains

Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross

A hologram of an AI Jesus behind a latticework screen.

A hologram of an AI Jesus behind a latticework screen.

AI and Religion

Read more about AI and Religion

Native American Traditions

A painting shows Pilgrims and Native Americans chatting as they prepare a meal outside.

A painting shows Pilgrims and Native Americans chatting as they prepare a meal outside.

How the Plymouth Pilgrims took over Thanksgiving – and who history left behind

Thomas Tweed, University of Notre Dame

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

Meaghan Weatherdon, University of San Diego

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

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

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.

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.

A park ground with a serpent-shaped mound.

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.

A ballet dancer taking a leap with her toes pointed outward and arms raised.

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