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The Conversation
Three rows of young men in suits and ties.

Campuses are ground zero in debates about antisemitism − but that’s been true for 100 years

Jonathan Krasner, Brandeis University

Two stone slabs with rounded tops inscribed in formal font.

Federal judge rules that Louisiana shalt not require public schools to post the Ten Commandments

Charles J. Russo, University of Dayton

How updated Vatican rules on validating supernatural appearances of Mary will affect the famed pilgrimage site of Medjugorje

Lisa Bitel, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

A white statue of the Virgin Mary stands against a backdrop of two tall towers. Many people stand around the statue, looking up and praying.
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.
Papal elections aren’t always as dramatic as ‘Conclave’ – but the history behind the process is

Joelle Rollo-Koster, University of Rhode Island

A yellow metal grate blocks off an ornate, narrow room several stories high with a mural along the walls.
Religions talk about the value of humility − but it can be especially hard for clergy to practice what they preach

Elise Ji Young Choe, Boston University and Steven Sandage, Boston University

A Bible sits on a lectern with a small microphone and light on it, in front of rows of church pews.
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Politics and religion

Read more about the intersection of religion and politics
A human hand inserting the Bible into a locked ballot box, behind which is the American flag.

What America’s history can teach us about debates on religious freedom and its importance for democracy

Corey D. B. Walker, Wake Forest University

Black church leaders brought religion to politics in the ‘60s – but it was dramatically different from today’s white Christian nationalism

Tobin Miller Shearer, University of Montana

Young Black men holding a banner which says 'Black Power," as they march.
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.
How religion and politics will mix in 2024 – three trends to track

Tobin Miller Shearer, University of Montana

People hold hands while raising them in prayer, while keeping their eyes closed.
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.
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.
A video game based on the Chinese novel ‘Journey to the West’ is the most recent example of innovative retelling of this popular story

Michael Naparstek, University of Tennessee

Long lines of people outside a stand, with a large drawing of a monkey and other figures and words in Chinese characters and in Enlish, which say, 'Black Myth: Wukong,'
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Advice for post election stress

Election anxiety doesn’t need to win − here are 3 science-backed strategies from a clinical psychologist to rein in the stress

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, University of Kentucky

two seated men looking at phones with consternation
What Buddhism can teach in this moment of deep divisions: No person is ‘evil,’ only ‘mistaken’

Jeremy David Engels, Penn State

Gilded statue of Buddha as a walking monk with a Naga walking stick and umbrella and three wise seated monkeys' statues in foreground.
Feeling disoriented by the election, pandemic and everything else? It’s called ‘zozobra,’ and Mexican philosophers have some advice

Francisco Gallegos, Wake Forest University and Carlos Alberto Sánchez, San José State University

A protester dressed in black drops to his knees
Prepare your social media for the election − 3 tips to stay sane and connected without being overwhelmed

Chelsea Butkowski, American University School of Communication

An illustration shows a megaphone and a mouth making noise at the same time.
Read more about post election stress

Religious festivals

Red and yellow flowers and petals surround an icon of Hindu god Ganesha.

Why some flowers are so pleasing for Hindu gods and goddesses

Robert J. Stephens, Clemson University

Self-forgiveness is more than self-comfort − a philosopher explains

Mordechai Gordon, Quinnipiac University

A young woman with long brunette hair clutches her forehead and looks downcast in front of a mirror.
What are the Jewish High Holy Days? A look at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and a month of celebrating renewal and moral responsibility

Samuel L. Boyd, University of Colorado Boulder

A congregation joins together for the kiddush during their observance of Rosh Hashana in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2014.
The divine matchmaker in Chinese mythology − Old Man Under the Moon − who helps couples find love

Megan Bryson, University of Tennessee

A young woman holding a bouquet of flowers while standing in a shop, surrounded by colorful bouquets ready to be sold.
Diwali: A celebration of the goddess Lakshmi, and her promise of prosperity and good fortune

Jeffery D. Long, Elizabethtown College

Hand of a woman purchasing goddess Lakshmi statue among many others.

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