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ReligionForBreakfast

An educational channel dedicated to the academic, nonsectarian study of religion. We promote improving the public's religious literacy by exploring humanity's beliefs and rituals through an anthropological, sociological, and archaeological lens.

Religion for Breakfast does not endorse any particular religious tradition or non-religious perspective. Please be respectful in the comments!

The host, Dr. Andrew M. Henry, is a scholar of religious studies. His research focus is early Christianity and late Roman religion. He earned his PhD at Boston University. Follow him on Twitter @andrewmarkhenry.
fan Made. no infringement intended.

Links:
Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewmarkhenry
Blog: http://www.religionforbreakfast.com

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October 31 · 6 min
Demons Are In Your Toilet
Demonology meets the archaeology of ancient Roman latrines. Uploaded 01-04-18 Andrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast twitter: @andrewmarkhenry https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/ Bibliography: Primary Sources: Life and Miracles of St. Thecla, Miracle 7 Suicide by xylospongium found in Seneca's letters: Epis. Mor. 70.20-21 Pompeii "Cacator Cave Malum" fresco found in Taberna IX 7, 22. Clemens quote: Protrepticus 4.51 Secondary Sources: Brenk, F.E. “Demonology in the Early Imperial Period.” Aufstieg und Niedergang der romischen Welt. II.16.3, (1986): 2068-2145. Dunbabin, Katherine M.D. “Baiarum Grata Voluptas: Pleasures and Dangers of the Baths,” Papers of the British School at Rome, Vol. 57, British School at Rome, (1989): 6-46. Koloski-Ostrow, Ann Olga, "The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers, and Water Systems," 2015 Koloski-Ostrow, Ann Olga. “Cacator Cave Malum: The Subject and Object of Roman Public Latrines in Italy during the First Centuries BC and AD,” in Cura Aquarum in Sicilia. Proceedings of the Tenth International Congress on the History of Water Management and Hydraulic Engineering in the Mediterranean Region.(2000) Jansen, Gemma C. M., Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, and Eric Maria Moormann. 2011. Roman Toilets: Their Archaeology and Cultural History. Peeters Publishers and Booksellers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 15 min
Did Jesus Really Have Long Hair?
With my link, you can get 50% off of Nebula. It’s just $30/year, or $2,5/month, at https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch Lindsay Ellis' "Let’s Compare and Contrast Disney’s Flop Eras": https://nebula.tv/videos/lindsayellis-disney-flop-eras?ref=religionforbreakfast Uploaded 17-02-26 Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Did Jesus really have long, flowing hair? Art always depicts him like that, but archaeology says probably not. From Roman statues to Jewish tomb finds, we explore what men actually looked like in first-century Galilee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 26 min
Is Confucianism a Religion?
Start your free trial with Perlego today!: https://perlego.pxf.io/c/2993080/1142629/14034?discount=religionforbreakfast10 Uploaded 02-09-21 Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 29 min
Did Daoism Invent Its Own Founder? | Laozi Explained
With my link, you can get 50% off of Nebula. It’s just $30/year, or $2.5/month, at https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Uploaded 14-09-26 Watch The America That Almost Was!: https://nebula.tv/tataw?ref=religionforbreakfast Historians accept that Jesus, Muhammad, and the Buddha existed. However, most scholars think the author of the Daodejing, Laozi, is a legend. Here's how a ritual expert who advised Confucius became a philosopher, an author, an immortal, and a god. 00:00 Founder Mythicism 1:14 Traditional Biography of Laozi Summarized 4:58 Historical Problems with Laozi's Biography 12:42 Daodejing Manuscript Evidence 17:01 Laozi's Later Apotheosis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 32 min
Is Buddhism an Atheistic Religion?
Register for our class "Who are the Hungry Ghosts?:" https://religionforbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ Uploaded 30-10-24 Buddhism has a reputation of being an atheistic religion. But is this true? Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Thumbnail art by @hotcyder This video was made possible through the support of Grant 61928 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by The Queen’s University of Belfast. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or The Queen’s University of Belfast. 00:00 Intro: Theravada, Mahayana, Secular Buddhism 3:14 Buddhist Cosmology and Devas 7:25 Can the devas help us? (Theravada perspective) 13:46 Bodhissatvas and Mahayana Buddhism 15:26 Tibetan Buddhism 16:19 Buddhist Modernism 19:48 Secular Buddhism 24:47 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 25 min
How Plato Changed Christian Theology
Watch @toldinstone's video, How 4 Forged Books Changed Christianity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cbTUvIu298 Uploaded 29-05-26 Patreon is the single best way to support Religion for Breakfast. Support us here!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Apophatic theology is one of the most mystical branches of Christian thought, which traces from Plato and Neoplatonism to Gregory of Nyssa, Pseudo-Dionysius, and Byzantine mystics. 00:00 Apophatic Moses on Mt. Sinai 3:16 Cataphatic vs. Apophatic Defined 7:16 Roots of Apophatic Theology 9:44 The Cappadocian Fathers 13:17 Pseudo-Dionysius Explained 16:55 Apophatic Ritual and Hesychasm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 6 min
Modesto, CA: A Public School with Mandatory Religion Courses?
Teaching neutral, academic religious studies courses in American public schools is tricky. Many people don't even realize that it is legal! But one school district in Modesto, California is proving that a world religions requirement for all students can help improve religious literacy and foster respect for religious freedom. Uploaded 19-07-16 Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Thanks to our Patreon patrons!: Brian B Dan D Alex B John M Wilson Cain D Manny Mark H Sources and photo attributions: First Amendment Center report: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/madison/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FirstForum_ModestoWorldReligions.pdf Report on outrage over Islam class: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/19/us/lesson-on-islam-shuts-down-virginia-school-district.html Sued School District: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/83461841-story Bible Belt report: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teaching-not-preaching-in-ca-bible-belt/ Religion Dispatches: http://religiondispatches.org/reading-writing-religion-back-to-school-at-the-first-public-school-in-the-country-to-require-a-world-religions-course/ Classroom Image: By Nan Austin of Modesto Bee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 9 min
The Most Painful Religious Rituals
Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Uploaded 31-10-19 Self-flagellation. Body mortification. Fire-walking. Global religion has bunches of examples of extreme, painful rituals. But why do humans do them? Watch full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRdi0hNqVSw&feature=youtu.be Full picture: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9bz875/do-anthropologists-consider-the-ice-bucket-challenge-an-extreme-ritual-106 All photographs are courtesy of Dr. Dimitris Xygalatas unless otherwise stated. Support the show!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One time donations: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Follow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Other photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, tajai : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:15ème_Fête_de_Ganesh_(4939345552).jpg | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thaipusam7.jpg Bibliography: Dimitris Xygalatas, "How Extreme Rituals Forge Intense Social Bonds," https://aeon.co/essays/how-extreme-rituals-forge-intense-social-bonds Fischer et. al., "The Fire-Walker’s High: Affect and Physiological Responses in an Extreme Collective Ritual," February 2014 | Volume 9 | Issue 2 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0088355&type=printable Xygalatas et. al. “Effects of Extreme Ritual Practices on Psychophysiological Well-Being,” Current Anthropology, Volume 60, Number 5, October 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 15 min
Who is Gabriel in Islam? | Jibrīl Explained
Watch 17 Pages on Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://nebula.tv/videos/17pages?ref=religionforbreakfast Get Lifetime Access to Nebula here: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=religionforbreakfast Uploaded 17-07-25 Who is the angel Gabriel in Islam? Known as Jibril, he’s the messenger who revealed the Quran to Muhammad. This video explores his role in Islamic tradition, how he compares to the biblical Gabriel, and why he’s considered the chief of all angels. Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 5 min
Going full time, and I need your help
Join the Patreon community here!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Uploaded 10-01-20 Thank you so much. Thank you to the 100,000 people who have subscribed. And thank you to the 200 people who have supported this show financially. I am so grateful, and I'm excited about the future of religious literacy education on YouTube. Here's to 2020! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 10 min
When Did Christianity and Judaism Part Ways?
30 CE? 70 CE? 135 CE? 200 CE? Uploaded 19-01-16 Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Facebook: www.religionforbreakfast.com/facebook Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Animation: EC Henry www.echenry.com Design: Chris Maghintay http://www.chrismaghintay.com/ Music: Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com All images my own or Public Domain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 28 min
What is Tibetan Buddhism?
🌏 Get the exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/rfb It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this video. Uploaded 16-02-23 Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Tibetan Buddhism is a unique expression of Buddhism that has developed over centuries in the high Himalayan region of Tibet and the surrounding areas. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, is perhaps the most well-known figure associated with Tibetan Buddhism. In this video, we will explore the key teachings and practices of Tibetan Buddhism, including tantric meditation, compassion, and the concept of emptiness. Special thanks to Dr. Connie Kassor for co-writing this episode. Follow her on Twitter at: @constancekassor To learn more, check out Dr. Aaron Proffitt's introduction over at: @AmericanBuddhistStudyCenter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQ64mX2L48 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 5 min
Modern Paganism and Modern Pilgrimage in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a small city in Massachusetts, most famous for being the site of the Salem Witch Trials. Because of this dubious history, Salem has become a hub for New Religious Movements. Tens of thousands of people travel there in October every year to celebrate Halloween (or Samhain), making it something like a modern pilgrimage site. Uploaded 08-11-16 Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Twitter: @andrewmarkhenry Facebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfast Blog: www.religionforbreakfast.com Thanks to our supporters on Patreon!: Brian B. Daniel D. Kalei W. Alex B. Mark H. Alice C. Wilson Cain D. Photo Attributions and Bibliography: Satanism Headquarters: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2016/09/20/satanic-headquarters-hopes-for-quiet-opening-salem/GcS4kooiHUCdDGdRHVq9xK/story.html Varanasi photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India_-_Varanasi_-_027_-_pilgrims_getting_ready_to_cruise_(2146282405).jpg 1876 Painting of Witch Trials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials#/media/File:Witchcraft_at_Salem_Village.jpg 1892 Lithograph of Witch Trials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials#/media/File:Salem_witch2.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 28 min
Why Evangelicals Started Looking for 666 in Barcodes
With my link, you can get 50% off of Nebula. It’s just $30/year, or $2.5/month, at https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch A Bit Obscure!: https://nebula.tv/abitfrank/a-bit-obscure?ref=religionforbreakfast Uploaded 31-07-26 Revelation 13 describes a mark, 666, branded on people so that no one can buy or sell without it. How did American evangelicals come to read that as a barcode, a microchip, or a vaccine? A history of a fifty-year search, and what the text originally meant. Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 24 min
Aztec Religion Explained
Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Join my 15-person online seminars here: https://www.speakeasy.com/speaker/andrew-henry Uploaded 09-02-21 One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Bibliography: David Carrasco, "Religions of Mesoamerica," 2nd edition, 2013. David Carrasco, "The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction," 2011 Isabel Laack, "Aztec Religion and Art of Writing," 2019. Michael Smith, "The Aztecs," 1996. Jonathan Z. Smith, "The Devil in Mr. Jones," in the book "Imagining Religion." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 24 min
The Jade Emperor: The Daoist God Who Out-Buddha’d the Buddha?
Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni. Uploaded 26-06-25 The Jade Emperor is one of the most important gods in Chinese religion, but he didn’t start that way. This video traces his rise from mortal prince to cosmic ruler, his role in Daoism and popular religion, and his surprising rivalry with the Buddha. Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 18 min
Khonsu: The Egyptian Moon God (in Marvel’s Moon Knight)
Signup for your FREE trial to Wondrium here: http://ow.ly/w5ka30scecC Uploaded 25-03-22 Moon Knight is the latest Marvel character to get a live action adaptation on Disney Plus. The show tells the story of Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac), who becomes the Fist of Khonshu, the Egyptian Moon God. How faithful is the MCU god to Khonsu of Egyptian mythology? Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast Check out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 59 min
Whose Religion Counts as "American?" | ft. Dr. Simran Jeet Singh
Watch Simran's new docuseries UNDIVIDED on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKFaEhkvrfI Uploaded 25-06-26 What counts as "American" religion? Dr. Simran Jeet Singh joins me to talk pluralism, religious freedom, and the religious communities often overlooked in US history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 11 min
One Million Subscribers, Still Just Getting Started
Get yourself a Religion for Breakfast mug! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Uploaded 01-01-26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 31 · 26 min
Does the Bible Really Say Give 10% of Your Money? | Tithing Explained
Send cash directly to families in need, no strings attached: https://www.givedirectly.org/religion Uploaded 15-12-24 The opinions expressed in this video are mine and written by me. They are not the opinions of the charity GiveDirectly, who sponsored this video to spread the word about their work. 00:00 What is Tithing? 3:57 Tithing in the Ancient Near East 9:23 Voluntary Tithes in Hebrew Bible 10:49 Obligatory Tithes in Hebrew Bible 17:45 Harmonization of the Tithe Laws 19:52 GiveDirectly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 261–280 of 341 episodes