"Ritual." We all think we know what it means...right? Ritual, though, is a lot more complicated than you think.

In this episode we examine the topic: When Shinto Became a “Religion"

When I say the word Voodoo, what do you think of? You might think of eerie magic, witch-doctors, dolls of your enemies, or even zombies. I’m going to dispel the myths here and talk about not only this very misunderstood religion, but...

An example of a magical text from the 5th century CE. What can it tell us about the beliefs and practices of ancient individuals living in Greco-Roman Egypt?

Jediism came to prominence in 2001 during the UK census when a bunch of people claimed to be "Jedi" as their religion. But there also is a real-world movement of people calling themselves Jediists, followers of Jediism. How should...

As NASA continues to discover thousands of new exoplanets, humans have increasingly asked: "Are we alone?" If other intelligent species exist in our universe, do they practice religion too? If so, how would human world religions react to...

When we think about animal sacrifice, ancient societies such as the Greeks come to mind. But why did they ritually slaughter animals? What did this do for their society?

A Japanese company has programmed a popular robot, Pepper, to perform Buddhist funeral rites. But will society ever accept artificial intelligence as religious authorities and ritual specialists?

In this episode we examine the topic: Is the U.S. Capitol a Religious Building?

My research as an apprentice-scholar of religion is ancient Greco-Roman magic. Many people do not realize that archaeologists have discovered hundreds of ancient objects that attest to the ubiquity of magic in ancient daily life.

Zoroastrians have been around for over 2,000 years. Their influence can be found in Christianity and Islam, and they bring you cultural relics like the zodiacs. Today, we’re going to go deep in our Human history, maybe further back than...

The Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand is a breathtaking celebration where people release floating lanterns into the sky. Learn about the meaning of the event, as well as the parade, dance performances, and traditional Thai costumes.

This video provides a comprehensive overview of spiders and their unique characteristics. It discusses their venomous nature, hunting techniques, locomotion, defense mechanisms, reproductive behavior, and the fascinating ways in which...

Learn about rice-based stories, ceremonies, and sayings from Southeast Asia to the West. Rice part 3/5

This video explores the origins of Halloween and how it evolved over time. From early Christian feast days merged with northern European festivals for the dead, to the All Saints Day and All Souls Day, the video delves into how the...

Bibliography: Michael Jackson citation at 4:37 - 4:47: Citation from Existential Anthropology, p. 94 Joseph Henrich, Michal Bauer, Alessandra Cassar, Julie Chytilova, Benjamin Grant Purzycki, "War Increases Religiosity," Nature: Human...

In this episode we examine the topic: The Most Painful Religious Rituals

Göbekli Tepe is a massive monolithic complex in southeastern Turkey. Archaeologists have hypothesized that the site is the oldest temple known to humanity. But what do we know about it? And why do archaeologists think it is a religious...

A brief overview of the origins and traditions of the Olympic Games, from its roots in ancient Greek mythology to its revival in the modern era. Explore the significance of key elements such as the Olympic flag representing the five...

In this video you will learn how weird and wonderful animals are formed in the process of speciation and the formation of new species. Different selection pressures select for different characteristics. Over generations, the individuals...

Flags represent the shared identity of a group of people, and every country has a flag designed with colors and symbols that are meaningful to its citizens. Flags are often considered symbols of national pride, uniting people with shared...

Video Atlas of Asia: This clip introduces the Hindu religion.

New ReviewAs Durga Puja celebrations sweep across India, Gen Z brings a fresh perspective to this age-old tradition. From fashion and social media trends to renewed interest in cultural rituals, the younger generation is blending modern style with...

In Kerala, a state in South India, the cult of Theyyam is still alive. The ritual form of worship involves traditions that some say date back as far as neolithic times. These rituals, practiced across North Kerala’s Malabar region, are...