ReligionForBreakfast
byReligionForBreakfast
EducationReligionSpiritualityScience
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/religionforbreakfastTwitter: https://twitter.com/andrewmarkhenryBlog...
Episodes(40 episodes)
How to Make an Ancient Curse Tablet
Ever wanted to curse your neighbor as the ancient Romans did? Watch to find out how!Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastwww.religionforbreakfast.comwww.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryAttributions:Music: Kevin MacLeod, www.incompetech.comJerusalem curse tablet: Robert Walter DanielCharakteres graphic: http://blog.charakteres.com/the-charakteres-projectNailed Defixio: http://archaeologicalmuseum.jhu.edu/the-collection/object-stories/a-roman-lead-curse-tablet/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 6m 43s
Was the Gospel of John Changed to Suppress Mary Magdalene?
Mary Magdalene has a ton of conspiracy theories swirling around her. Most are pure speculation. But a recent study by a Duke University New Testament PhD student, Elizabeth Schrader, argues that the copiers of the Gospel of John may have diminished the role of Mary Magdalene. Full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThZ6XEp4qw&feature=youtu.beSupport the show!:https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfasthttps://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Follow me on...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 14m 24s
What The Mandalorian Gets Right About Real-World Religions
Join our live lecture on the mythology of Star Wars: https://www.religiondepartment.com/theherojourneyThe Children of the Watch from The Mandalorian follow rules that look surprisingly familiar to scholars of religion: costly rituals, strict group boundaries, fictive kinship, and lifelong commitments. Why do strict communities like this persist across generations?00:00 Mandalorians Introduced5:09 Strict Church Theory8:55 Costly Signaling Theory14:08 Credibility Enhancing Displays19:49 Fictive Kinship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 32m 48s
The Pre-Christian Origins of Baptism
Baptism is one of the most well-known rituals in Christianity. But what are the origins of this ritual? Did John the Baptist invent it himself?Support the show on Patreon!:www.patreon.com/religionfobreakfastwww.religionfobreakfast.comwww.facebook.com/religionforbreakfasthttps://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Bibliography:Jonathan Klawans, "Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism," Oxford University Press, 2000Brook W.R. Pearson, "Baptism and Initiation in the Cult of Isis and Sarapis," in "Baptism, the New Testament, and the Church: Historical and Contemporary Studies in Honour of R...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 7m 45s
Pilgrimage or Tourism at the Baha'i Gardens?
Akko and Haifa are the two holiest cities for the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i Gardens, located on the slopes of Mt. Carmel in Haifa, Israel, have become a major tourist site in recent years. Baha'i pilgrims also travel there to pray and meditate at the Shrine of the Báb located in the gardens. Why are these two cities holy to the Baha'is? What is the significance of pilgrimage here?Become a member of our Patreon community!: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne time donations can be sent to: paypal.me/religionforbreakfastFor religious s...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 14s
Can A Robot Be a Priest?
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?BECOME A PATRON!: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastTWITTER: @andrewmarkhenryAndrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastBibliography:Dr. Ian Reader, Buddhism in Crisis?: Institutional Decline in Modern Japan: https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/TEST/article/viewFile/upload/pdfNippon News Network clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQa3PIg3Pc<...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 6m 8s
Fandoms are Religions
Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Get Lifetime memberships!: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersAre fandoms the new religions? This video explores how fan communities mirror religious traditions—from pilgrimages and sacred texts to rituals and devotion—revealing what fandom tells us about the human need for meaning and belonging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 29m 17s
Crash Course Mythology Review
Crash Course Mythology has brought a much needed series to YouTube. As a religious studies scholar, I want to offer some thoughts and critiques of the series. Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastPatreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfasthttps://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Lays Farra's review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igrsfx0sLpI&t=1236sCrashCourse Mythology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRCVcuA6yZQ&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNCG9Vq7vdvJytS-F-xGi7_Andrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastBibliography:Russell...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 9m 24s
Gospel of Thomas: Why Is It Not In the Bible?
The Gospel of Thomas. It is a famous text, but what do we really know about it? And why didn't it make it into the New Testament canon?Andrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastPatreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastAndrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastThanks to our Patreon supporters!:BrianDanAlexWilsonCainMark Learn more about your...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 10m 6s
New Age Spirituality Explained
Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfast.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersWhat is New Age Spirituality? To understand the movement, we need to explore four historical streams that combined in the 1960s and 70s: Western Esotericism, New Thought, the 60s Counterculture, and the adaptation of Asian religions in a western context.00:00 What is the New Age?3:58 Western Esotericism and the...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 32m 52s
What is the Difference Between Theology and Religious Studies?
Theology and Religious Studies...do you know the difference?Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastDesign: Chris Maghintay http://www.chrismaghintay.com/Animation: EC Henry www.echenry.comMusic: Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.comAttributions:Amish picture: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Amish#/media/File:2006-07-29_-_07_-_Road_Trip_-_Day_06_-_United_States_-_Wyoming_-_Yellowstone_National_Park_-_Waiting_4888671147.jpgHuckabee photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mike_Huckabee#/media/File:Gov-Huckabee-001.jpg...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 9m 29s
The Greco-Roman Origins of the Eucharist
Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfastJoin our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 40m 33s
3 Things Everyone Should Know About Religion
Religious Literacy can be summarized in three key assumptions about religion. It is not simply learning every detail about world religions. Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comMusic: Kevin MacLeod. www.incompetech.comHarvard Religious Literacy Project: http://rlp.hds.harvard.edu/Religious Literacy Online Class: https://www.edx.org/xseries/world-religions-through-scripturesSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon Supporters!:Brian B.John M.Alex B.Cain D.MannyMark H.Dan...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 45s
The Ancient Greeks Who Converted to Buddhism
Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch Archaeology Quest here!: https://nebula.tv/videos/realscience-pottery?ref=religionforbreakfast Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastSign-up for my mailing list to be notified of online classes: https://classes.religionforbreakfast.com/Greece is very far away from the heartland of early Buddhism in India and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. But thanks to Alexander the Great, Hellenistic and Buddhist cultures came into contact in the 4...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 24m 55s
Saint Patrick: First Missionary to Ireland or Not?
Saint Patrick was a real guy...a 5th century bishop to the Christian communities in Ireland. But the notion that he was the FIRST Christian missionary to Ireland is actually not true. Christianity was in Ireland decades before Patrick's career. Twitter: @andrewmarkhenrBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastPatreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastThanks to our Patreon Patrons!:BrianDanielDerekKaleiTuuliAlexJohnAdilMasonMarkAliceWilsonCainCheck out...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 9m 36s
What Fantasy Gets Wrong About Sacred Groves
Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code RELIGION1 will get the first month for free on me: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/joinIf you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission in Tanzania: https://planetwild.com/r/religionforbreakfast/m33Religion 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/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video su...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 31m 32s
Vesak: The Most Important Buddhist Holiday?
Subscribe to Sacred & Profane's newsletter here!: http://eepurl.com/gjbzuXVesak is celebrated by millions of Buddhists around the world. A day commemorating the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha. Special thanks to @gunnertravel for his Singapore footage! Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastSign-up for my mailing list to be notified of online classes: https://classes.religionforbreakfast.com/00:00 Intro2:08 Unknown Historical Origins of Vesak3:10 Vesak Rituals and Practices6:06 Buddhist Modernism and Vesak9:57 Growth of...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 17m 56s
Why Psychedelics Feel So Religious | Entheogens Explained
Register for Ethnobotany and the Invisible Reality of the Blackfeet: https://www.religiondepartment.com/offers/BWG42LUy/checkoutReligion 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/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersDiscover why psychedelics so often spark mystical experiences. This video dives into research on entheogens, exploring awe, unity, and powerful altered states of consciousness.This video was made possible through the support of grant ...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 25m 1s
Exploring Qumran: The Dead Sea Scrolls Community
Qumran is a small settlement on the west shore of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found nearby. The archaeology of this settlement sheds light on the Jewish community that lived here and how they were connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls. All of the footage that you see comes from my trip there in Spring 2018.Support the show on Patreon!www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastpaypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my religious studies book suggestions at:http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastBibliography:Most of my data came...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 8m 32s
The Pre-Biblical Origins of Noah's Flood
Get a free copy of the 80,000 Hours in-depth career guide: https://80000hours.org/rfbSpecial thanks to the writer of this episode Paul Davidson. Check out his blog "Is that in the Bible?": https://wp.me/p4jfyy-jKFJoin our Patreon community to vote on the next episode in this series! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfast00:00 Introduction2:11 Sumerian Flood Story3:47 Atrahasis Epic5:12 Epic of Gilgamesh6:58 Genesis and Noah's Flood8:58 Comparing the Arks15:47 Comparing Major Themes 20:42 Sponsor: 80,000 Hours<...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 29m 13s