Alternative Faiths

‘Religion entered into me’: A talk with Jane Goodall, winner of the 2021 Templeton Prize

By Yonat Shimron — May 20, 2021

(RNS) — The celebrated primatologist is only the fourth woman to win the prize, established to honor those who use science to explore humankind’s place and purpose in the universe.

Folk healers create modern techniques from their ancestors’ lost lore

By Isaiah Murtaugh — May 13, 2021

(RNS) — A collective of healers and practitioners is revisiting ancestral practices to become ‘ancestors for the future.’

Pagan ‘metaphysical’ shops navigate threats from Christian critics

By Heather Greene — May 7, 2021

(RNS) — Selling herbs, crystals and spiritual guides, metaphysical shops are often perceived, especially by conservative Christians, as exotic, devoted to the so-called dark arts and, often, a threat. It's frequently those Christians who threaten them.

Tarot booms as Generation Z sorts out spiritual path

By Heather Greene — April 26, 2021

(RNS) — Generation Z has been the driving force behind the renewed popularity and mainstreaming of the age-old esoteric system.

What Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ can teach us about reentering the world after a year of isolation

By Joel Christensen — April 26, 2021

(The Conversation) — As the pandemic has dragged on, I've returned to reunited Odysseus and Penelope's conversation.

Likes and prayers: Facebook tests new ‘prayer post’ feature

By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 21, 2021

(RNS) — The idea for prayer posts grew out of the myriad ways users have connected over Facebook while distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the spokesperson.

Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

By Shaily Shashikant Patel — April 14, 2021

(The Conversation) — Early Christians worked to distinguish the miracles of Jesus from the magic of local sorcerers.

Satanic panic is back, thanks to ‘Satan Shoes’ and Lil Nas X

By Heather Greene — March 31, 2021

(RNS) — Satanic scares are nothing new to contemporary culture.

Pagan sues Panera Bread Company alleging religious discrimination

By Heather Greene — March 27, 2021

(RNS) — A former baker for the chain said she was told that she 'needed to find God,' according to a court filing.

End-of-pandemic hopes rise, just in time for pagan holiday Ostara

By Antonio Pagliarulo — March 19, 2021

(RNS) — Buzz on social media is forecasting a more robust celebration this year for Ostara, the pagan holiday adapted as Easter by Christians.

Natural by nature, pagans expect some digital rituals to survive the pandemic

By Heather Greene — March 16, 2021

(RNS) — ‘Having used online resources for the past year has allowed us to think of community in new ways,’ said one ritual leader.

‘A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff’: Jewish artist Alicia Jo Rabins turns financial crisis into spiritual film

By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 12, 2021

(RNS) — The one-women show turned film has been described as a 'mystical meta-musical about the biggest financial fraud in history.'

Convictions upheld for British pagans who trespassed at Stonehenge

By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 11, 2021

(RNS) — Lawyers for Lisa Mead, Maryam Halcrow and Angel Grace argued the trio had a ‘reasonable excuse’ to enter a restricted area at the prehistoric monument, based on their religious beliefs.