Religion

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Jesus’s birthday is subject to interpretation, and there are plenty of intriguing theories to explain how we landed on December 25 to celebrate Christmas.

John Humphrey Noyes wanted to build a heaven on Earth—but for Charles Guiteau, life at the Oneida Community was a living hell.

How a 24-year-old Tennessee teacher, a Bible-thumping prosecutor, and a chimpanzee found themselves at the center of the nation’s most contentious trial a century ago.

A Chicago-style thin crust pizza that the new pope was seen eating in August has been rebranded.

In 1855, D.C. residents were anything but thrilled with a gift from the pope.

From a petition for Henry VIII’s divorce to Galileo’s heresy trial notes, the Vatican’s private archives hold documents that changed the world.

For centuries, men assuming the top job in the Roman Catholic Church kept their birth names. That changed with Pope John II.

When Catholic cardinals meet to pick a new pope in a papal conclave, they have signaled their progress by sending colored smoke up the chapel chimney.

Whether you're Catholic or not, it's hard to argue with the claim that St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is an amazing feat of architecture and art.

Congressman Leo Ryan went to Guyana in 1978 to investigate reports of American cult leader Jim Jones holding hundreds of his followers captive. Ryan didn't make it out of Jonestown alive.

Birmingham, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo lead the way on this list of the best places to celebrate Easter.

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Check out these U.S. cities if you‘re looking for the ultimate St. Patrick‘s Day celebration.

Easter always happens sometime in March or April—but the date is never the same each year.

You might be used to people wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, but some sport orange instead. Here’s why.

More than a century ago, Christian health gurus invented cereal to promote a healthy lifestyle free of sin. Little did they know, their creation would eventually be used to promote everything from radio and cartoons to Mr. T and tooth decay.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, discover the origins of the phrase ‘weak at the knees,’ including its ties to ancient Rome and even astrology.

Here's why medieval artists loved putting horns on Moses.

The origins for this marriage proposal tradition go back to the days of knights and courtly love.

Every winter, Jewish people around the world spend eight nights lighting candles, eating latkes, and spinning dreidels. But what’s Hanukkah really all about?