religion

What 17th Century Witch Burnings Teach Us About Evangelical Extremism

The descendants of those brought up amid the height of the witch-burning craze who became among the first to colonize settlements like Salem, Massachusetts, continuing the misogynistic and prejudiced witch trials in the United States. Read more »

Swindling Faith: The Big Business of Prosperity Gospel

Prosperity gospel’s “believe it and receive it” message appeals to both the haves who want to increase their bounties and the have-nots who hope to transform their lives. Read more »

Here, Now, Everywhere: Deborah E. Lipstadt’s New Book Charts the Resurgence of Antisemitism

Lipstadt’s uncompromising perspective is guaranteed to leave readers uneasy, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Read more »

#ChurchToo: The Toxicity of Christian Complementarianism

The church’s views on sex entrench the power dynamics that contribute to the abuse of women (and the abuse of people of color and queer folks.) Read more »

I Kissed Consent Goodbye: Purity Culture and Sexual Violence on Evangelical Christian Campuses

Purity is tarnished by sexual contact, regardless of circumstances, and the only recourse is to pray for a “second virginity.” Read more »

Stuck in the Media Spotlight, LGBTQ Muslims Often Feel Exploited

Queer Muslims have the difficult job of figuring out how to advocate for themselves and their communities. Read more »

In Good Faith: Christ Was There for Me during My Abortion

When I tell my abortion story, I never forget to mention faith. Read more »

Less Fear, More Queer: What’s Missing from a New Book on Sex, Shame, and Christianity

Shameless gives queer people little space to talk about their own visions of healthy, spiritual sexuality. Read more »

Nijla Mu’min Brings a Radical Portrait of Black Muslim Women to the Big Screen

Nijla Mu’min is very aware of her film’s unique place in the white patriarchal world of Hollywood. Read more »

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Hot Under the Bonnet: The Cooptation of Amish Culture in Mass-Market Fiction

Dubbed “Amish romance novels,” “Amish fiction,” or the more waggish “bonnet rippers,” these novels just one entry point into the varying images of Amish communities in U.S. popular culture. Read more »