Why Religion? A Personal Story

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By Elaine Pagels

Published Oct. 12, 2018

Why Religion? is an autobiographical story of religion professor Elaine Pagel’s “coming to Christ,” her subsequent falling away from faith, and how her understanding of religion’s impact developed as she experienced great personal tragedy.

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PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
The Latest Issue

July 2025

On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.