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 October 2026 cover, featuring a photo of a loaf of challah bread and the headline "The Braids That Bind."
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