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 2025 cover, featuring a photo of stuntman Kent De Mond ’07 with his back on fire.
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September 2025

Stuntman Kent De Mond ’07 is on fire; Endowment tax fallout; Pilot Michael Holl ’03 trains Qataris