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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The cover of PAW’s November 2025 issue, featuring a photo of a space probe and the headline "Made in Princeton."
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