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Answers


Is "Jewish" a Race or Religion? EPISODE 40

When you hear the term "Jewish," do you think of the religion or the ethnic group? While many people confuse "Jewish" in religion with "Jewish" in ethnic identity, this episode will help clarify whether this term refers to an ethnicity, religion, or some combination of the two.

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  • Production: Patheos
  • Genre: Religion
All Episodes
Why Are There So Many Translations of the Bible?
Episode 1
Why Are There So Many Translations of the Bible?
With more than 450 English language translations of the Bible, you might wonder which is the best one to read. And if their translations were done properly, why in the world are there 450 of them? Listen to this episode to learn a bit more about why the Bible has been translated and retranslated so many times.
What Makes Something Kosher?
Episode 2
What Makes Something Kosher?
When we hear the word “kosher,” many will think of the fact that practicing Jews don’t eat pork. However, the “Law of Kashrut” (or kosher law) extends to much more than pork, and even beyond what foods are “fit” or “unfit” to eat. Listen to this short episode to learn more about what it means for something to be “kosher.”
Which Christian Denominations Believe in Salvation by Works?
Episode 3
Which Christian Denominations Believe in Salvation by Works?
One of the major tensions between Protestantism and other streams of Christianity (like Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy) is the degree to which the sacramental life is “necessary” for salvation. Listen to this episode to learn a bit more about how different Christian streams view the importance and role of the sacramental life in salvation.
What Religions Practice Polygamy?
Episode 4
What Religions Practice Polygamy?
For most people in the West, polygamy seems like an immoral practice, particularly in our enlightened age. However, most would be surprised at how common and legal the practice is today. Listen to this short episode to learn which religions don't practice polygamy, which religions actually do allow it, and the amazingly high number of countries where it is still legal.
What Is Baptism?
Episode 5
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is a well-known Christian ordinance. However, less known are its pre-Christian origins. Listen to this short episode to learn a bit more about baptism, its symbolism, meaning, and history.
What Are the Major Sins According to Islam?
Episode 6
What Are the Major Sins According to Islam?
Nearly every organized religion acknowledges the existence of "sin" and the spiritual ramifications of engaging in behaviors deemed inappropriate by their specific religious tradition. Islam is no different. While Islamic holy texts are replete with declarations of Allah's grace, nevertheless, Islam too acknowledges that certain behaviors are, by definition, "sinful."
What Is Excommunication?
Episode 7
What Is Excommunication?
While “excommunication” might feel like a relic of the Catholic Inquisition, in actuality, most major religious traditions have always had some means of removing the heretical or extremely unrighteous from full-fellowship, whether that process was called “excommunication,” “disfellowshipping,” “membership withdrawal,” or something else. Listen to this short episode to learn a bit about which traditions excommunicate, why they do so, and how common the practice is today.
What Is Humanism?
Episode 8
What Is Humanism?
As organized religion loses its “market share” among traditionally religious societies, Humanism is on the rise. While many who consider themselves “religious” are largely unfamiliar with the origins, history, and beliefs of the movement often called Secular Humanism, the growth of this philosophy is such that all should seek to better understand its core characteristics. Listen to this short episode to learn more about the Humanist movement and its approach to life and religiosity.
What Are the Names of God?
Episode 9
What Are the Names of God?
Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to God, names are very important, and they tell us a great deal about the deity being worshiped. Listen to this short episode to learn more about what various religions call their primary deity or deities, why they use those specific names and titles for the divine, and what those names imply about the deity being worshiped.
What Is a Hijab and Why Is It Worn?
Episode 10
What Is a Hijab and Why Is It Worn?
Have you ever wondered why so many Muslim women cover their heads? Is this a requirement? A personal choice? An act of oppression? Listen to this short episode to learn more about Islam, the wearing of hijab, and what covering one’s head means to practitioners of Islam, the world’s second-largest religion.
What Is Karma?
Episode 11
What Is Karma?
Karma is a word most of us are familiar with, but its roots are much deeper than you might suspect. Three religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, all have nuanced views of karma that make it difficult to create a universal definition, but they all share the idea that one’s actions have real consequences that can be good or bad.
What Is the Book of Mormon?
Episode 12
What Is the Book of Mormon?
Millions of people read from the Book of Mormon on a daily basis. But what exactly is that book? What is its relationship to the Bible? And why do members of various Christian “restoration” traditions perceive it as scripture? Listen to this episode to learn more about the Book of Mormon, its origins, and use.
What Is Yom Kippur?
Episode 13
What Is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the most solemn and sacred day of the Jewish calendar cycle. As a time of repentance and reconciliation, practicing Jews see this holiday as an invitation to reconnect with God and with others whom they may have hurt or offended during the year. Listen to this short episode to learn a bit more about how this holiday is celebrated and what it means for the Jewish people.
Does Halloween Have Christian Origins?
Episode 14
Does Halloween Have Christian Origins?
Halloween is one of the most recognized and celebrated holidays. While we often do not think about its origins and connotations, religion actually is at the heart of Halloween. However, it may not be the religion you’re thinking of. To learn more about the origins of Halloween and its surprising Christian connections, listen to this short episode.
Why Is There a Hell?
Episode 15
Why Is There a Hell?
The concept of hell has captivated the minds of believers and put the proverbial “fear of God” into the hearts of the “unrighteous” for millennia. While some form of post-mortal punishment exists as a doctrine in most world religions, not all believe the same thing about hell, its nature, or even how long the “damned” might dwell there. Listen to this episode to learn more about how various religions understand the concept of “hell.”
Who Is the Founder of Hinduism?
Episode 16
Who Is the Founder of Hinduism?
For hundreds of years, people have searched for some evidence of the founder of Hinduism. But does one exist? Listen to this episode to learn more about Hinduism's origins.
What Is Buddhism?
Episode 17
What Is Buddhism?
Buddhism is the fourth largest of the world’s major religions with an estimated 488 to 535 million practitioners worldwide. If you’re like most, you might associate Buddhism with vague notions of spirituality and the practices of meditation and yoga. But what’s it all about, really? Listen to this short episode to learn more about the fundamentals of this ancient religious tradition.
What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Episode 18
What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars are mentioned in the Qur'an and are required of all Muslims. Both Sunnis and Shi'ah agree that these are the essential duties of all Muslims. Listen to this short episode to learn more about the Five Pillars of Islam and what they mean to Muslims around the world.
What Are the Primary Symbols of Islam?
Episode 19
What Are the Primary Symbols of Islam?
While many associate the star and crescent moon with Islam, this symbol actually originated from the Ottoman Turks, who used it on their flags. In this episode, learn more about other colors and symbols commonly associated with Islam.
What Is Zoroastrianism?
Episode 20
What Is Zoroastrianism?
Zoroastrianism is one of most eclectic pre-Christian religious traditions, at one time spanning much of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Today, however, few know about this fascinating faith. Listen to this short episode to learn more about Zoroastrianism's history and beliefs.
When Was the Holy Qur’an Written?
Episode 21
When Was the Holy Qur’an Written?
The Holy Qur’an (sometimes spelled Koran), the primary sacred text in Islam, is one of the most-read books of all time, and it is one of the most frequently shared of all sacred texts. However, few outside of Islamic tradition know the details surrounding its origins. Listen to this short episode to learn more about when the Qur’an was compiled and how it came to be.
Who Is Jesus Christ?
Episode 22
Who Is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is the central figure in Christianity. Christians believe that he is the Son of God, a person who was simultaneously fully human and fully divine. But Jesus is not a figure found only in Christianity and dusty history books. He is also a revered figure in several other religions. Listen to this episode to learn more about the life of Jesus Christ.
Straight to Hell
Episode 23
Straight to Hell
None of us can resist the urge to wonder deeply about what will happen to us after our short lives here on Earth are over. The age-old question has a way of penetrating time, culture, income-level, place, and way of life that very few others can. In this special extended Answers episode, we're exploring what different religions believe about the afterlife and, in particular, how these different traditions conceive of the postmortal reality known as "hell," "hades," or "naraka."
When Was Jesus Born?
Episode 24
When Was Jesus Born?
The date of Jesus' birth may not seem that important. However, when we think about matters of calendaring, the use of “A.D.” or “B.C.” when we speak of historic events, or even some of the most popular Christian holidays, such as Christmas, it becomes evident that this is a more important question than one might think. Listen to this short episode to learn more about what we do and don't know about when Jesus was born.
How Accurate Is Today’s Christmas Story Compared to the Biblical Accounts?
Episode 25
How Accurate Is Today’s Christmas Story Compared to the Biblical Accounts?
The nativity story is ubiquitous during the Christmas season. It's so well-known that even non-Christians are familiar with most of the primary plot points. But when we compare the way the story is told in pageants and plays to the actual biblical accounts in Matthew and Luke, we quickly start to find differences and inaccuracies. Listen to this special extended episode to learn more about how today's nativity story compares to the biblical accounts.
Who Is Jesus in the World Religions?
Episode 26
Who Is Jesus in the World Religions?
Though Jesus is the central figure in the Christian tradition, many do not realize that He holds a place of honor and even importance in other world religions, such as Islam. Listen to this episode to learn more about the important place Jesus holds in religions other than Christianity.
Do Catholics Worship the Virgin Mary?
Episode 27
Do Catholics Worship the Virgin Mary?
The Virgin Mary is a central figure in the opening chapters of both Matthew's and Luke’s gospel, and early in Christian history, devotion to Mary became common in both the Eastern and the Western Christian traditions. However, many Protestant denominations today see Roman Catholic devotion to Mary as nothing short of idolatrous. In this Answers episode, we look at Mary's role in Roman Catholicism and answer the crucial question as to whether she is worshiped in the world's largest Christian denomination.
What Is Lent?
Episode 28
What Is Lent?
While Christmas may be more popular than Easter, from a theological perspective Easter is the most important Christian holiday; it is the commemoration of Christ’s glorious resurrection, upon which all Christians rely for their salvation. Lent is the sacred season leading up to Easter, the time during which many Christians seek to better their lives and increase their devotion to God. Listen to this episode to learn more about this important period in the Christian calendar.
Eat This, Don't Drink That: Why Religion Has Rules
Episode 29
Eat This, Don't Drink That: Why Religion Has Rules
Every single religion has practices that confound its members and non-members alike. And there are perhaps no religious "rules" as eyebrow-raising as those having to do with food. In this special extended episode, we're explaining the basics of some of those food restrictions as well as exploring some of the historical, cultural, and theological foundations beneath these often puzzling dietary restrictions.
Why Do the World's Main Religions Claim the Same Holy Places?
Episode 30
Why Do the World's Main Religions Claim the Same Holy Places?
So much of the decades-long conflict in the Middle East is rooted in disagreements between Jews, Muslims, and Christians about various shared holy sites. Of course, this well-documented situation is far from the only place on earth where important religious sites are argued about and fought over. More intriguing, though, is the number of sacred places around the world that are being peacefully shared by different religious streams. Listen to this special extended episode to learn more about how different religious traditions engage with each other over shared holy sites.
What Does It Mean to Speak in Tongues?
Episode 31
What Does It Mean to Speak in Tongues?
While speaking tongues may bring to mind unsettling or unorthodox images, you may be surprised to know that this gift of the Spirit was both authorized and even encouraged in biblical times, and it is present today in more denominations than most might think. Listen to this episode to learn more about the gift of speaking in tongues, its purposes, and its popularity today.
The Crucifixion of Jesus: Why Did He Have to Die?
Episode 32
The Crucifixion of Jesus: Why Did He Have to Die?
The first century execution of Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the single most well-known historical event ever recorded. But while the facts of his death are largely unchallenged nearly two millennia later, the purpose and meaning of his death is a source of much debate, discussion, and interpretation to this day. Listen to this special extended episode to learn more about Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and the various ways Christians interpret his death.
Why Does God Allow the Innocent to Suffer?
Episode 33
Why Does God Allow the Innocent to Suffer?
Suffering is one of the few universal human experiences. Because of this, every religious tradition attempts to address humanity's long struggle to understand why suffering, pain, and evil afflict our lives. In this special extended episode, join us as we explore how different religious streams approach the theological question known as "the problem of evil."
What Is the Oldest Religion in the World?
Episode 34
What Is the Oldest Religion in the World?
Of the the many religions still in existence, Hinduism is traditionally understood to be the oldest. Being the world's third largest faith tradition (behind Christianity and Islam), Hinduism has gone through many stages of development over the centuries. Listen to this episode to learn more about the ancient origins of Hinduism.
What Do the Major Religions Believe About Life After Death?
Episode 35
What Do the Major Religions Believe About Life After Death?
Wondering about what will happen to us after we die is a universal question that transcends time, space, and culture. Because this question is so deeply human, every single faith stream attempts to address this age-old question in one way or another. Listen to this episode of Answers to learn more about the three most common approaches the major religions of the world take regarding the afterlife.
What Are the Abrahamic Religions?
Episode 36
What Are the Abrahamic Religions?
Many already know that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are considered Abrahamic religions because of their shared beginnings with the biblical patriarch, Abraham. Lesser known, though, is the fact that there are other faith traditions (besides these three) that are also considered Abrahamic. Listen to this episode to learn more about these lesser known religions and some of the similarities and differences between the three "major" Abrahamic faiths.
What Was the Thorn in Paul's Flesh?
Episode 37
What Was the Thorn in Paul's Flesh?
The Apostle Paul famously declared that God had given him a “thorn in the flesh” that plagued him his entire life. Theories abound as to what exactly that “thorn” was. Listen to this short episode to hear some of the most common theories about Paul's thorn and why God would plague him with something so difficult.
Why Don't Muslims Eat Pork?
Episode 38
Why Don't Muslims Eat Pork?
Like Jews, Muslims are also instructed not to eat pork (as well as other foods), but many outside of that faith tradition don't understand why. Listen to this short episode to learn more about the Islamic prohibition against pork and how their dietary restrictions are meant to help Muslims get closer to Allah.
Is Hinduism Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Episode 39
Is Hinduism Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Most non-Hindus simply assume that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. However, in this episode you’ll learn that Hindu beliefs about God are much more nuanced than that, allowing for polytheism, monotheism, and even atheism.
Why Do Christians Think Jesus Needed to Be Crucified?
Episode 41
Why Do Christians Think Jesus Needed to Be Crucified?
While most Christians accept that Jesus’ death was necessary for our salvation, surprisingly, many can’t explain why it was necessary. In this episode, we will briefly examine various atonement theories and how each attempts to explain why Jesus had to die for the world to be saved.
How Are Hinduism and Buddhism Similar?
Episode 42
How Are Hinduism and Buddhism Similar?
Because Buddhism is a break-off from the Hindu faith, the teachings and practices of these two traditions can seem quite similar at times. In this episode, we explore some of the similarities between these two ancient and enormous faith traditions.
Can Non-Muslims Go to a Mosque?
Episode 43
Can Non-Muslims Go to a Mosque?
Prejudices and misconceptions about Islam are common in the West, particularly since 9/11. For many non-Muslims, this religion often feels standoffish and closed to outsiders. This perception has led to the commonly held belief that non-Muslims are not allowed inside of mosques. Listen to this episode to learn a bit more about whether Muslims really do exclude non-Muslims from their houses of worship and what may be behind such exclusivity, if it does exist.
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