Religion

Religion and spirituality, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and more, are at the core of human values and history.

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Believe it or not, some books just didn’t make the cut to be in the Bible. Watch as we countdown the top 10 rejected books of the Bible, in this History Countdown episode.

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Shanxi Datong Yungang Grottoes giant Buddha statue, China's ancient architectural tourist attractions, purely man-made by the ancient people to bring a huge culture shock

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Featured Overview

Believe it or not, some books just didn’t make the cut to be in the Bible. Watch as we countdown the top 10 rejected books of the Bible, in this History Countdown episode.

9:36m watch

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How the Renaissance Influenced Reformation

As interest in cultural, intellectual and scientific exploration flourished, support for an all-powerful church diminished.

Islamic Center of Washington in Washington, D.C.

Small mosques may have been built in America in the 16th century, but these structures constructed later persist to this day.

Shadowy black and white print showing the back of a kneeling woman reaching up toward a tall robed god, with a dead man lying on the ground beside her

Jesus wasn't the only one believed to have risen from the dead. Stories of resurrection appear in ancient cultures around the world.

Who Wrote the Bible?

Scholars have investigated the issue for centuries, but many questions persist.

Ramadan

Ramadan

Ramadan is the most holy Islamic holiday.

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Religion
Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015 in Vatican.

The ancient office of the pope is rich in symbols and insignia. Here are some of the most visible and meaningful of the papal symbols.

ISRAEL-ARCHEOLOGY-RELIGION-DEAD-SEA-SCROLLS-INTERNET

These discoveries tie biblical stories to the history of the ancient world.

Noah's great flood in the Bible may have been inspired by actual events, at least according to one famous archaeologist. And if the flood really happened...could the boat have survived? Many explorers have tried to find out.

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Mother Theresa

Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor.

Muslim people praying around the Kaaba in Mecca.

The Hajj is the most ritualistic obligation in Islam and one of the largest Muslim pilgrimages in the world. It takes place once a year across several sacred sites in and around the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia—the birthplace of Islam.

Islamic Center of Washington in Washington, D.C.

Small mosques may have been built in America in the 16th century, but these structures constructed later persist to this day.

Shadowy black and white print showing the back of a kneeling woman reaching up toward a tall robed god, with a dead man lying on the ground beside her

Jesus wasn't the only one believed to have risen from the dead. Stories of resurrection appear in ancient cultures around the world.

Believe it or not, some books just didn’t make the cut to be in the Bible. Watch as we countdown the top 10 rejected books of the Bible, in this History Countdown episode.

9:36m watch

The Seven Deadly Sins and Where They Came From

The idea of listing the vices began in the fourth century.

Who Wrote the Bible?

Scholars have investigated the issue for centuries, but many questions persist.

Shroud of Turin

The controversial shroud that is claimed to have once covered the body of Jesus first appeared in the 1350s and is now available for online viewing.

an open King James Bible

While historians and scholars debate many aspects of Jesus' life, most agree on what language he mainly spoke.

Eve offering the forbidden fruit to Adam, detail of bas-reliefs on the facade of Orvieto cathedral, Umbria, Italy, 13th-14th century

Around the globe, the serpent carries potent symbolism.

HISTORY: Satanism

Satanism is a modern, largely non-theistic religion based on literary, artistic and philosophical interpretations of the central figure of evil. It wasn’t until the 1960s that an official Satanic church was formed by Anton LaVey.

The Sunni-Shia Divide

The split between the two main sects within Islam goes back some 1,400 years.

Thomas Jefferson's Bible

The third president had a secret: his carefully edited version of the New Testament.

Abraham Lincoln and family

As a young man, Lincoln openly admitted to his lack of faith. As a politician, he spoke about God but refused to say he was a Christian.

Learn about the story of Pontius Pilate in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

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Learn about the story of Mary Magdelene in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

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Learn about the story of Judas in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

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Learn about the story of Joseph in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

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Not only was it the first 'people's Bible,' but its poetic cadences and vivid imagery have had an enduring influence on Western culture.

Judas' Betrayal

Once one of Jesus’s most trusted disciples, Judas became the poster child for treachery and cowardice.

Historical accounts of the man who sentenced Jesus to death paint him as arrogant and cruel; the Bible goes easier on him, shifting the blame.

What's really known about the Bible's most mysterious woman?

Still photo from HISTORY® Channel's series 'Jesus: His Life'

Some argue that Jesus wasn't an actual man, but within a few decades of his lifetime, he was mentioned by Jewish and Roman historians.

Gospels recount that it was delivered on a platter to Herod Antipas. After that, things got murky.

Still from the HISTORY® Channel series 'Jesus: His Life'

He is one of the most commonly painted figures in Western art. But what do we really know about his appearance?

The Koran

Readers like Thomas Jefferson were curious to learn about the Ottoman Empire’s religion and laws.

While Jewish people today observe Hanukkah by retelling the story of Judah and the Maccabees, there is another story that used to be told: the tale of Judith and a severed head.

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A sixth-century image discovered in Israel depicts Jesus with short, curly hair.

The Shroud of Turin- A Fake?

The latest analysis adds to a centuries-long debate over the shroud’s authenticity.

A caravan of Mormons camping in the desert on their way to Utah. (Credit: Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images)

Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite of passage they saw as necessary in order to find their promised land.

Crucifixion

Scientists say wounds found on the heel of a man buried some 2,000 years ago in northern Italy suggest he had been nailed to a wooden cross.

Protesters in Gaza

This 140-square-mile stretch of land located along the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Israel, has endured decades of protest, military operations and violence.

Wicca history

WHAT IS WICCA? Wicca is considered a modern interpretation of pre-Christian traditions, though some involved claim a direct line to ancient practices. It may be practiced by individuals or members of groups (sometimes known as covens). Wicca also has so...

Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle In Time, first edition. (Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com & PBA Galleries)

Before it was a Disney movie, many thought the book was heretical.

HISTORY: Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago. Arguably the world’s first monotheistic faith, it’s one of the oldest religions still in existence. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three Persian dynasties, until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the seventh century A.D. Zoroastrian refugees, called Parsis, escaped Muslim persecution in Iran by emigrating to India. Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshipers worldwide, and is practiced today as a minority religion in parts of Iran and India.

The Bible

The Bible is the holy scripture of the Christian religion, purporting to tell the history of the Earth from its earliest creation to the spread of Christianity in the first century A.D. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament have undergone significant changes over the centuries, including the the publication of the King James Bible in 1611 and the addition of several books that were discovered later.

Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions.

HISTORY: Judaism

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets. History is essential to understanding the Jewish faith, which is embedded in tradition, law and culture.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, or Carmel Mission, near Monterey, California, was established in June 1770, one of the largest Franciscan missions built along the California coast during the 18th century.

Junipero Serra Although Spain claimed California as its territory in 1542, Spaniards didn’t try to occupy the land until the late 1700s. Around the time of the first missions, Spain had a considerable presence in Mexico. In 1769, the Spanish king ordere...

Mormon Family with Two Wives and Nine Children (Original Caption) Mormons. Typical Mormon family, PA. Two wives and nine children. Photograph of the 1870's.

Beliefs Mormons consider themselves Christians, but many Christians don’t recognize Mormonism as an official denomination. Mormons believe in the crucifixion, resurrection and divinity of Jesus Christ. Followers claim that God sent more prophets after J...

Vatican Secret Archives

The archives’ treasures are the stuff of legend—but their existence is absolutely real.

A prisoner undergoing torture at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition, c. 1500. Monks in the background wait for his confession with quill and paper.

The Inquisition was a powerful office within the Catholic Church which rooted out and punished heresy throughout Europe and the Americas for hundreds of years.

Dr Martin Luther, 1483-1546

Five centuries after his defiant act, scholars question whether it actually happened.

Ancient Origins of Diwali

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is primarily celebrated by followers of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths.

HISTORY: Christianity

Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with more than 2 billion followers. The Christian faith centers on beliefs regarding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

HISTORY: Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (“The Buddha”) more than 2,500 years ago in India. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major world religions.

HISTORY: Hinduism

Hinduism is a compilation of many traditions and philosophies and is considered by many scholars to be the world’s oldest religion, dating back more than 4,000 years. Today it is the third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam.

Rastafarianism, Rastafari, Tamara I, Prime Minister of the Rastafarian nation declared in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is at left. He was born Anthony Leroy in Haiti. At right is his chief advisor, Saloman Mu-sa-ya, who calls himself Ambassador General of the Rastafarian nation.

Rising from the proliferation of Ethiopianism and Pan-Africanism, Rastafarianism took root in Jamaica following the coronation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930. A spiritual movement based on the belief in Selassie’s divinity, its followers ...

Church of Scientology Building on 4810 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles

L. Ron Hubbard and “Dianetics” Born in 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska, Lafayette Ron Hubbard left George Washington University, where he was studying civil engineering, after two years. He later launched a successful career writing stories for “pulp” magazine...

Painting depicting the “Cadaver Synod.”

From crucifixion to suffocation, poisoning to beheading and stoning to starvation, check out 10 particularly gruesome deaths suffered by popes in the early history of the Catholic Church.

An aerial view of St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione in Vatican City.

The Vatican’s history as the seat of the Catholic Church began with the construction of a basilica over St. Peter’s grave in Rome in the 4th century A.D. The area developed into a popular pilgrimage site and commercial district, although it was abandone...

ROME, ITALY - 856: Legendary female Pope Joan who allegedly reigned from 855 to 858 in 856 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

The Vatican’s official records state that all of the more than 260 Catholic popes have been men, but according to a medieval legend, a lady pontiff may have reigned for a brief period in the ninth century. As the story goes, this “Pope Joan” was a young woman who disguised herself as a man and […]

The Buddha alongside an image from an earlier CT scan.

A medical examination of a 1,000-year-old Buddha statue has revealed a shocking surprise hidden inside.

Replica of the Ark of the Covenant, a gold-covered wooden chest described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to various texts within the Hebrew Bible, it also contained Aaron's rod and a pot of manna.

An ancient Hebrew text provides clues to what may have happened to the Ark of the Covenant, along with the other treasures in King Solomon’s Temple.

Copper deposits in Israel's Timna Valley, now a national park.

A recent discovery has shed new light on an age-old mystery.

The Temple Scroll, from the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran, scroll number 11Q20, late 1st century BC - early 1st century AD, ink on parchment, Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

From their accidental discovery to their sale in the classifieds, find out more about the ancient collection of texts.

Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Explore 10 things you may not know about the seat of the Catholic Church.

The procession of the Sacred College of Cardinals file into the Sistine Chapel where they will be locked inside to begin the conclave to elect a successor to Pope John Paul I.

A glimpse inside the famously secretive papal conclave.

Did you know the Vatican is the smallest nation-state in the world? Get all the facts and figures.

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After the Mexican-American War, the Mormon settlement of Deseret was claimed by the U.S. government.

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Witches were perceived as evil beings by early Christians in Europe, inspiring the iconic Halloween figure.

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Henry VIII's marital problems lead to a break with the Catholic Church and decades of conflict as England becomes a Protestant nation.

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A closer look at Christianity's take on judgement day.

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Dating the Reformation Historians usually date the start of the Protestant Reformation to the 1517 publication of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses.” Its ending can be placed anywhere from the 1555 Peace of Augsburg, which allowed for the coexistence of Cathol...

Brigham Young, presidential pardon

Brigham Young succeeded founder Joseph Smith as the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1847; he led the church until his death in 1877. After guiding an exodus of thousands of Mormons westward to the Great Salt Lake Valley, Young founded Salt Lake City and served as the first governor of the Utah Territory.

Religions on the End of the World, Judgment day, fall of rebel angels

Since the beginning of recorded time, people have been thinking about the end of the world. As such, the planet’s major religions have formulated elaborate viewpoints on this topic. In Christianity, the Bible’s Book of Revelation details Armageddon, the...

Martin LutherMartin Luther, (Eisleben, 1483, Eisleben, 1546), German reformer, Doctor of Theology and Augustinian priest, In 1517, outlined the main thesis of Lutheranism in Wittenberg, He was excommunicated in 1520, Martin Luther nailed to the door of the Wittenberg castle church his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (31/10/1517), Colored engraving. (Photo by Prisma/UIG/Getty Images)

Martin Luther was a German theologian who challenged a number of teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. His 1517 document, "95 Theses," sparked the Protestant Reformation. Read a summary of the document, the reasons he wrote it and watch a brief video.

For years there was speculation that on December 21, 2012, the world as we know it would end. Some predicted that we’d be wiped out by a natural disaster like a giant tidal wave, an Earth-wide earthquake or a tremendous volcanic eruption.