Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems

The number of nonreligious people has increased dramatically over the past several decades, yet scholarship on the nonreligious is severely lacking.

Surveys over the last twenty years have seen an ever-growing number of Americans disclaim religious affiliations and instead check the "e;none"e; box.

Surveys over the last twenty years have seen an ever-growing number of Americans disclaim religious affiliations and instead check the "e;none"e; box.

Beginning in January 1692, Salem Village in colonial Massachusetts witnessed the largest and most lethal outbreak of witchcraft in early America.

June O.

Over the last decade, "e;New Atheists"e; such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion.

Over the last decade, "e;New Atheists"e; such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion.

Alchemists are generally held to be the quirky forefathers of science, blending occultism with metaphysical pursuits.

Since the emergence of religious studies and the social sciences as academic disciplines, the concept of "e;magic"e; has played a major role in defining religion and in mediating the relation of religion to science.

Atheists are frequently demonized as arrogant intellectuals, antagonistic to religion, devoid of moral sentiments, advocates of an "e;anything goes"e; lifestyle.

Imagine yourself sitting on the cool damp earth, surrounded by deep night sky and fields full of fireflies, anticipating the ritual of initiation that you are about to undergo.

The Mandaeans are a Gnostic sect that arose in the middle east around the same time as Christianity.

Is it possible to be spiritual and yet not believe in the supernatural?

For many of us, the question of whether or not God exists is one of the most perplexing and profound questions of our lives, and numerous philosophers and theologians have debated it for centuries.

For many of us, the question of whether or not God exists is one of the most perplexing and profound questions of our lives, and numerous philosophers and theologians have debated it for centuries.

A significant number of Americans view atheists as immoral elitists, aloof and unconcerned with the common good, and they view science and scientists as responsible.

A significant number of Americans view atheists as immoral elitists, aloof and unconcerned with the common good, and they view science and scientists as responsible.

The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has skyrocketed in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down.

The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has skyrocketed in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Based in the idea that social phenomena are best studied through the lens of different disciplinary perspectives, Empty Churches studies the growing number of individuals who no longer affiliate with a religious tradition.

Based in the idea that social phenomena are best studied through the lens of different disciplinary perspectives, Empty Churches studies the growing number of individuals who no longer affiliate with a religious tradition.

In this penetrating and provocative assessment of the current state of religion and its effects on society at large, Philip J.

Throughout history, magic has been as widely and passionately practiced as religion.

Comprising well over a thousand pages of densely written Aramaic, the compilation of texts known as the Zohar represents the collective wisdom of various strands of Jewish mysticism, or kabbalah, up to the thirteenth century.

Augustine's Early Thought on the Redemptive Function of Divine Judgement considers the relationship between Augustine's account of God's judgment and his theology of grace in his early works.

Augustine's Early Thought on the Redemptive Function of Divine Judgement considers the relationship between Augustine's account of God's judgment and his theology of grace in his early works.

'a brilliant history' The Sunday Times 'makes for riveting reading' The IndependentModern pagan witchcraft is arguably the only fully-formed religion England has given the world, and has now spread across four continents.

'a brilliant history' The Sunday Times 'makes for riveting reading' The IndependentModern pagan witchcraft is arguably the only fully-formed religion England has given the world, and has now spread across four continents.

Imagining the Witch explores emotions, gender, and selfhood through the lens of witch-trials in early modern Germany.

Imagining the Witch explores emotions, gender, and selfhood through the lens of witch-trials in early modern Germany.

A Supernatural War reveals the surprising stories of extraordinary people in a world caught up with the promise of occult powers.

A Supernatural War reveals the surprising stories of extraordinary people in a world caught up with the promise of occult powers.

Purity, Community, and Ritual in Early Christian Literature investigates the meaning of purity, purification, defilement, and disgust for Christian writers, readers, and listeners from the first to third centuries.

Purity, Community, and Ritual in Early Christian Literature investigates the meaning of purity, purification, defilement, and disgust for Christian writers, readers, and listeners from the first to third centuries.

Why do the innocent suffer in a world created by a loving God?

Why do the innocent suffer in a world created by a loving God?

America Bewitched is the first major history of witchcraft in America - from the Salem witch trials of 1692 to the present day.

America Bewitched is the first major history of witchcraft in America - from the Salem witch trials of 1692 to the present day.

Defining 'magic' is a maddening task.

Defining 'magic' is a maddening task.

Ronald Hutton is known for his colourful and provocative writings on original subjects.

Witchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they?

Witchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they?

This volume, the first in a major new series which will provide authoritative texts of key non-canonical gospel writings, comprises a critical edition, with full translations, of all the extant manuscripts of the Gospel of Mary.

What is a grimoire?

Ronald Hutton is known for his colourful and provocative writings on original subjects.

Magic and Impotence in the Middle Ages investigates the common medieval belief that magic could cause impotence, focusing particularly on the period 1150-1450.

What is a grimoire?

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was one of the most admired astronomers who ever lived and a key figure in the scientific revolution.

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was one of the most admired astronomers who ever lived and a key figure in the scientific revolution.