History Hit
The Silk Roads: Ideas and Religion: Manichaeism & Islam
Why did Manichaeism fail and where was it popular in the west? Where is Islam situated in China and when did it come there? The Silk Roads: Ideas and Religion, Part 3
Religion for Breakfast
The History of Hell
Hell is well-known in popular culture and is a widespread belief among Christian communities today. But where did this doctrine come from? Jewish apocalyptic literature from the 2nd Temple period reveals the idea was evolving even before...
Religion for Breakfast
The Origins of the Jesus Fish
In this episode we examine the topic: The Origins of the Jesus Fish
Mr. Beat
Why Do People Hate Jews?
What causes antisemitism? Mr. Beat takes a deep dive to answer this question.
Curated Video
Romania, Bucovina Painted Monasteries
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (in northeastern Romania). Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and...
History Hit
The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan: Columbus was not looking for America
What was the whole process of European discovery? What does Britain have to do with the silk roads? The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan, Part 2
Religion for Breakfast
The Second Book of Enoch Explained
In this episode we examine the topic: The Second Book of Enoch Explained
KERA
Teens in Agriculture
In Texas, vast expanses of farmland have been converted to urban land over the last several decades. As farmland changed to cityscapes, children growing up in these areas have had fewer and fewer opportunities to interact with nature....
Religion for Breakfast
Emperor Constantine Did NOT Choose the Books of the Bible
One of the most enduring myths today about the Council of Nicaea is that the council members voted on which books to include in the Bible. This myth is sometimes expanded to include Emperor Constantine as some driving political force...
Religion for Breakfast
The 3 Wise Men: Ancient Magicians?
"Wise men" or "Magi?" What did this mean for the inhabitants of the ancient Mediterranean?
Religion for Breakfast
Religious Practice Precedes Religious Belief?
"Religion is a belief system" is a common definition that I've seen around. However, I see this definition as obscuring other important dimensions of religion beyond the interior thought processes of religious adherents.
Step Back History
Did JESUS Beat Columbus to the Americas?
So, I’m a Youtuber, and I’ve been doing this series about the crackpot theories about people who discovered America before Columbus, and, well you’re gonna be in the penultimate episode! How good for you! So, let me tell you about the...
History Hit
The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan: Our thoughts on history
What do we normally do when we think about history? Is there a problem thinking this way? The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan, Part 1
History Hit
Tom Holland on the Birth of Islam: The Quran and Islamic power
Why do muslims care so much about where certain elements of their faith, and civilization came from? How did Islam overcome the Persians and the Romans? Tom Holland on the Birth of Islam, Part 2
Religion for Breakfast
Saturnalia Explained
What is Saturnalia? You may have heard of this Roman holiday, but the details are scant and fragmentary from Roman sources. This video explains what we know about Saturnalia and whether or not it influenced the institution of Christmas.
Curated Video
Jerusalem - The Temple Mount or al-Haram al-Sherif
The Temple Mount or al-Haram al-Sherif, holy to both Jews and Muslims. According to the Bible, the Jewish Temples stood on the Temple Mount. According to Jewish tradition and scripture, the First Temple was built by King Solomon the son...
Amor Sciendi
Last Judgment: The Chemistry of Blue
We discuss Michelangelo's Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel, and pause to admire the deep blue pigment called ultramarine.
Religion for Breakfast
Did Christianity Steal the Egyptian Ankh?
The Egyptian hieroglyphic ankh looks kind of similar to the Christian cross. This has lead some conspiracy theorists to argue that Christians copied the ankh for their own religious symbol: the cross. This his basically false, BUT there...
Religion for Breakfast
What Would Jesus Drink?
The Last Supper is one of the most famous scenes from the Gospels. It is a story that has inspired the Eucharist, the central ritual of most Christian worship. But what sort of wine was available to Jesus in the early first century CE?
Religion for Breakfast
Why is Christmas on December 25th?
Everyone assumes that early Church authorities chose December 25th for Christmas to coincide with the already popular Roman holiday of Saturnalia. This may have some basis in reality, but there is another theory: That Christians believed...
History Hit
The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan: A thousand kilometers of sand & Why silk?
What were three challenges of travel on the silk roads? How did the name silk road come about? The Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan, Part 3
Learning Mole
Easter
This animated video class is all about Easter.Students will love this engaging and interactive video as they learn about events around the world.
Curated Video
Romania, Bucovina - Voronet Painted Monastery
Perhaps the most famous and stunning of the painted monasteries is Voronet (Vo ro nets), founded in 1487 by Stephen the Great to celebrate a victory over the Turks. Widely known throughout Europe as "the Sistine Chapel of the East" due...
Religion for Breakfast
Gospel of Judas: What Does It Really Say?
The Gospel of Judas caused a huge stir when National Geographic published it back in 2006. But to this day, misconceptions about this text abound. Who wrote this text? And what does it really say?