Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, became patroness of the United States before the Vatican officially defined that belief as dogma.
Articles on Mary
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Women’s preaching is controversial in some Christian denominations – but key to the biblical story of Jesus’ resurrection.
My critiques of Mary centre around two themes. One is the way it perpetuates conservative ideals around women and gender. The other is its misrepresentations of Jews and Judaism.
A new Netflix biopic has resurfaced arguments over whether Jesus, a Jewish man, was Palestinian. Was he? Or are these claims cultural and political appropriation? A historian of religion explains.
A vision of Jesus – or just some burnt bread? It will now be much harder for a Catholic apparition to be declared ‘supernatural’. Here’s why.
A stained-glass window, which shows Jesus as a Black man for the first time, tells a story not only of race but of gender, class and ethnicity.
The famous apparition of the Virgin Mary has come to symbolize Mexico, but other groups – particularly migrants and Latinos north of the border – also feel a special connection to Guadalupe.
As Christmas approaches, Nativity scenes showing three wise men visiting the newborn Jesus are put up around the world. A scholar of Christian literature offers an explanation on their identity.
Saint Sophia Cathedral was built under the reign of Grand Prince Yaroslav, whose father, Volodymyr, converted the region to Christianity.
Many religions have been used to prop up nationalism, and Catholicism is no exception, as a Jesuit priest and scholar explains.
To many Ukrainians, Jesus’ mother has a special relationship with their country.
Belief in the eternal virginity of Mary has inflicted damage to women, who can never attain her sexless motherhood or unsullied ‘purity’. Yet in the Gospels, Mary is strong-minded and courageous.
Nativity scenes showing the birth of baby Jesus first originated in the small Italian town of Greccio.
Family is not a clearly defined structure in the story: It isn’t biological or reflective of some ‘norm.’ It is instead a choice to stick together, come what may.
The Alabama state auditor defended Roy Moore, citing Mary and Joseph. A scholar goes back to early Christian texts texts to explain lesser-known beliefs about the relationship.
Top contributors
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Emeritus Professor in the History of Religious Thought, The University of Queensland
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Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Michigan State University
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Elizabeth Kahl Figge Chair in Catholic Studies, University of Iowa
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Director of the Marian Library and Professor, University of Dayton
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Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Arizona State University
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Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emerita, College of the Holy Cross
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Director of Catholic Studies, Georgetown University
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Stewart Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity College, University of Divinity, University of Divinity
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President, Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
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Senior Lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies, University of Sheffield
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Professor of Religious Studies, Wake Forest University
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Religious Collections Librarian/Archivist and Associate Professor, University Libraries, University of Dayton
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Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Art Collections and Exhibits, University of Dayton
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Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Ferrum College