Why Religion?: A Personal Story

New York Times bestseller

One of PW's Best Books of the Year

One of Amazon's Best Books of the Month

Why is religion still around in the twenty-first century? Why do so many still believe? And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything from sexuality to politics, whether they are religious or not? In Why Religion? Elaine Pagels looks to her own life to help address these questions.

These questions took on a new urgency for Pagels when dealing with unimaginable loss--the death of her young son, followed a year later by the shocking loss of her husband. In this unforgettable autobiography memoir, she interweaves a personal story with the work that she loves, illuminating how, for better and worse, religious traditions have shaped how we understand ourselves; how we relate to one another; and, most importantly, how to get through the most difficult challenges we face.

Drawing upon the perspectives of neurologists, anthropologists, and historians, as well as her own research, Pagels opens unexpected ways of understanding persistent religious aspects of our culture.

A provocative and deeply moving account from one of the most compelling religious thinkers at work today, Why Religion? explores the spiritual dimension of human experience.

In this profound work of spiritual nonfiction, Pagels offers a brave and intimate look at the intersection of history and the human heart:

• A Heartbreaking Grief Memoir: Follow Pagels through the unimaginable loss of her young son and husband, and see how personal tragedy reshaped her understanding of faith and resilience.
• The History of Religion: Journey with a master scholar as she explores how ancient traditions continue to shape modern life, from our politics to our most private moments, whether we are religious or not.
• Belief and Doubt: Confront the essential questions of the 21st century--Why do we still believe? What does it mean to be a skeptic? And how can we find meaning in an age of science?
• A Luminous Spiritual Journey: Discover unexpected ways of understanding the spiritual dimension of human experience, drawn from a lifetime of research and a quest for answers in the face of profound loss.