For a few decades in the early-mid 20th century, the sermons of a number of African-American preachers were recorded on "wax" (or vinyl records) and distributed widely, a phenomenon that became known as "phonograph religion."  Prof. Lerone Martin, an assistant professor at the John C. Danforth Center for Religion & Politics at Washington University, joins us to discuss this fascinating period in history and bring along a couple audio clips for us to enjoy and analyze.  Dr. Martin begins by...

Keep on reading: Lerone Martin on Preaching on Wax and Phonograph Religion

In an era dominated by a Protestant ethos, how did atheists manage to make their presence known?  Prof. Leigh Eric Schmidt, a Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis and fellow at the Danforth Center on Religion & Politics, joins us to discuss his latest book Village Atheists: How America's Unbelievers Made Their Way in a Godly Nation.  We begin with Prof. Schmidt's own intellectual journey from studying evangelicals to his latest work on unbelievers in...

Keep on reading: Leigh Eric Schmidt on Village Atheists

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Who believes in the ghosts, UFOs, and Bigfoot?  And why?  This has been the topic of investigation of Prof. Christopher Bader, a professor of sociology at Chapman University, for over two decades.  As Chris was one of our very first guests on this podcast, we invite him back to discuss the second edition of  his boo...

Keep on reading: Chris Bader on the Paranormal

Our annual Halloween special takes us to the world of the undead, tracking the history and transformation of the zombie genre.  Prof. Roger Luckhurst -- a professor of Modern Literature at Birkbeck, University of London -- joins us from across the Atlantic to discuss his fascinating research into science fiction, horror, trauma, and ... of course ... zombies.  After finding out how Prof. Luckhurst became enthralled with this aspect of modern literature and the reaction he has received to his...

Keep on reading: Roger Luckhurst on Zombies!

Due to illness and windstorms, the staff at RoR is taking a short break.  In the meantime, here is a conversation from three years ago regarding survey research, a still-timely episode given all the polling data we are hearing on a daily basis.  Enjoy and know that we will be back with crescent fresh episodes soon, including some spooky stuff for Halloween.

Dr. Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll and author of the new book God Is Alive and Well, joins us to talk about how surv...

Keep on reading: Frank Newport on Survey Research and American Religiosity (Encore Presentation)

The Apostle Paul (née Saul) was a central figure in early Christianity, with his adventures being written about in Acts and his many writings making their way into the New Testament, earning him the title of Saint Paul in some Christian circles.  But a careful reading of Paul's writings through 21st century eyes would give the appearance that he was a racist, chauvinistic jerk.  Prof. Brandon O'Brien, an assistant professor of Christian theology at Ouachita Baptist University and co-author...

Keep on reading: Brandon O’Brien on Paul Behaving Badly

Historians and sociologists have long been puzzled by the falling rates of interpersonal violence over the course of the past few centuries.  Despite a few upticks at localized moments, murder rates have been falling in urban areas contrary what one might expect.  William (Bill) Reimer, author of Revisiting "Toronto the Good": Violence, Religion and Culture in a Late Victorian City, looks at this phenomenon at the micro-level via an exploration of a Canadian "city of churches" in the late...

Keep on reading: William Reimer on Religion & Violence in Toronto

Have you ever stopped to think about what your purpose in life is?  Or do you wonder if life has any meaning?  Prof. Paul Froese, professor of sociology at Baylor University and resident scholar at Baylor's Institute for Studies of Religion, has thought about these questions, but more importantly he has thought about how other people think about this question.  Prof. Froese takes us on a journey beginning with how he started to think about thinking about the purpose in life, which also...

Keep on reading: Paul Froese on the Meaning of Life

In light of several recent Supreme Court cases -- most notably Hobby Lobby and Obergefell -- the issue of the First Amendment's free exercise clause has come to the public's attention, particularly as it pertains to public employees.  When Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples based upon her religious beliefs, a debate arose about how religious freedom applies to government officials.  Anticipating potential conflicts that might arise...

Keep on reading: Laura Olson on Attitudes towards Religious Free Exercise

Why were Catholic chaplains in the British Army more likely to die at the frontlines than their Anglican counterparts in World War I?  Prof. Ron Hassner (UC-Berkeley) explains that this odd phenomenon can be traced to the importance of religious ritual in affecting how military combat is conducted.  The ritualistic importance to Catholics of administering last rites to dying soldiers meant that Catholic chaplains tended to be amongst combatants when bullets were flying.  We use this initial...

Keep on reading: Ron Hassner on Religion on the Battlefield