Why Religion? Audiobook By Elaine Pagels cover art

Why Religion?

A Personal Story

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Why Religion?

By: Elaine Pagels
Narrated by: Eunice Wong
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$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 5, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

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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. Here 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.

 Biographies & Memoirs Religious Religious Studies Sociology Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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Personal Memoir • Scholarly Insight • Excellent Narration • Emotional Depth • Intellectual Rigor • Moving Storytelling

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Questions I have struggled over for decades were enlightened with new dimensions through Elaine Pagels struggle to understand in the midst of deep grief and near despair. I am so grateful for her transparency and generosity in sharing this profound story.

Magnificent!

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The narration was wonderful. the book was interesting, but for me sort of a misleading title. It would have been better off titled, ' My Life', not Why Relion. No doubt the author is a great historian of religions. The book from that perspective was very interesting and informational, but I did not see anything to answer, why religion? I could not tell if the author was a religious individual and believer or just a darn good historian. And I mean a very good historian. So I'm not disappointed that I read or listened to the book and I would encourage other people to do that, but I was looking for an answer why religion? As a personal memoir it was a fantastic book.

Why Religion ? Not Sure?

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It's not often you get to listen to a book that weaves together scholarship, a personal narrative of love and loss, spiritual exploration, and a new take on life. And with heart and insight and impact! This is a rare book.

Most revealing and insightful

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Elaine Pagels has deep insights into suffering and grace in one's understanding of God. In bringing in extra-canonical writings plus other writings sheds new light, for me, much better than the simple Evangelical Christian views which I grew up with. My husband and I met in an Evangelical seminary and had we brought up questions as Elaine brings forth, we would have been kicked out. She is an excellent author as I read more of her writings.

Mystery in suffering

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Elaine's story spoke to my heart, echoing many feelings I myself have felt while dealing with tragic personal loss. thank you, Elaine, for sharing these pieces of yourself with the world.

moving, emotional work

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