Summary of Elaine Pagels's Why Religion?

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 I was 15 when I went to hear Billy Graham preach in San Francisco. His preaching was intense, and he offered nothing less than a new life. Born again, I could break free of my family and enter the family of a heavenly father, who knew everything about me yet loved me unconditionally.

#2 I was raised in a white, Methodist church. I was terrified of the Catholic church next door, where the Catholics would burn incense and statues of Jesus, while the Methodists would color pictures of Bible stories and pray to Jesus.

#3 I grew up in Palo Alto, a city in California. I had vowed never to live there again after experiencing the soft edges of the town, which I found to be very uncomfortable. I was very afraid of my father, who was a scientist and very reserved.

#4 I learned about love from my parents. My mother was reserved, but still loved me completely. She had been orphaned as a child, and had never seen a closer couple. When her mother died, she was completely devastated, but quickly got over it and got married again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822527461

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights on Elaine Pagels's Why Religion?

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

I was 15 when I went to hear Billy Graham preach in San Francisco. His preaching was intense, and he offered nothing less than a new life. Born again, I could break free of my family and enter the family of a heavenly father, who knew everything about me yet loved me unconditionally.

#2

I was raised in a white, Methodist church. I was terrified of the Catholic church next door, where the Catholics would burn incense and statues of Jesus, while the Methodists would color pictures of Bible stories and pray to Jesus.

#3

I grew up in Palo Alto, a city in California. I had vowed never to live there again after experiencing the soft edges of the town, which I found to be very uncomfortable. I was very afraid of my father, who was a scientist and very reserved.

#4

I learned about love from my parents. My mother was reserved, but still loved me completely. She had been orphaned as a child, and had never seen a closer couple. When her mother died, she was completely devastated, but quickly got over it and got married again.

#5

I had a very difficult time fitting in with my church family, and I often felt stifled. But I found comfort in the company of friends who acted at the community theater. We would sing loudly as we drove around town.

#6

I met a friend named Paul, who