GET EXCLUSICE ACCESS TO THE MOST COMPELLING
Religion Scholars,
Storytellers and Thinkers
- Before your next debate: learn how the story of the Buddha evolved from history into sacred myth with Dr. Donald S. Lopez Jr
- Instead of mindless scrolling: follow the centuries-long search for the lost tribes of Israel with Dr. Andrew Tobolowsky
- For your next identity crisis: explore belief, ritual, power, and the sacred with Dr. Andrew Henry
- Sound smarter at dinner parties: explore Indigenous plant knowledge and religion with Dr. Rosalyn LaPier
$8.25 a month (billed annually). Less than a night out for a year of access
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
What's in every
Religion Department membership?
Access to cutting-edge classes and lectures
Join live lectures and watch past sessions anytime in our growing archive.
New classes and guest talks added regularly
Fresh conversations and new perspectives from leading scholars every month.
Live sessions with Andrew Henry and leading scholars
Ask questions, join discussions, and learn directly from the experts.
A growing library you can explore anytime
Unlimited access to recordings, past lectures, and member resources.
Member-only seminars
(50% off)
Get exclusive discounts on new seminars and premium courses.
A community of people who actually care about ideas
Join guided readings and thoughtful discussions with curious minds.
ACTIVE COURSES
Currently Enrolling
Reading Group
8-Week Seminar
Reading Group
Guest Lecture
These aren’t influencers summarizing ideas.
They’re scholars and creators who’ve spent years studying how religion actually works.
A smarter way
to think about religion
Religion shapes politics, culture, morality, identity, and how billions of people understand reality.
But most conversations about religion fall apart fast.
They become ideology, debates or even overconfident claims from people who don’t really understand it.
The Religion Department gives you more than information.Â
It gives you a new way of thinking.
A clear framework for understanding religion the way scholars do.
WORLD-CLASS SCHOLARS
Learn from the people
who actually study this for a living
Dr. Andrew Henry
AÂ scholar of late Roman religion and creator of Religion for Breakfast, specializing in magic and demonology.
Dr. Donald S. Lopez Jr.
A distinguished Buddhist studies scholar and author exploring Buddhism’s history and teachings.
Dr. Rosalyn LaPier
A historian and ethnobotanist exploring Indigenous ecological knowledge and Native American relationships with nature.
Dr. Rachel Carbonara
A contemporary spirituality scholar at Princeton, researching “spiritual-but-not-religious” beliefs and practices.
Thorn Mooney
A Religious Studies scholar at UNC, researching marginalized spiritual communities, paranormal practices, and new religious movements.
Dr. Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
A religion scholar at UVM, researching Islam in South Asia, imperialism, and religion’s social intersections.
Dr. Yasmin Flodin-Ali
An Islamic Studies scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, researching Islam, race, and reform movements
Who TRD is For?
- Curious about religion but skeptical of easy answers?
- Want to understand religion without being told what to believe?
- Feel caught between spirituality and scientific thinking?
- Care about intellectual humility and careful reasoning?
TRD is FOR YOU
Testimonials
Intro to Koine Greek
"This is exactly the class I’ve been looking for, for years. Better actually, with a skilled and accessible instructor, good pacing, easy to use medium and a reasonable price."
Josh G.
Magic in the Ancient World
"Dr. Andrew Henry is both a world-class scholar and an innovative communicator in the field of religious studies. If you love learning and want an intellectually rigorous yet accessible way to increase your religious literacy, you'll find no better place online than The Religion Department!"
Brandon F.
Guest Lecture Series
"These are always so thoughtful and informative. The professors do a great job making complex topics accessible for those of us without formal academic training."
Anonymous
American Paranormal
"Thorn Mooney is a welcoming instructor who encourages contemplative discussion. Her teaching style allows students to engage in the topic with enthusiasm. We leave with a clear understanding of the material, as well as plenty of ideas for future study."
Irene P.
Learning Coptic Through the Gospel of Thomas
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended this class; it was a phenomenal experience. This course has been one of the best language learning experiences I have ever had. I look forward to attending the next class and investing time into The Religion Department!"
Nicholas R.
Join a Community of Careful Thinkers
Membership is more than access
- When you enroll, you join a community built around curiosity, intellectual humility, and evidence-based thinking.
- A place for people who want to ask better questions about religion and get better answers.
- With TRD, you can develop a clearer, more intellectually grounded understanding of one of humanity’s most powerful forces–and you can share that with likeminded, smart people like you.
