Encyclopaedia Britannica

4 days ago | britannica.com

Studs Terkel was an American author and oral historian who chronicled the lives of Americans from the Great Depression to the early 21st century. After spending his early childhood in New York City, Terkel moved with his family to Chicago at age nine. His parents ran the Wells-Grand Hotel, a

3 weeks ago | britannica.com | Bernard McGinn |Geoffrey Wainwright

Christianity - Apologetics, Theology, Doctrine: Establishment of norms for the church was necessary because diverse interpretations of the Christian message were conceived under the influence of the religions of late antiquity, especially gnosticism—a syncretistic religious dualistic belief system that incorporated Christian motifs. In gnostic interpretations, mixed Christian and pagan ideas appealed to divine inspiration or claimed to be revelations of Christ. The church erected three defenses against the prophetic and visionary efficacy of pneumatic (spiritual) figures as well as against pagan syncretism: (1) the New Testament canon, (2) the apostolic “rules of faith,” or “creeds,” and (3) the apostolic succession of bishops. The common basis

3 weeks ago | britannica.com | William Hogg |John Hick

Christianity - Roman Govt, Hellenistic Culture: The Christians were not respectful toward ancestral pagan customs, and their preaching of a new king sounded like revolution. The opposition of the Jews to them led to breaches of the peace. Thus, the Christians could very well be unpopular, and they often were. Paul’s success at Ephesus provoked a riot to defend the cult of the goddess Artemis. In 64 ce a fire destroyed much of Rome, and, in order to escape blame, the emperor Nero killed a “vast multitude” of Christians as scapegoats. For the first time, Rome was conscious that Christians were distinct from Jews. But there

3 weeks ago | britannica.com | William Griffith |Oscar H. Horst

Guatemala - Culture, Traditions, Cuisine: Guatemalans are increasingly exposed to the intrusion of foreign influences upon their way of life. All aspects of communication—periodical news, the comics, soap operas, film—are primarily of foreign origin. A multitude of products, from soaps and boxed cereals and bottled drinks to automobiles, bear foreign brand names. Nevertheless, in local Mayan villages, colourful native attire is still common and varies according to the village and language group. Heavily attended fairs and religious festivals are scheduled in every part of Guatemala throughout the year. Semana Santa (Holy Week), at Easter, is marked by festivals throughout the country, but many Guatemalans travel

3 weeks ago | britannica.com | Stephen Gottschalk |J. Gordon Melton

Christian Science, religious denomination founded in the United States in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, author of the book that contains the definitive statement of its teaching, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875). It is widely known for its highly controversial practice of spiritual healing.