The rise and fall of civilizations over the history of humankind is a difficult thing to accurately depict in graphic form, but this BBC online presentation is a wholly engrossing way to look at the transformation and dissemination of religions and ideologies. Guided by the presence of a virtual ant that weaves its way across the introductory screen, the screen displays a metaphorical phrase from...

Religion and ethics are some of the most debated areas of the human experience around the world, so it is fitting that the BBC has created this online clearinghouse of relevant information and news coverage about these two complex topics. The site contains a number of general interest sections that provide rich discussion of various world religions and a number of subjects in the field of ethics,...

Among the many fine names associated with public television, Bill Moyers is one that frequently comes up in conversation. Moyers recently decided to return to public television after a brief hiatus, and if this website is any indication, he appears to be back to stay for some time. The goal of this new show is to "feature analysis of vital issues, strong interviews with unique voices on politics,...

Commentary on religion can be a touchy subject, and it's nice to find a place online where the commentary is both thoughtful and well-informed. The "Comment is Free" site created by the Guardian newspaper blends informed remarks on religion with the thoughts and viewpoints of visitors to the site. Front and center, visitors will come across "The Question". This area contains a weekly question that...

Despite certain claims to the contrary, a recent survey from UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute indicates that college students in the early 21st century maintain a strong interest in spirituality and self-discovery. Released this Wednesday, the study noted that, of more than 100,000 freshmen who started college in 2004, four in five reported an interest in spirituality. Additionally, the...

Affiliated with Hartford Seminary, this Website promises to become a significant resource for scholars in the field of sociological research on religion. The site currently features articles, studies, descriptions of methodology, and other scholarly materials for the topics of women and religion, church growth/ decline, religion and the family, religion and the Web, congregational studies,...

Beginning this Tuesday, Muslims throughout the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan. For Muslims, Ramadan is an important holy month, marked by fasting and other important practices and commemorations. Because the start of Islamic holidays depends on when the new moon is sighted, there is sometimes some debate about when exactly Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr begin. In...

Produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly has been a PBS fixture since September 1997. The program takes on the important subjects of religion and ethics in a manner that is rather engaging, and the same can be said of their very fine website. Users can listen to the entire weekly show in its entirety, or download it and take it with them on their personal audio device....

With a membership of over 240 full and part time religion reporters across the United States, the Religion Newswriters Association is an organization dedicated to providing support for journalists writing about various important stories dealing with any host of topics surrounding religion. The homepage itself contains a religion news headline update service, and a special features area that...

Founded in 1949, the Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) works "to advance the professional standards of religion reporting in the secular press as well as to create a support network for religion reporters." Their site is a great place for current members of the RNA, but in many ways it's just as good for those who wish to cut their teeth in this important area of journalism. To start,...