“Why Religion?” book discussion

In her new book, “Why Religion? A Personal Memoir,” scholar of religion Elaine Pagels tells how her six-year-old son died of a rare lung disease, and a year later her husband died in an accident. After that, it would have been understandable if she had rejected organized religion, but she didn’t. At the same time, she is critical of “the facile comfort that churches often dole out like Kleenex.” Her book is both a tour of contemporary scholarship on religion, and a deeply personal memoir.

If possible, please read the book before the discussion.