Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1738534

Author Elaine Pagels Discusses 'Why Religion?' Via Zoom December 5

icon 1 Photo
Elaine Pagels

Elaine Pagels

authorStaff Writer on Nov 23, 2020

On Saturday, December 5, at 4 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton will host an event with Elaine Pagels, the author of numerous best-selling books about religion, such as “The Gnostic Gospels,” “Adam, Eve and the Serpent: Sex and Politics in Early Christianity,” “The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Heretics, and Pagans” and “Beyond Belief.”

Pagels’s most recent book, “Why Religion? A Personal Memoir,” is a departure from the others and one in which she tells her own story, and why she loves investigating the history of religion.

Pagels will be interviewed by writer Jeffrey Sussman, and the program can be joined via Zoom. To register for the discussion, visit stlukeseasthampton.org.

Pagels is a critically acclaimed historian of religion, the Harrington Spear Paine professor at Princeton University and an Aspen Institute trustee. She joined the Princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a MacArthur Fellowship. She is a recipient of the Howard T. Behrman Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities for “her ability to show readers that the ancient texts she studies are concerned with the great questions of human existence though they may discuss them in mythological or theological language very different from our own.” In 2013, she received an honorary law degree from her alma mater, Harvard University, and in 2016, the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama.

You May Also Like:

The Suffolk 54 New Year’s Eve Party Returns to Ring In 2026

The East End’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration returns as Suffolk Theater presents The Suffolk ... 12 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

Take a Sound Bath to Welcome the New Year

Attendees are invited to set an intention, spark creativity and welcome the new year with ... by Staff Writer

An Immersive Exhibition at The Church Celebrates the Work of Martha Graham

The Church will open its 2026 season with “Martha Graham: Collaborations,” a sweeping exhibition curated ... by Staff Writer

Gathering Fire: A Night at the Farmer & Hunters Feast

On November 16th, I had the privilege of cooking alongside Chef Andrew Mahoney and Alex ... by Robyn Henderson-Diederiks

Parrish Art Museum Unveils 2026 Exhibition Schedule Marking America’s 250th Year

To mark the United States’ semi-quincentennial in 2026, the Parrish Art Museum will present “PARRISH USA250: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” a yearlong series of exhibitions and programs examining the founding ideals of the nation through the East End’s enduring role in American art and culture. The series reflects on the nation’s founding values, considers the present moment and imagines new paths forward while highlighting the significant contributions of Long Island artists to American creativity and identity. “In 2026, the Parrish Art Museum has both the privilege and the responsibility to illuminate the ideals that shaped this nation ... by Staff Writer

Fashion Comes Alive: Southampton Arts Center Hosts Toast to 'Second Skin' Artists

Southampton Arts Center will host a special “Toast to the Artists of ‘Second Skin,’” curated ... by Staff Writer

Dance Out East Returns With New Works at The Church, Guild Hall and The Watermill Center

The second annual Dance Out East festival will return January 10 and 11, 2026, presenting ... by Staff Writer

‘Whatever Lola Wants’ Christmas Eve Celebration at Masonic Temple

East End-based trio “Whatever Lola Wants” will perform a Christmas Eve celebration at the Masonic Temple on Wednesday, December 24, at 8 p.m. The group performs a multi-genre repertoire with a strong foundation in jazz, covering tunes from Ella Fitzgerald to Cyndi Lauper. “Whatever Lola Wants” presents timeless songs that reflect themes of love and humanity. The trio consists of Lola Lama on vocals, Matthew Brand on keyboard and Dylan Hewett on bass. The musicians are active in multiple local projects: Lama also performs with The Cherry Bombs, Brand is a published singer-songwriter who has performed at Carnegie Hall and ... by Staff Writer

Arts Center at Duck Creek Winter Mini Music Series at Sagaponack Farm Distillery

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present an off-site winter mini music series at ... by Staff Writer

Billy Joel Hits Come to The Suffolk for the Holidays

The Lords of 52nd Street will perform Billy Joel’s greatest hits at The Suffolk on ... by Staff Writer