10 Religious Myths That Many Still Mistake for Truth

Most of us follow a religion, and we’re pretty confident we understand it inside out. We might even feel like we’ve got a decent handle on the world around us, even if some of that knowledge isn’t always useful. But here’s the kicker: when it comes to religions outside our own, we’re often walking encyclopedias of misunderstandings.

It’s fascinating, really. We think we know enough to get by, but the moment someone brings up a belief system we’re not familiar with, things get messy. Suddenly, we’re relying on half-remembered facts, stereotypes, or even outright myths. And let’s be honest, it’s not just religion—this happens with a lot of things we think we understand. But religion? That’s a whole other level of confusion.

Why does this happen? Maybe it’s because we’re so wrapped up in our own beliefs that we don’t take the time to really explore others. Or maybe it’s just easier to stick with what we know, even if it’s not entirely accurate. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: a world full of people who think they know more than they actually do.

10.Clergy Abuse Scandals: Are Catholic Priests More Likely to Offend?

The Catholic Church sex abuse scandal is one of those dark chapters that’s hard to forget. It didn’t just damage the church’s reputation—it shook the faith of countless people, and for good reason. What bothered many wasn’t just the horrifying number of children who were abused, but the way the church handled it. Even today, jokes about Catholic priests being pedophiles are everywhere, and there’s a widespread belief that priests are more likely to be predators than, say, your neighbor Doug, the friendly accountant.

But here’s the thing: while the abuse itself was horrific, the real issue was the cover-up. The way priests were moved around instead of being held accountable allowed the abuse to continue. It wasn’t just a failure to protect children—it was a systemic failure to confront the problem head-on. And let’s be clear: none of this excuses the abuse or the church’s responsibility to punish offenders more severely than just a slap on the wrist.

That said, the statistics tell a surprising story. Contrary to popular belief, Catholic priests aren’t more likely to be pedophiles than anyone else in positions of power over children. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given the scandal’s lasting impact, but the evidence doesn’t lie. The problem wasn’t that priests were uniquely prone to abuse—it was the culture of secrecy and protection that allowed it to persist.

This scandal is a reminder of how power, when misused or protected, can lead to unimaginable harm. It’s also a lesson in why transparency and accountability matter, especially in institutions we’re supposed to trust. And while the jokes and stereotypes might linger, the real story is far more complex—and far more unsettling.

9.Many Believe Hindus Worship Many Gods But It Is More Complicated

When you think of Hinduism, what comes to mind? For many, it’s the idea of a religion with countless gods—so many that it feels impossible to keep track of them all. This is a common impression, especially in English-speaking countries where Hinduism isn’t as widely practiced or understood. But here’s the twist: this view isn’t entirely accurate. Hinduism isn’t what most people assume it to be.

Let’s clear up a big misconception. Hinduism isn’t polytheistic, as many believe. Instead, it’s henotheistic. Now, that’s a word you don’t hear every day, and even spell checkers might question it! But it’s key to understanding how Hinduism works. Unlike monotheism, which centers on one God, or polytheism, which involves many gods, henotheism is a bit more nuanced. It’s the belief in one supreme divine being while still acknowledging the existence of other deities. Think of it as a spiritual hierarchy where the ultimate God is present in everything—even in the other gods Hindus worship.

This might sound complicated, and honestly, it is. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with countless traditions, practices, and interpretations. But at its core, it’s about unity and connection. Hindus believe there are many paths to reaching oneness with the divine, and those paths can include worshiping different gods or following various practices. It’s not about choosing one over the other but recognizing that they all lead to the same ultimate truth.

So, why does this matter? Well, it’s a fascinating example of how ancient religions can be deeply misunderstood, especially when viewed through a Western lens. Hinduism’s henotheistic nature challenges the binary thinking of “one god vs. many gods” and offers a more fluid, interconnected perspective on spirituality. It’s a reminder that sometimes, what we think we know about a culture or religion might only scratch the surface.

Next time you hear someone describe Hinduism as polytheistic, you’ll know there’s a lot more to the story. And who knows? Maybe this little nugget of insight will spark a deeper curiosity about the rich, diverse world of religious beliefs.

8.There Is Still A Lot Of Confusion About Papal Infallibility

It used to be that a lot of people believed that Catholics were a bunch of sillies, because they let their pope say anything he wanted whenever he wanted, and these statements were considered infallible. Making fun of papal infallibility was always one of the favorite attacks on Catholics by those not of their religion until the myth-busting days of the internet started to clear things up. However, that doesn’t mean the misconception has been entirely cleared up.

Most people are now aware that the Catholic pope is only considered infallible when making very special statements on matters of faith and morals. However, it’s still more complicated than that. These statements are rarely ever made and most popes go their entire careers without doing so. Furthermore, the process is more complex than the pope carefully considering an issue, praying to God, and then making a decision. Such things are actually presented before the entire body of cardinals in the Vatican and are thoroughly debated and voted on before anything is actually done.

7.Aztecs May Have Been Way More Cannibalistic Than You Imagined

The Aztecs are one of the most fascinating, and also the most horrifying of all of the ancient cultures. The facts that we can be sure of are that to worship their gods, especially Quetzalcoatl, the serpent god, they sacrificed countless human beings. They did so in a very public and purposefully bloody manner that even the most vicious cultures today could probably hardly even imagine. What many people have assumed, however, is that apart from a little ritual heart-eating, they didn’t eat the bodies.

Now, perhaps most kids were not taught about this in history class because it’s just a bit disturbing for children, but there’s more than enough evidence that the Aztecs were practicing quite a bit more ritual cannibalism than just eating the victims’ hearts. There is historical evidence that they were cooking body parts in pots and that noblemen probably got the spoils the most. The more interesting question here is why. Some historians believe that a big reason for them doing this was to commune with their gods and this is supported by the fact they did not just eat people during famine. On the other hand, some argue that even on non-famine days, they ate people for protein.

6.Puritans Were Not As Puritanical As You May Think

Puritans are now a group from history that’s so well known for being straight-laced and morally strict that the term “puritanical” was based on their behavior. The expression is generally used to define someone who is excessively prudish about sex, who thinks anything outside of pleasureless missionary for making a baby is a sin.

However, the funny thing is that Puritans were not nearly as puritanical as many people think they were. Firstly, they believed that sex between a husband and wife was more than just a means of procreation, but a way to develop a stronger bond of love between the couple. They believed that all things God created are good, so sex was good too, under the right circumstances. There is also reason to believe they had a decent bit of premarital sex and were freer with sex than people may have been led to believe from their public front. Historical records show as many as a third of Puritan women in Colonial New England were already pregnant when they got married.

5.Islamic Women Are Forced To Wear A Hijab By Their Cruel Husbands

Islam is one of the most widespread religions globally, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood—especially by those who don’t follow it. One of the biggest misconceptions revolves around the hijab, the headscarf many Muslim women wear. To outsiders, it’s often seen as a symbol of oppression, something forced upon women by men or religious authorities. This belief has even sparked controversies, with some countries attempting to ban hijabs, arguing they represent the subjugation of women. But is this really the case?

The truth is far more nuanced. While it’s true that in some Islamic-majority countries, women are required to cover their heads, this isn’t the norm everywhere. In fact, most Muslim-majority nations don’t enforce such laws. Surveys across these countries reveal something surprising: while many people believe women should wear hijabs, they also overwhelmingly agree that it should be a personal choice. The idea that men are forcing women to wear hijabs doesn’t hold up when you look at the evidence. In fact, when bans on hijabs are proposed, it’s often Muslim women themselves who protest, arguing that their right to practice their faith is being stripped away.

This highlights a key point: the hijab isn’t just a piece of cloth; it’s deeply tied to identity, faith, and personal expression for many women. For some, it’s a way to connect with their religion and culture. For others, it’s a statement of empowerment. To reduce it to a symbol of oppression ignores the voices of the women who choose to wear it—and who fight to keep that choice alive.

4.Only Catholic Texts Blame The Jews For The Death Of Jesus

One of the most enduring myths about Judaism is that the Jewish people today are somehow responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. This form of Christian anti-semitism has been going on since the days of early Christianity, and it has caused a lot of strife between those of the Jewish faith and Christianity ever since. It is an accusation that probably every Jewish person has heard at least once in their life, from some ignorant bully of the Christian faith.

However, the interesting thing is that it’s not only Catholic sources that suggest the Jewish authorities were responsible for the death of Jesus. While only one version of the Catholic testament has the Sanhedrin saying “Let his blood be on us and on our children” (the most controversial part), the Talmud does give a Jewish council responsibility for his death. Some Jewish sources suggest that a Jewish council put him to death without the help of the Romans at all, and did so based on him being seditious and practicing sorcery. However, the Catholic Church, to begin healing old wounds, has declared that no Jewish people today, or any at the time apart from those directly involved, can be held responsible.

3.Wicca Is Not As Ancient As Many Believe

Many people today, once they’re sure you will not freak out at them over it, will explain that they follow the ancient religion of Wica. They will tell you that this religion is a revival of an old pagan faith and that it goes back to the ancient days of humanity, before Christianity. This likely makes them feel like it is a more legitimate religion, as things that have withstood the test of time tend to get more respect in general, but this is a misconception of ancient pagan religions and Wicca.

We’re not here to tell you that your religion is wrong, or right. Nor are we here to suggest that just because a religion is newer it deserves less respect than other religions. Every religion had to start somewhere, and most can trace their start back to a specific era. However, facts are facts, and Wicca is not ancient at all. While it has been pulled together from many ancient pagan traditions, it is not itself a revival of any specific tradition, but an amalgam. It was developed over a couple of decades by Gerald Gardner during the first part of the 20th century and its creation can very clearly be traced as taken from many different sources, and not from one revived religion.

2.You Can Be A Scientologist Without Being Part of The Church

Scientology is known for being one of the most controversial religions in the entire world, and likely won’t move from that status anytime soon. In some countries, like France, it has even been labeled as a cult, and convicted of fraud. Among their most controversial practices was something called Fair Game, where a suppressive person who tried to stop someone from being a Scientologist, could be dealt with in any way necessary. This practice has been officially disavowed, although some who have left the church claim that it is still done, and the disavowal is only for legal reasons.

However, if you are interested in the religion of Scientology, but you are wary of the church, there is still an avenue for you. Like all religions, there are seditious offshoots, and Scientology has been around long enough that it is no exception. There is a group who still consider themselves Scientologists, but have left the official church, and work to make sure those who want access to the religion’s tools have them without the requirements of the official church.

1.The Kentucky Snake Church Is Not About Snake Worship Or Even Snake Taming

Deep within the Appalachian hills of Kentucky lies a church that has become legendary—not merely due to its impassioned sermons, but for an extraordinary practice: its members handle live, venomous snakes during worship services. While this ritual may seem audacious, the rationale behind it is even more intriguing than one might anticipate.

At first glance, one might assume these individuals revere snakes or seek to demonstrate dominion over them as a testament to their power. However, this is not the case. Instead, they aim to affirm their faith in the most extreme manner conceivable. According to their interpretation of biblical scripture, snakes symbolize evil. By managing these lethal creatures and inviting them to strike, they believe they are showcasing divine favor. A “dry bite” (one devoid of venom) is interpreted as a sign of divine approval. Conversely, if bitten, complications arise in interpreting the event.

The founding pastor of this church perished from a snakebite during a service. One might expect such an incident to prompt reconsideration of the practice; however, his family rationalized the tragedy, attributing it to the inevitability of his time rather than any indication of sinfulness. This reasoning provides a theological justification yet does not diminish the inherent risks. Even the pastor’s son, who narrowly survived a snakebite, remains committed to the tradition despite being profoundly affected by the experience.

What motivates individuals to undertake such perilous actions? For them, it transcends mere faith—it represents proving devotion in the most literal and life-threatening manner imaginable. It serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which some will go to connect with something greater than themselves. Although it may be tempting to dismiss this practice as reckless or irrational, it offers a compelling insight into the extremes of human belief.

Thus, upon encountering references to this snake-handling church, it is essential to recognize that its practices are not about serpent worship or bravado. Rather, they embody faith, danger, and the profound measures people take to demonstrate alignment with the divine. Regardless of whether one finds inspiration, trepidation, or incredulity in this tradition, it undeniably stands as one of the most remarkable expressions of belief.