Tool • credibility checks
Source Evaluator
Use these quick questions before you trust a website, video, or book about religion.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Who is the author and what is their expertise? | Credentials and lived experience change reliability. |
| Is it primary (inside the tradition) or secondary (about it)? | Both matter, but you need to know which you’re reading. |
| Does it cite sources or quote texts with context? | Cherry‑picking is common in controversial topics. |
| Is it trying to inform, persuade, or attack? | Intent affects framing and selection of facts. |
| Is it current and updated? | Some information changes (demographics, organizations, scholarship). |
| Can you find agreement across multiple reputable sources? | Triangulation reduces single-source bias. |
Shortcut: If a source speaks in absolutes (“all adherents believe…”) without evidence, treat it cautiously.