RD covers topics of religious thought, past and present, that underwrite social structures (with a special focus on inequality and injustice).

[1][2] The founders were Gary Laderman, a religion studies scholar from Emory University; Linell Cady, a religion studies scholar from Arizona State University; and Evan Derkacz, a journalist who formerly wrote for AlterNet.

[3] Lisa Webster, an editor and religion scholar, joined Evan as co-editor just before the magazine's launch in February 2008.

[4][5][6][7] The website was also recognized as an official Nominee for Webby Awards in the Religion & Spirituality category for the 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 Webby Awards, and as an official Honoree for Best Editorial Writing in 2016 and 2017.

Before that it was located at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism's website from 2013 to 2018 during which time Diane Winston, chairman of Media and Religion at USC, headed the publication.