Mythology and science both extend the scope of human beings. Like science and technology, mythology, as we shall see, is not about opting out of this world, but about enabling us to live more intensely within it.

She is in demand as a speaker on the Abrahamic tradition; in the last decade increasing interest in and debate surrounding Islamic issues has brought her even wider visibility. She first rose to prominence in 1993 with her book A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism Christianity and Islam. When Karen Armstrong spoke out of turn Karen Armstrong claims Karen Armstrong was forced to sew at a treadle machine with no needle for a fortnight.

Armstrong received the $100000 TED Prize in February 2008. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions such as the importance of compassion and the Golden Rule.