Modernity and Religions Frameworks
Jedi Online and Buddhist Firefly: Poaching from Fandom and Tradition in a Online World
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jean-Paul Lafayette DuQuette
New religious movements (NRMs) drawing inspiration from science-fiction and fantasy literature, films and television programs have become part of the landscape of religious experience since the late 20th Century. What do some adherents of such NRMs choose to borrow from established traditions, and what do they take from popular fandom? What appeal can fandom have in the construction of personal religious systems? This case study examines two individuals exploring their own spirituality through fandom-inspired practices both offline and in the online online world of Second Life: a Jedi, based on characters created by George Lucas for his Star Wars films, and a Companion, from Joss Whedon's Firefly television series. Through interviews, social media posts and two years of participant observation, this study explores the participants' attraction to sci-fi based philosophy and religion and also examines what they have borrowed from Buddhism in their hybrid spiritual practices. By identifying the overlap between religious tradition, new age philosophical individualism, and the worlds of popular fantasy media, this study illuminates the impulse to transform fandom into a spiritual practice. It also shows how the affordances of an avatar-based online chat environment can enable fandom-based spirituality.
The Sign of the Cross as Comfort among American Christians
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Regina Pefanis Schlee
This study focuses on the use of the Christian symbol of the cross for emotional support and comfort in contemporary American students. Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some Protestant denominations use the symbol of the cross, crossing one’s self, as a way of asking for a blessing. The act of crossing oneself is frequently used by traditional Greek Orthodox believers whenever they see a church, a religious icon, or when they pray. Roman Catholic believers also cross themselves as part of prayer rituals. While numerous studies have focused on the effect of prayer and religiosity on health and wellbeing, there is very little research on the amount of comfort experienced by those who cross themselves, as well as the use of other religious symbols for emotional support. The use of religious symbols will be examined using a sample of undergraduate students at a private religiously affiliated university in the United States. Most students attending the university are Protestant Christians, but a significant percentage (about 40%) come from a variety of religious traditions; mostly Roman Catholic, some Greek Orthodox, and a number of other religious traditions. A questionnaire will be used to focus on students’ own religious practices and possible use of the Cross or other religious symbols for personal comfort.
Reverse Engineering Traditional Catholicism in the Internet Age: Rad Trads
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Brian Panasiak
Ever since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council there has been within the Catholic Church a small yet ardent sub-culture of followers of the traditions that were abandoned by the Church at large. Focusing primarily around the Latin language celebration of the Catholic Mass, these “traditionalists” form a community of like minded individuals who wish to practice their faith in a way that is, at best, no longer the way commonly used by the Catholic Church at large. This community faces two problems, a small number of followers as well as a hierarchy that is somewhat in opposition to the yearnings of this flock of old school believers. As such, community organization and the preservation or learning of certain religious devotions can be difficult at times. To counter this, these traditional Catholics take to the internet in order to communicate, organize, as well as share, preserve, and educate one another on traditions long believed to be dead by the world at large. This paper presents an overview of the online activities of these “rad trads” and provides an examination of the digital frameworks, websites, and social networks used to both foster the faith and continue the traditions of the Catholic Church as they were before the Second Vatican Council. Specific attention is given to the way in which modern meme culture, social media, and databases are used by traditional Catholics in the practice of their ancient faith.
