Theology, the Paranormal, and Popular Culture
Wrestling with Strange Angels
Theology, the Paranormal, and Popular Culture
Wrestling with Strange Angels
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Description
This book argues that paranormal subjects like extraterrestrials, monsters, and spirits should be understood as serious forms of religious expression.
Unfortunately, due to various forms of religious and cultural privilege, the paranormal is belittled, if not outright denied, in studies of faith and spirituality. Richard W. McCarty resists this turn, arguing that the paranormal is a form of religious belief. Moving beyond familiar, scholarly approaches, McCarty considers the paranormal through the lens of popular culture and folklore, delving into the representations of the monstrous across media. This book argues that encounters with UFOS, Mothman, or Bigfoot are proximate to, and should be taken as seriously as, run-ins with angels and demons within religious contexts.
Across nine chapters, McCarty traces the history of the paranormal and cryptozoology within American popular culture. McCarty's extended discussions on UFOS, monsters, and spirits offers a unique insight into why some forms of supernatural belief are prioritized over others. In essence, this book wields popular culture and folklore to prioritize the experiences of those with paranormal experiences, no matter how monstrous.
Accessibility Information
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- PDF/UA-2, 1.4
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The publication contains no hazards
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Has alternative text descriptions for images
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- Page list to go to pages from the print source version
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- All or substantially all textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order
Table of Contents
Part 1: Definitions, Theories, and Methods for Studying the Paranormal and Religion
1: Religion, the Paranormal, and Peculiar Judgements of Culture
2: The Paranormal is Religion-In Theory
3: The Paranormal, Religion, and Popular Culture
Part 2: Case Studies in the Paranormal, Popular Culture, and Religion
4: A Developing UFO Canon in Popular Culture
5: Catechisms of UFOs in Popular Culture and their Religious Implications
6: Monster Canons in Popular Culture
7: Popular Culture Catechisms on Monsters and Their Religious Implications
8: Popular Culture, the Paranormal, and Canonical Spirit Stories
9: Spirit Catechisms of Popular Culture and their Religious Implications
Conclusion: Wrestling with Strange Angels
Product details
| Published | Jan 21 2027 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (PDF) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9798216265139 |
| Imprint | T&T Clark |
| Series | Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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