Metaphysical Media and a Typology of Media Portraits of the Witch
As readers may recall, I have been interested in the intersection between various expressions of so-called alternative spiritualities, such as Western esotericism, Neo-Paganism, and Wicca, with popular culture and the media. Of particular interest is how film and television has depicted Paganism, and more specifically, the figure of the Witch. Helen Berger was very helpful […]
Horror Over Terror and Videogames as Fresh Source for Exploring our Nightmares
For a while I’ve thought that there is a difference between terror and horror. And I’m pleased to find that others agree with me. For example, in Bruce Lanier Wright’s book Nightwalkers: Gothic Horror Movies – The Modern Era (Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Company, 1995), he writes that in his view there are two kinds […]
Interview with Doug Cowan: The Unholy Human, Fanaticism, and Fear of the Flesh
Doug Cowan participated in one of this blog’s more popular interviews in the past that dealt with issues surrounding terror and religion that he deals with in his forthcoming book Sacred Terror: Religion and Horror on the Silver Screen. Although Doug has a very busy academic schedule, he has come back for a second time […]
Christianity and Horror Redux: From Knee-Jerk Revulsion to Critical Engagement
Some of the more interesting responses I get to the inclusion of my interests in horror, science fiction, and fantasy in my Blogger profile are disgust and concern from evangelical and fundamentalist Protestants. Some have labeled such interests “macabre,” and others have wondered how someone professing a commitment to Christian spirituality could enjoy such things. […]
The Body and Horror
With my graduate studies drawing to a close I have finally had some time to expand my reading list, and one of the areas I have been exploring is religion and film, primarily as it relates to horror, science fiction, and fantasy. As part of my reading I have a stack of articles from The […]
Paul Teusner, Horror Films and the Construction of Religious Identity
Paul Teusner is another Australian “mate” of mine. I first encountered his work through an intriguing paper he wrote on horror and religious identity. Paul has experience in research and writing for Christian ministry work among youth, and is working through post-graduate research on religion in cyberspace. Paul’s paper that I encountered is titled “Resident […]
Douglas Cowan and Sacred Terror: Part 2
Following is the second part of the interview with Douglas Cowan on the subject matter surrounding hisforthcoming book Sacred Terror. TF: In your book you discuss the “metataxis of horror.” Can you briefly define this and how you discuss it in your book? Doug Cowan: The “metataxis of horror” refers to the process by which […]
Douglas Cowan and Sacred Terror: Part 1
Douglas Cowan is a leading scholar working in the area of new religions. Formerly he taught at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and he now teaches at Renison College/University of Waterloo. He is the author of a number of books, including Cults and New Religions: A Brief History (Blackwell, 2007); Cyberhenge: Modern Pagans […]
Archetypes, Myths, and Horror
The description on this blog states that it includes an exploration of archetypes and myths as they relate to fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Before I get too far on posting on this blog it would be a good idea to explain what I mean by this. While I have reflected on various elements related […]
Kim Paffenroth Interview: Zombies, Religion and Popular Culture
Kim Paffenroth is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College, New York. He has written on the development of religious ideas in the major world religions, as well as on the Bible and theology, but another interest of his is of particular relevance to this blog, that is the intersection of religion and popular […]
