Download or read book Fantastic Spiritualities written by J'annine Jobling and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2010-07-01 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this work Jobling argues that religious sensibility in the Western world is in a process of transformation, but that we see here change, not decline, and that the production and consumption of the fantastic in popular culture offers an illuminating window onto spiritual trends and conditions. She examines four major examples of the fantastic genre: the Harry Potter series (Rowling), His Dark Materials (Pullman), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Whedon) and the Earthsea cycle (Le Guin), demonstrating that the spiritual universes of these four iconic examples of the fantastic are actually marked by profoundly modernistic assumptions, raising the question of just how contemporary spiritualities (often deemed postmodern) navigate philosophically the waters of truth, morality, authority, selfhood and the divine. Jobling tackles what she sees as a misplaced disregard for the significance of the fantasy genre as a worthy object for academic investigation by offering a full-length, thematic, comparative and cross-disciplinary study of the four case-studies proposed, chosen because of their significance to the field and because these books have all been posited as exemplars of a 'postmodern' religious sensibility. This work shows how attentiveness to spiritual themes in cultural icons can offer the student of theology and religions insight into the framing of the moral and religious imagination in the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries and how this can prompt traditional religions to reflect on whether their own narratives are culturally framed in a way resonating with the 'signs of the times'.
Download or read book Dispirited written by David Webster and published by John Hunt Publishing. This book was released on 2012-06-29 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dave Webster’s book is a counter-blast against the culturally accepted norm that spirituality is a vital and important factor in human life. Rejecting the idea of human wellbeing as predicated on the spiritual, the book seeks to identify the toxic impact of spiritual discourses on our lives. Spirituality makes us confused, apolitical and miserable - whether that spirituality is from conventional religious roots, from a new-age buffet of beliefs, or from some re-imagined ancient system of belief. Looking beyond this dismissal, the book looks towards atheistic existentialism, Theravada Buddhism and political engagement as a means to imagine what a post-spiritual world view could look like. ,
Download or read book Christmas as Religion written by Christopher Deacy and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2016-07-28 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Christmas as Religion, Christopher Deacy explores the premise that religion plays an elementary role in our understanding of the Christmas festival, but takes issue with much of the existing literature which is inclined to limit the contours and parameters of 'religion' to particular representations and manifestations of institutional forms of Christianity. 'Religion' is often tacitly identified as having an ecclesiastical frame of reference, so that if the Church is not deemed to play a central role in the practice of Christmas for many people today then it can legitimately be side-lined and relegated to the periphery of any discussion relating to what Christmas 'means'. Deacy argues that such approaches fail to take adequate stock of the manifold ways in which people's beliefs and values take shape in modern society. For example, Christmas films or radio programmes may comprise a non-specifically Christian, but nonetheless religiously rich, repository of beliefs, values, sentiments and aspirations. Therefore, this book makes the case for laying to rest the secularization thesis, with its simplistic assumption that religion in Western society is undergoing a period of escalating and irrevocable erosion, and to see instead that the secular may itself be a repository of the religious. Rather than see Christmas as comprising alternative or analogous forms of religious expression, or dependent on any causal relationship to the Christian tradition, Deacy maintains that it is religious per se, and, moreover, it is its very secularity that makes Christmas such a compelling, and even transcendent, religious holiday.
Download or read book Wonder written by Robert C. Fuller and published by Univ of North Carolina Press. This book was released on 2009-06-23 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The attempt to identify the emotional sources of religion goes back to antiquity. In an exploration that bridges science and spirituality, Robert C. Fuller makes the convincing case that a sense of wonder is a principal source of humanity's belief in the existence of an unseen order of life. Like no other emotion, Fuller argues, wonder prompts us to pause, admire, and open our hearts and minds. With a voice that seamlessly blends the scientific and the contemplative, Fuller defines wonder in keeping with the tradition of Socrates--as an emotion related to curiosity and awe that stimulates engagement with the immediate physical world. He draws on the natural and social sciences to explain how wonder can, at the same time, elicit belief in the existence of a more-than-physical reality. Chapters examining emotions in evolutionary biology and the importance of wonder in human cognitive development alternate with chapters on John Muir, William James, and Rachel Carson, whom Fuller identifies as "exemplars of wonder." The writings and lives of these individuals express a functional side of emotion: that the very survival of life on earth today may depend on the empathy, compassion, and care that are aroused by a sense of wonder. Forging new pathways between the social sciences, philosophy, belief, and cultural history, Wonder deepens our understanding of the complex sources of personal spirituality and fulfillment.
Download or read book The Whedonverse Catalog written by Don Macnaughtan and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2018-05-21 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Director, producer and screenwriter Joss Whedon is a creative force in film, television, comic books and a host of other media. This book provides an authoritative survey of all of Whedon's work, ranging from his earliest scriptwriting on Roseanne, through his many movie and TV undertakings--Toy Story, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly/Serenity, Dr. Horrible, The Cabin in the Woods, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.--to his forays into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The book covers both the original texts of the Whedonverse and the many secondary works focusing on Whedon's projects, including about 2000 books, essays, articles, documentaries and dissertations.
Download or read book The Buffyverse Catalog written by Don Macnaughtan and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2015-08-21 with total page 1044 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This bibliographic guide covers the “Buffyverse”—the fictional worlds of the acclaimed television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) and its spinoff Angel (1999–2004), as well as the original Buffy feature film of 1992. It is the largest and most inclusive work of its kind. The author organizes and describes both the original texts of the Buffyverse (episodes, DVDs, novels, comic books, games, and more) and the secondary materials created about the shows, including books, essays, articles, documentaries, dissertations, fan production and websites. This vast and diverse collection of information about these two seminal shows and their feature-film forebear provides an accessible, authoritative and comprehensive survey of the subject.
Download or read book Post Christian Feminisms written by Lisa Isherwood and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-04-08 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the impact and contribution of post-theories in the field of Christian feminist theology. Post-theory is an important and cutting-edge discursive field which has revolutionized the production of knowledge in both feminism and theology. This book fills a gap by providing a text that can make authoritative statements on the use and status of post-theory in feminist theology, and secondly it makes an on-going contribution to the discourse of Christian feminist theology and its liberation agenda. Distinguished and established scholars contribute conclusive essays on the most recent and exciting developments in post-theory, feminism and theology.
Download or read book Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy 2 volumes written by Robin Anne Reid and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2008-12-30 with total page 789 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Works of science fiction and fantasy increasingly explore gender issues, feature women as central characters, and are written by women writers. This book examines women's contributions to science fiction and fantasy across a range of media and genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, film, television, art, comics, graphic novels, and music. The first volume offers survey essays on major topics, such as sexual identities, fandom, women's writing groups, and feminist spirituality; the second provides alphabetically arranged entries on more specific subjects, such as Hindu mythology, Toni Morrison, magical realism, and Margaret Atwood. Entries are written by expert contributors and cite works for further reading, and the set closes with a selected, general bibliography. Students and general readers love science fiction and fantasy. And science fiction and fantasy works increasingly explore gender issues, feature women as central characters, and are written by women writers. Older works demonstrate attitudes toward women in times past, while more recent works grapple with contemporary social issues. This book helps students use science fiction and fantasy to understand the contributions of women writers, the representation of women in the media, and the experiences of women in society.
Download or read book SEWORD FRESSH 2019 written by Kundharu Saddhono and published by European Alliance for Innovation. This book was released on with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 1th Seminar and Workshop for Education, Social Science, Art and Humanities (SEWORD FRESSH#1)-2019 has been held on April 27, 2019 in Universitas Sebelas Maret in Surakarta, Indonesia. SEWORD FRESSH#1-2019 is a conference to promote scientific information interchange between researchers, students, and practitioners, who are working all around the world in the field of education, social science, arts, and humanities to a common forum.
Download or read book The Spirituality of Wine written by Gisela H. Kreglinger and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2016 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Wine serves an important role both in Scripture and in the Christian church, but its significance has received relatively little theological attention in modern times. This book fills that gap. Viewing wine as a gift of God's created bounty and as a special symbol used pervasively throughout Scripture, Kreglinger canvasses the history of wine in the church, particularly its use in the Lord's Supper, discusses the fascinating process of winemaking, and considers both the health benefits of wine and the dangers of alcohol abuse. Offering a vision of the Christian life that sees God in all things - including the work of a vintner and the enjoyment of a well crafted glass of wine.
Download or read book Evolving Life and Transition to the World Beyond written by Ronald Radhoff and published by BalboaPress. This book was released on 2011-05-13 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world is on the brink of major changes. The vibrations are increasing on the planet and act as a catalyst that is empowering the light and suppressing the dark energies. During this process, great opportunities to be a part of a magnificent spiritual evolution are opening for those who choose the way of the loving light of God. There is enormous confusion for many who have been subjected to false perceptions and are controlled through fear, the great tool of the dark side of governments and yes, even some religions. This book is a result of the authors 33 year search for greater truths, enhanced by communications from several spirit sources of the Deity, plus answers about other life in the Cosmos including mind expanding descriptions from highly evolved beings about life on other planetary systems. The author included several communications from friends and family when they described their transition experiences after crossing over to the World Beyond. These messages go beyond fundamental religious myths and describe various dimensions in the spiritual realm. This book is for you: if youve ever wondered what your purpose in life is. if you want to unleash greater powers of your mind. if youve wondered whether there is intelligent life out there. if youve wondered what the Afterlife is really like. if you have any fear of dying, death or crossing over. if you really want to evolve spiritually. Ron has given many lectures and presentations over several years to a variety of organizations. Expressing his creativity, Ron also paints in oil and is the cover artist. From a reader: Once I started reading your book, it was so interesting I couldnt put it down and read it straight through. I need eight more copies for family and friends. Beverly R, Novi, Michigan
Download or read book Imagining the Supernatural North written by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough and published by University of Alberta. This book was released on 2017-01-03 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Turning to face north, face the north, we enter our own unconscious. Always, in retrospect, the journey north has the quality of dream.” Margaret Atwood, “True North” In this interdisciplinary collection, sixteen scholars from twelve countries explore the notion of the North as a realm of the supernatural. This region has long been associated with sorcerous inhabitants, mythical tribes, metaphysical forces of good and evil, and a range of supernatural qualities. It was both the sacred abode of the gods and a feared source of menacing invaders and otherworldly beings. Whether from the perspective of traditional Jewish lore or of contemporary black metal music, few motifs in European cultural history show such longevity and broad appeal. Contributors: Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough, Angela Byrne, Danielle Marie Cudmore, Stefan Donecker, Brenda S. Gardenour Walter, Silvije Habulinec, Erica Hill, Jay Johnston, Maria Kasyanova, Jan Leichsenring, Shane McCorristine, Jennifer E. Michaels, Ya’acov Sarig, Rudolf Simek, Athanasios Votsis, Brian Walter
Download or read book The Vampire in Folklore History Literature Film and Television written by and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2015-09-18 with total page 389 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive bibliography covers writings about vampires and related creatures from the 19th century to the present. More than 6,000 entries document the vampire's penetration of Western culture, from scholarly discourse, to popular culture, politics and cook books. Sections by topic list works covering various aspects, including general sources, folklore and history, vampires in literature, music and art, metaphorical vampires and the contemporary vampire community. Vampires from film and television--from Bela Lugosi's Dracula to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood and the Twilight Saga--are well represented.
Download or read book Cauldron of Changes written by Janice C. Crosby and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2000-01-01 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the spiritual dimensions found in the literature of the fantastic (science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism) by linking such novels to actual currents within the feminist spirituality movement. Fusing popular culture studies, women's studies, and close textual analysis, the author moves beyond earlier studies that fail to address the genre's use of goddess worship, psychic phenomena, and reverence for the earth. She reveals how such attributes betoken a spiritual awakening with profound implications for contemporary feminism. Special emphasis is given to both the struggle to provide an alternative to men-centered experience and to the need to articulate ways in which feminists can achieve personal and social power. The authors studied represent a variety of American voices, and include both firmly established and newer writers such as Marion Zimmer Bradley, Kim Chernin, Alice Walker, Mercedes Lackey, Patricia Kennealy, Gael Baudino, Octavia Butler, Lynn Abbey, Joan Vinge, Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor, Ntozake Shange, and Starhawk.
Download or read book The Best Horror of the Year written by Ellen Datlow and published by Start Publishing LLC. This book was released on 2011-06-01 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A doctor makes a late-night emergency call to an exclusive California riding school; a professor inherits a mysterious vase... and a strange little man; a struggling youth discovers canine horrors lurking beneath the streets of Albany; a sheriff ruthlessly deals with monstrosities plaguing his rural town; a pair of animal researchers makes a frightening discovery at a remote site; a sweet little girl entertains herself... by torturing faeries; a group of horror aficionados attempts to track down an unfinished film by a reclusive cult director; a man spends a chill night standing watch over his uncle's body; a girl looks to understand her place in a world in which zombies have overrun the earth; a murderous pack of nuns stalks a pair of Halloween revelers... What frightens us, what unnerves us? What causes that delicious shiver of fear to travel the lengths of our spines? It seems the answer changes every year. Every year the bar is raised; the screw is tightened. Ellen Datlow knows what scares us; the seventeen stories included in this anthology were chosen from magazines, webzines, anthologies, literary journals, and single author collections to represent the best horror of the year. Legendary editor Ellen Datlow (Lovecraft Unbound, Tails of Wonder and Imagination), winner of multiple Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards, joins Night Shade Books in presenting The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Three.
Download or read book Spiritual Health written by Mahesh Bhatt and published by Notion Press. This book was released on 2018-01-25 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spirituality is a highly developed thought process of the human brain, which is there in the coding of our DNA. It happens because of millions and millions of years of natural evolutionary and developmental mechanism and put the human beings at the apex of the animal kingdom.Spiritual thought processes and Spiritual Health are considered essential dimensions of human health. How can we define spirituality and Spiritual Health in the context of scientific, religious and cultural grounds? How can the concept of Spiritual Health improve our spirituality in every area of our life including religion, science, and culture? How spirituality and religiosity have the ambiguities in their definitions and expressions and why it requires clarity and needs to be understood in the light of scientific reasoning? How spirituality and Spiritual Health can act as an excellent preventive and promotive tool in physical, mental and social health? A paradigm shift in our understanding the whole concept of spirituality and Spiritual Health.
Download or read book Deviance in Neo Victorian Culture written by Saverio Tomaiuolo and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-10-03 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book argues that ‘deviance’ represents a central issue in neo-Victorian culture, and that the very concept of neo-Victorianism is based upon the idea of ‘diverging’ from accepted notions regarding the nineteenth-century frame of mind. However, the study of the ways in which the Victorian age has been revised by contemporary authors does not only entail analogies with the present but proves – by introducing what is perhaps a more pertinent description of the nineteenth century – that it was much more ‘deviant’ than it is usually depicted and perceived. Deviance in Neo-Victorian Culture: Canon, Transgression, Innovation explores a wide variety of textual forms, from novels to TV series, from movies and graphic novels to visual art. The scholarly and educational purpose of this study is to stimulate readers to approach neo-Victorianism as a complex cultural phenomenon.
