Download or read book Handbook of Conspiracy Theory and Contemporary Religion written by Asbjørn Dyrendal and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 570 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conspiracy theories are a ubiquitous feature of our times. The Handbook of Conspiracy Theories and Contemporary Religion is the first reference work to offer a comprehensive, transnational overview of this phenomenon along with in-depth discussions of how conspiracy theories relate to religion(s). Bringing together experts from a wide range of disciplines, from psychology and philosophy to political science and the history of religions, the book sets the standard for the interdisciplinary study of religion and conspiracy theories.

Download or read book Handbook of Conspiracy Theory and Contemporary Religion written by Asbjørn Dyrendal and published by Brill Handbooks on Contemporar. This book was released on 2018 with total page 556 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introducing the field: conspiracy theory in, about, and as religion / David G. Robertson, Egil Asprem and Asbjorn Dyrendal -- Conspiracy theories and the study of religions: what we are talking about, and why it is important / Asbjorn Dyrendal, Egil Asprem and David G. Robertson -- Rational enchantments: conspiracy theory between secular scepticism and spiritual salvation / Stef Aupers and Jaron Harambam -- Is a belief in providence the same as a belief in conspiracy? / Brian L. Keeley -- Are conspiracy theories a surrogate for God? / Michael Wood and Karen Douglas -- A web of conspiracy: Internet and conspiracy theory / Joseph E. Uscinski, Darin DeWitt and Matthew D. Atkinson -- The Satanism scare in apartheid South Africa / Nicky Falkof -- "Trust me, you can't trust them": stigmatised knowledge in cults and conspiracies / Amanda van Eck Duymaer van Twist and Suzanne Newcombe -- Popular music, conspiracy culture, and the sacred / Christopher Partridge -- Close companions: esotericism and conspiracy theories / Egil Asprem and Asbjorn Dyrendal -- The counter-elite: strategies of authority in millennial conspiracism / David G. Robertson -- Buddhism endangered by hidden enemies: conspiracy narratives in Sri Lankan Buddhist present and past / Sven Bretfeld -- Buddhist Islamophobia: actors, tropes, contexts / Iselin Frydenlund -- Islamism and the instrumentalisation of conspiracism / Willow J. Berridge -- Anti-Jewish and Anti-Zionist conspiracism in the Arab world: historical and political roots / Barbara De Poli -- A fantastic people and its enemies: an analysis of an emerging Albanian mythology / Cecilie endresen -- Was Aristotle an anti-Semitic alien? conspiracy theory, ufology, and the colonisation of the past in contemporary Greece / Tao T. Makeeff -- The role of conspiracy theory in the Aum Shinrikyo incident / Tsuji Ryutaro -- Framing of a conspiracy theory: the Efendi series / Turkay Nefes -- The third Rome against the third temple: apocalypticism and conspiracism in post-Soviet Russia / Michael Hagemeister -- Alexander Dugin: between eschatology, esotericism, and conspiracy theory / Victor Shnirelman -- Conspiracy theories and neo-Nazism in the cultic milieu / Paul Jackson -- Evil cult or persecuted minority: conspiracy theories surrounding Falun Gong and the government of the People's Republic of China / Helen Farley -- The messiah is a salesman, yet consumerism is a con(spiracy): the Church of the Subgenius, work, and the pursuit of slack as a spiritual ideal / Carole M. Cusack -- Afterword: further reflections, future directions / Egil Asprem, David G. Robertson and Asbjorn Dyrendal

Download or read book Religion and Conspiracy Theories written by David G. Robertson and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2024-08-01 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Religion and Conspiracy Theories: An Introduction is the first accessible volume to systematically examine the relationship between religion and conspiracy theories in the contemporary world in critical and historical perspective. It lays out the historical development of these important categories, considers different theoretical approaches and looks at case studies of conspiracy theories in religion, about religion and as religion. It maintains a critical perspective throughout on the relationship between truth and power, and in the process provides a fresh perspective on belief and worldviews in our modern world. Designed for use in the classroom, the book features helpful diagrams and resources for teachers. It is an essential read for all students of religion and conspiracy theories, as well as scholars of politics, religious studies, sociology, anthropology and cultural studies.

Download or read book The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories written by Jan-Willem Prooijen and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-04-09 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who believes in conspiracy theories, and why are some people more susceptible to them than others? What are the consequences of such beliefs? Has a conspiracy theory ever turned out to be true? The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories debunks the myth that conspiracy theories are a modern phenomenon, exploring their broad social contexts, from politics to the workplace. The book explains why some people are more susceptible to these beliefs than others and how they are produced by recognizable and predictable psychological processes. Featuring examples such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and climate change, The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories shows us that while such beliefs are not always irrational and are not a pathological trait, they can be harmful to individuals and society.

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements written by James R. Lewis and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2016-04-12 with total page 545 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The study of New Religious Movements (NRMs) is one of the fastest-growing areas of religious studies, and since the release of the first edition of The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements in 2003, the field has continued to expand and break new ground. In this all-new volume, James R. Lewis and Inga B. T?llefsen bring together established and rising scholars to address an expanded range of topics, covering traditional religious studies topics such as "scripture," "charisma," and "ritual," while also applying new theoretical approaches to NRM topics. Other chapters cover understudied topics in the field, such as the developmental patterns of NRMs and subcultural considerations in the study of NRMs. The first part of this book examines NRMs from a social-scientific perspective, particularly that of sociology. In the second section, the primary factors that have put the study of NRMs on the map, controversy and conflict, are considered. The third section investigates common themes within the field of NRMs, while the fourth examines the approaches that religious studies researchers have taken to NRMs. As NRM Studies has grown, subfields such as Esotericism, New Age Studies, and neo-Pagan Studies have grown as distinct and individual areas of study, and the final section of the book investigates these emergent fields.

Download or read book Religious Dimensions of Conspiracy Theories written by Francesco Piraino and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2022-11-30 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Religious Dimensions of Conspiracy Theories contributes to the study of conspiracy culture by analysing the religious and esoteric dimensions of conspiracy theories. The book examines both historical and contemporary examples to explore transnational and transhistorical continuities between religious doctrines, eschatologies, and conspiracy theories. It draws on a broad range of disciplinary insights from historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and religious studies scholars. The book has a global focus and features case studies from North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This book will be of great interest to researchers of conspiracy theories, esotericism, extremism, and religion

Download or read book A Culture of Conspiracy written by Michael Barkun and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2003 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unravelling the genealogies and permutations of conspiracist worldviews, this work shows how this web of urban legends has spread among sub-cultures on the Internet and through mass media, and how this phenomenon relates to larger changes in American culture.

Download or read book Creating Conspiracy Beliefs written by Dolores Albarracin and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2021-11-25 with total page 327 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conspiracy theories spread more widely and faster than ever before. Fear and uncertainty prompt people to believe false narratives of danger and hidden plots, but are not sufficient without considering the role and ideological bias of the media. This timely book focuses on making sense of how and why some people respond to their fear of a threat by creating or believing conspiracy stories. It integrates insights from psychology, political science, communication, and information sciences to provide a complete overview and theory of how conspiracy beliefs manifest. Through this multi-disciplinary perspective, rigoros research develops and tests a practical, simple way to frame and understand conspiracy theories. The book supplies unprecedented amounts of new data from six empirical studies and unpicks the complexity of the process that leads to the empowerment of conspiracy beliefs.

Download or read book Who to Trust written by Iscast and published by Iscast. This book was released on 2022-09-06 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conspiracy theories are causing problems in the Christian community. Friendships are broken, families are torn apart, and people are hurt. Knowing who to trust is more challenging than ever, and the search for truth is becoming increasingly confusing.Why does this happen, and how can we address the concerns of those involved?Who to Trust? takes an in-depth look at the research surrounding this phenomenon, identifies the underlying problems, and offers practical and biblical guidance to Christians, Christian leaders, and Christian knowledge professionals to lovingly respond to the disruption we see occurring.This discussion paper doesn't assume conspiracy theorists are fearful, delusional, or crazy. By helping the reader see that conspiracy theories appeal to the Christian values of justice, truth, and faithfulness, the authors propose mistrust as the most helpful framework for understanding Christian belief in conspiracy theories.In five rigorous chapters, Who to Trust? thoughtfully comprises the most helpful material and insights for those grappling with this complex and pervasive issue.You can access the full paper for free from https://iscast.org/conspiracy, which includes a one-page summary and a set of questions for application.Overview:1. Theory. How does recent research help us to understand conspiracy theories? 2. Politics. How does recent research on populism and polarisation help us to understand political conspiracy theories? 3. Vaccines. How should Christians respond to anti-vaccination conspiracy theories?4. Ethics. How should Christians behave when discussing conspiracy theories, whether for or against? 5. People. How should Christians respond to conspiracy theories in our professional and personal relationships?

Download or read book The Philosophy of Conspiracy Theories written by M R. X. Dentith and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2024-02-15 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents state of the art philosophical work on conspiracy theory research that brings in sharp focus on central and important insights concerning the supposed irrationality of conspiracy theory and conspiracy theory belief, while also proposing several novel solutions to long standing issues in the broader academic debate on these things called ‘conspiracy theories’. It features a critical history of conspiracy theory theory, emphasising the role of the ‘first generation’ of philosophers in conspiracy theory research. This book also includes discussions of a range of key issues such as: What counts as conspiracy theory? Who counts as a conspiracy theorist? How are these terms variously understood by academics and the wider public, and Are conspiracy theories automatically suspect, and is it ever reasonable to be a conspiracy theorist? The book then builds upon that work by looking at how people’s political views affect both the conspiracy theories they believe and their beliefs about conspiracy theories; how we might defend conspiracy theorising without endorsing mad, bad or dangerous conspiracy theories; and contains several proposals for unifying conspiracy theory research under one theoretical framework: particularism. This volume will be a key resource for philosophers and social scientists interested in recent work on the philosophy of conspiracy theory theory and its implications for conspiracy theory research. It will also appeal to members of the public, who want to know what, if anything, is wrong with these things called “conspiracy theories”. It was originally published as a special issue of Social Epistemology.

Download or read book QAnon Chaos and the Cross written by Michael W. Austin and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2023-05-23 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “What is truth?” said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. —Francis Bacon Although Christians are followers of the Truth, many find themselves tempted by the alternate “truths” offered by conspiracy theories. Christianity and conspiracy theories have had a long, complicated relationship. But today conspiracy theories are bringing our already polarized society to the brink of chaos. QAnon, the Big Lie, and anti-vaccination theories thrive online, disrupting faith communities. This timely essay collection explores the allure of conspiracy theories and their consequences—and ultimately offers gospel-based paths forward. Accessible to all concerned believers, QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross features scholars of religion, ethics, and public life on the following topics: • evaluating evidence and forming beliefs • the Satanic Panic of the 1960s–1990s • understanding scientific methodology • conspiracy theories’ appeal to those searching for meaning • the consequences of social media and echo chambers • productive dialog with people who hold different opinions • intellectualism in the life of faith • conspiracy theories in Scripture • QAnon’s religious rhetoric Complete with a guide to reasoning, which outlines both logical fallacies and intellectual virtues, QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross is an indispensable resource for all Christians seeking the truth. Contributors: Chase Andre, Michael W. Austin, Bradley Baurain, Daniel Bennett, Gregory L. Bock, Chad Bogosian, Kevin Carnahan, Jason Cook, Scott Culpepper, Stephen Davis, Garrett J. DeWeese, Marlena Graves, Shawn Graves, David Horner, Dru Johnson, Nathan King, Rick Langer, Christian Miller, Timothy Muehlhoff, Michelle Lynn Panchuk, Susan Peppers-Bates, Steven Porter, Kaitlyn Schiess, Aaron Simmons, Domonique Turnipseed, Rachel I. Wightman, Keith Wyma, Eric Yang

Download or read book Conspiracy Theories in the United States and the Middle East written by Michael Butter and published by Walter de Gruyter. This book was released on 2014-02-27 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conspiracy Theories in the United States and the Middle East is the first book to approach conspiracy theorizing from a decidedly comparative and interdisciplinary perspective. Whereas previous studies have engaged with conspiracy theories within national frameworks only, this collection of essays draws attention to the fact that conspiracist visions are transnational narratives that travel between and connect different cultures. It focuses on the United States and the Middle East because these two regions of the world are entangled in manifold ways and conspiracy theories are currently extremely prominent in both. The contributors to the volume are scholars of Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Cultural Studies, and American Studies, who approach the subject from a variety of different theories and methodologies. However, all of them share the fundamental assumption that conspiracy theories must not be dismissed out of hand or ridiculed. Usually wrong and frequently dangerous, they are nevertheless articulations of and distorted responses to needs and anxieties that must be taken seriously. Focusing on individual case studies and displaying a high sensitivity for local conditions and the cultural environment, the essays offer a nuanced image of the workings of conspiracy theories in the United States and the Middle East.

Download or read book The Psychology of Conspiracy written by Michal Bilewicz and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-05-15 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why did the third World Trade Center building (WTC7) collapse on September 11th , even though it was not struck by any aircraft? Why did Princess Diana’s "drunk" driver look sober as he climbed into the car minutes before their deadly accident? Could a slender birch tree really have caused the plane crash which killed the President of Poland in 2010? ‘Conspiracy thinking’ – the search for explanations of significant global events in clandestine plots, suppressed knowledge and the secret actions of elite groups – provides simple and logical answers to the social doubts and uncertainties that occur at times of major national and international crises. Contemporary social psychology seeks to explain the human motivation to create, share and receive conspiracy theories, and to shed light on the consequences of these theories for people’s social and political functioning. This important collection, written by leading researchers in the field, is the first to apply quantitative empirical findings to the subject of conspiracy theorizing. The first section of the book explores conspiracy theories in the context of group perception and intergroup relations, paying particular attention to anti-Semitic conspiracy stereotypes. It then goes on to examine the relationship between an individual’s political ideology and the degree to which they engage in ‘conspiracy thinking’. The concluding part of the book considers the explanatory power of conspiracy, focusing on the link between social paranoia and digital media, and highlighting the social, political, and environmental consequences of conspiracy theories. The Psychology of Conspiracy will be of great interest to academics and researchers in social and political psychology, and a valuable resource to those in the fields of social policy, anthropology, political science, and cultural studies.

Download or read book Dark Religion written by Vladislav Šolc and published by Chiron Publications. This book was released on 2018-12-01 with total page 339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jungian analysts Vlado Solc and George J. Didier set out to explore the psychological dynamics and causes of religious fundamentalism and fanaticism. The book offers an in-depth-psychological analysis of what happens when a person becomes possessed by the unconscious energies of the Self. Dark Religion also reveals that spirituality is an inherent dimension of human life and one of its most essential needs. It only becomes "dark" when it denies, ignores, or separates itself from its vital roots. The authors coin the term "dark religion" to describe all forms of fanatical, radical and extreme religions. Their study shows how dark religion leads to profound conflicts on both the personal and cultural level--including terrorism and wars. surveys the vast contemporary cultural and religious landscapes. All the while discovering the emergent forms of spiritual praxis in light of postmodernism and the rise of fundamentalism in the new millennium.

Download or read book The Psychology of Fashion written by Carolyn Mair and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-04-09 with total page 151 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Psychology of Fashion offers an insightful introduction to the exciting and dynamic world of fashion in relation to human behaviour, from how clothing can affect our cognitive processes to the way retail environments manipulate consumer behaviour. The book explores how fashion design can impact healthy body image, how psychology can inform a more sustainable perspective on the production and disposal of clothing, and why we develop certain shopping behaviours. With fashion imagery ever present in the streets, press and media, The Psychology of Fashion shows how fashion and psychology can make a positive difference to our lives.

Download or read book UFOs Conspiracy Theories and the New Age written by David G. Robertson and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2016-02-25 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How-and why- were UFOs so prevalent in both conspiracy theories and the New Age milieu in the post-Cold War period? In this ground-breaking book, David G. Robertson argues that UFOs symbolized an uncertainty about the boundaries between scientific knowledge and other ways of validating knowledge, and thus became part of a shared vocabulary. Through historical and ethnographic case studies of three prominent figures-novelist and abductee Whitley Strieber; environmentalist and reptilian proponent David Icke; and David Wilcock, alleged reincarnation of Edgar Cayce-the investigation reveals that millennial conspiracism offers an explanation as to why the prophesied New Age failed to arrive-it was prevented from arriving by malevolent, hidden others. Yet millennial conspiracism constructs a counter-elite, a gnostic third party defined by their special knowledge. An overview of the development of UFO subcultures from the perspective of religious studies, UFOs, Conspiracy Theories and the New Age is an innovative application of discourse analysis to the study of present day alternative religion.

Download or read book Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories written by Michael Butter and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-02-17 with total page 1043 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Taking a global and interdisciplinary approach, the Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories provides a comprehensive overview of conspiracy theories as an important social, cultural and political phenomenon in contemporary life. This handbook provides the most complete analysis of the phenomenon to date. It analyses conspiracy theories from a variety of perspectives, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. It maps out the key debates, and includes chapters on the historical origins of conspiracy theories, as well as their political significance in a broad range of countries and regions. Other chapters consider the psychology and the sociology of conspiracy beliefs, in addition to their changing cultural forms, functions and modes of transmission. This handbook examines where conspiracy theories come from, who believes in them and what their consequences are. This book presents an important resource for students and scholars from a range of disciplines interested in the societal and political impact of conspiracy theories, including Area Studies, Anthropology, History, Media and Cultural Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.