Digital Commons Network^™

Shame And The Cult Survivor As Viewed Through Erikson’S Theory, Devin Marie Seltz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the manifestations of shame in cult survivors using Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development as its framework. According to Erikson (1959), individuals evolve through eight stages of development, each stage being met with a unique social and psychological crisis. If that psychosocial crisis is met and overcome, the individual advances to the next stage of development with additional psychosocial resilience. Erikson’s theory focuses on the importance of achieving these developmental tasks throughout the eight stages in order to build personal identity and resilience. Cults are known for exerting excessive control over individuals by employing techniques and strategies that …

Apologetic Response To The Timing Contradiction In The Synoptic Gospels, Oluwaseun Ebenezer Agboola

Masters Theses

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, commonly known as the Synoptic Gospels, serve as the primary sources for understanding the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For centuries, Christians have treated these accounts as sacred and authoritative texts that shaped doctrine and devotion. However, despite their theological significance, the Synoptic Gospels present challenges when examined from a historical and literary perspective. One of the most debated issues is the apparent discrepancies in the timing of the crucifixion of Jesus. While the Gospel of Mark states that the crucifixion was at the third hour (9 a.m.), Luke emphasizes …

New Light On The Holy City, Douglas L. Winiarski

Religious Studies Faculty Publications

"The Holy City is one of the iconic images of the “New Era” of “Mother’s work" —come to be called—that began in 1837 and lasted into the 1850s. Nearly three feet tall and two feet wide, the large gift drawing depicts a city divided between a rectangular inner precinct and four, half-moon-shaped suburbs. The inspired Shaker visionist who drew The Holy City began by outlining the plan in graphite, using a compass and straight edge, then tracing the lines in black ink. A double line filled with a dark cyan watercolor wash creates the square inner walls of the city; …

The Dobbs Decision: The Unraveling Of Christian Theocracy In The United States Legislation, Breeha Azhar Shah

DePaul Journal for Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Wisdom Responses To Troubled Times: Healing Through Contemplative And Somatic Approaches, David Smith, Thomas Falkenberg, Remy Y.S. Low, David Chang, Åsa Jarskog, Jason Brown, Randy Persad, Anna Rumjahn, Charles Scott, Heesoon Bai

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

Humanity is facing troubled times, as witnessed by increased polarization and division that are exploding into various forms of violence. Collectively, we are facing unprecedented ecological and environmental disasters. On campuses throughout North America, and closer to home, student anxiety, depression and other mental health issues are increasingly prevalent. The academic fields of contemplative inquiry and somatic studies, which highlight holistic approaches to education, are responding to these troubled times by showing how we can accomplish presence of mind, promote healing, and embrace the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and ecological dimensions of wellness.

World Religions And Mission, Matthew (Matt) Friedman

Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Imágenes De Silencio, Compromiso, Persecución Y Tortura: La Teología De La Liberación Y Su Encrucijada Con Las Dictaduras Del Cono Sur Desde Una Representación Cinematográfica, Marcial Martínez

Spanish and Portuguese ETDs

This dissertation examines the interaction between liberation theology and the

dictatorships of the Southern Cone from the 1960s to the 1980s through cinematic

representation. Filmmakers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay

depict the political upheavals of the time, including the rise of leftist movements,

military regimes, and the influence of liberation theology, a progressive religious

ideology advocating for the oppressed. The study focuses on what is defined here

as the "cinematic canon of liberation theology," a body of films and documentaries

that legitimize, contest, or obscure ideologies tied to this movement vis-à-vis the

dictatorships. These films contest the silence …

The Mujahedeen E-Khalq Of Iran (Mek): Agents Of Democratic Revolution Or Cultic Oppression?, Molly Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (MEK), an Iranian oppositional group that has engaged in a decades-long effort to depose the Iranian government. The goal of this thesis has three parts. First, it examines if the MEK should be classified as a new religious movement/cult. It also addresses the implications of such status given the MEK’s claims that it functions as a democratic entity and that it can be trusted to govern Iran in democratic fashion. Secondly, it examines if Iranian disinformation has influenced the MEK’s reputation. Thirdly, it analyses how the MEK has been able to …

Rising Sun And Morning Calm : A Comparative Historical Study On The Response To Christianity In Korea And Japan, Gregory S. Whyte

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

“Every Mother A Missionary”?: The Vlogs Of Mormon Mothers, Celia Golden

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) places high expectations on mothers because their role in the church is to rear children into godly adults. When their lives are made public through social media, Mormon mothers online avoid religious expectations by withholding information about their Mormon faith and scarcely showing their husbands on-camera. Mormon husbands are expected to be the providers for the family, but as demonstrated through mothers’ vlogs on Instagram, husbands’ erasure allows for mothers to market their expertise to others as a paid product to earn their own revenue. Through descriptive coding, this study …

An Aspirational Cultus? Tolkien Fandom At The Borders Of Belief, Tom Emanuel

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

This paper draws upon fan studies, sociology of religion, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s theory of sub-creation to theorize the religious implications of Enyalië (Quenya: remembrance), the emotionally charged graveside memorial which closes the U.K. Tolkien Society’s annual gathering in Oxford. Employing a framework of religion as sacred worldbuilding, the author argues that Enyalië is best understood as the “secondary liturgy” of the “secondary faith community” that is Tolkien fandom. The paper concludes that Tolkien’s fiction, his community of devoted fans, and the lineaments of religious ritual have combined, in Enyalië, to produce a fan practice which troubles the boundaries …

The Wicker Man, Laurel Zwissler

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a book review of Steve A. Wiggins, The Wicker Man (Liverpool: Auteur, 2023)

From Ruin To Reconstruction: Words Shaping Identity In Undertow And Uncultured, Hannah Harvey

English Senior Capstone

Undertow by Charlene Edge and Uncultured by Daniella Mestanyek Young each document the rise and fall of a religious cult—The Way International and The Children of God, respectively—and the authors’ personal experiences with cult indoctrination. Both works discuss cult leaders’ use of psychologically manipulative language to strip members’ agency and individuality, and both works demonstrate how Edge and Young reclaimed their sense of self by processing their experiences in writing. An examination of their memoirs supplemented by selections from Emily Dickinson’s poetry reveals the power of words to destroy and create, to be used by cult leaders to obliterate the …

Exploring The Growth And Impact Of Contemporary Mindfulness Programs In Japanese Society, Shreya Wagh

Japanese Society and Culture

In today's fast-paced world, mindfulness practice offers a peaceful way to enhance awareness and find clarity in the mind. This practice, rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, aims to achieve spiritual enlightenment. In the late 20th century, mindfulness was adapted into secular, evidence-based therapeutic interventions in the West, leading to its widespread inclusion in healthcare, education, and corporate settings globally. The Westernized version of mindfulness has also been reintroduced to its countries of origin. Japan is no exception. The purpose of this article is to comprehend the rise and growth of mindfulness programs in Japan by analyzing existing literature, particularly …

Redux Redux, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Redux Redux (2025), dir. Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus.

The True Beauty Of Being Bitten By A Tick, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick (2025), directed by Pete Ohs.

The Infinite Husk, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The Infinite Husk (2025), directed by Aaron Silverstein.

We Bury The Dead, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of We Bury the Dead (2024), directed by Zak Hilditch.

Religious Institutionalization: Understanding Why Leaders Practice Shamanism In South Korea, Pál Koudela

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

Political and business leaders in South Korea are often the focus of attention these days because of their relation to shamanism. These activities are labeled superstitious and are widely condemned, though they are not new. Despite the overall condemnation, shamanistic practices among leaders, similarly to the wider population, persisted in the long run. There are two distinct parts to the criticism: everyday practice and high political positions given to mudangs. Practice is condemned because shamanism is not considered a religion as it has no proper institutions, that is, church, ideology, clergy, official history, and so forth. On the contrary, practice …

The Lived Experiences Of Mothers Leaving The Fundamentalist Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints: A Phenomenological Approach, Natasha Tebbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to provide a holistic understanding of the lived experiences of mothers who leave the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). This study answered questions related to familial relationships, career and financial experiences, and overall mental health and well-being associated with leaving the FLDS Church. The theory guiding this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, as it related to understanding the complexities of leaving a high-demand religious group. There was a lack of academic literature available on this population, specifically FLDS mothers’ experiences leaving the cultural and religious group. …

Shuffle, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Shuffle (2025), directed by Benjamin Flaherty.

The Age Of Disclosure, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The Age of Disclosure (2025), directed by Dan Farah.

Arrest The Midwife, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Arrest the Midwife (2025), directed by Elaine Epstein.

Dead Lover, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Dead Lover (2025), directed by Grace Glowicki.

March 19, 2025, Faculty, Illinois Wesleyan University

2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Touch Me, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Touch Me (2025), directed by Addison Heimann.

Mola: A Tibetan Tale Of Love And Loss, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Mola: A Tibetan Tale of Love and Loss (2025), dir. Martin and Yangzom Brauen.

Glorious Summer, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Glorious Summer (2025), directed by Helena Ganjalyan and Bartosz Szpak.

Your Higher Self (Le Plein Potentiel), Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Your Higher Self (Le Plein Potentiel) (2025) directed by Annie St-Pierre.

Mermaid, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Mermaid (2025), directed by Tyler Cornack.