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Full-Text Articles in Sociology of Religion
Two Essays On And With DōGen, Conor J. Loy, Owen Crum
Two Essays On And With DōGen, Conor J. Loy, Owen Crum
Denison Journal of Religion
Zen Master Dōgen (1200-1253) is one of the most important Japanese Buddhist philosophers in medieval Japan. The first essay is a short introduction to Dōgen and the significance of his teachings in the 21st century. Reading Dōgen’s “Mountains and Rivers Sūtra,” Owen Crum and Conor Loy emphasize the importance of recognizing Buddha-nature in every living being as a way to overcome environmental destruction. Both authors understand that Dōgen’s teachings of universal Buddha-nature challenge anthropocentric views on nature and allow people in the twenty-first century to ask pressing ethical and religious questions in new and compelling ways.
Keeping Up With Hanuman: Reimagining The Myth Of Hanuman Through Animation, Mrinalini Mitra
Keeping Up With Hanuman: Reimagining The Myth Of Hanuman Through Animation, Mrinalini Mitra
Denison Journal of Religion
Hanuman (2005) distinguished itself from the previous films by mimicking and adopting an animation style that was adopted in Western superhero movies and cartoons. The favorable response of the Indian community and diaspora to the movie Hanuman coupled with the fact that Hanuman had previously been adapted in basic arcade and online games as the main hero, inspired the Indian digital gaming industry. This essay analyzes the popularity of the ‘animated’ Hanuman and the Indian audiences eagerness to ingest Hanuman’s stories through animation. What makes Hanuman appealing to new media genres, like animation, in the Indian sub-continent? How do the …
Jim Crow Jesus, Sky Paxton
Jim Crow Jesus, Sky Paxton
Denison Journal of Religion
With an attention to womanist theological critiques of hetero-patriarchal-white- sexist America especially from Kelly Brown Douglas, this essay deconstructs the images of the white Christ and reconstructs the Black Christ. The Black Christ was born out of Blacks’ critical awareness of white exceptionalism, experiences of historical racism, and gender and sexuality-sensitive approach to Christian theology. Finally, Paxton suggests a Black female gay as the radical embodiment of the Christ in the 21st century America.
The Economics Of The Guru, Margaret Mahoney
The Economics Of The Guru, Margaret Mahoney
Denison Journal of Religion
This essay studies “Gurus,” specifically the globalization of Hinduism that has spread Hindu spiritual practices in the West and also influenced the practices in In- dia. In the United States, a focus on the self and individualism is a trait commonly found which has led to an increase in mindfulness practices. These practices travel around the world and are changed in the process, then come back to the “East” as comodified practices. Many modern gurus have latched onto traditionally Hindu practices and teachings and sell their own version of it in lectures and products that promise its consumers a better …
Gaston’S Economic, Religious And Political Intersectionality, Jack Droke
Gaston’S Economic, Religious And Political Intersectionality, Jack Droke
Denison Journal of Religion
Gaston county, North Carolina provides a perfect case to explore the intersectionality of the economy, politics, and religion that dominates power structures on a national scale. With an attention to the Loray Mill strike of 1929, this paper theologically analyzes the relationship between neoliberal economy and the prosperity gospel and questions whether the church is a setting of concessions when it should be acting as a voice for its constituents, regardless of what the upper class desires or has constructed.
What "Makes" A Religion?: Interactions Of Orthodoxy And Orthopraxy In Hinduism, Eva Rosenthal
What "Makes" A Religion?: Interactions Of Orthodoxy And Orthopraxy In Hinduism, Eva Rosenthal
Denison Journal of Religion
This paper explores the complexities of the following question: In being Hindu, in what ways does one "practice" and in what ways does one "believe?" To what extent are ancient texts considered an un-debatable "source" for faith in divine presence? Gaining an understanding of what these texts are and how exactly they relate to both ritual and belief (because, as we will come to find, both ritual and belief are present in every facet of Hindu worship; what we are looking at is their interaction with one another and which seems to be of more importance in each given circumstance) …
A Necropolitical Analysis Of American Military Recruitment, Sarah Curtin
A Necropolitical Analysis Of American Military Recruitment, Sarah Curtin
Denison Journal of Religion
In light of postcolonial theorist Achille Mbembe’s idea of necropolitics or sovereignty’s right to kill, Curtin historically and ethically analyzes American military recruitment from a draft to an all-volunteer-force. Defining soldiering as a form of necropolitical labor because soldiers, especially low-ranked soldiers, jeopardize their own lives while carrying out their jobs at war, the author ethically suggests that (1) war must be understood as a path to death, (2) the U.S. should slowly downsize its military, and (3) religion such as Christianity must accentuate life over death.
Note From The Editor, Eva Rosenthal
Reconstructionist Judaism, Seth Schoenhaus
Reconstructionist Judaism, Seth Schoenhaus
Denison Journal of Religion
This essay argues that Reconstructionist Judaism, though first and foremost a Jewish movement, was profoundly influenced by quintessentially American ideals, values, and figures that shaped the denomination’s foundations. In doing so, the paper pays special attention to Reconstructionism’s founder, Mordechai Kaplan, delving into his personal history as well as relevant European Jewish history to contextualize his ideas. Additionally, this essay explores modernity as it applied to early and mid-twentieth century American Jewish life and what that meant to the practice and evolution of the Jewish faith.
Seth Schoenhaus '18 is from Albany, NY and received his BA in Religion with …
Embodiments Of Wisdom: Feeling, Knowing And The Boundaries Of The Self, Eva Rosenthal
Embodiments Of Wisdom: Feeling, Knowing And The Boundaries Of The Self, Eva Rosenthal
Denison Journal of Religion
In this collection of excerpts from her senior research, Rosenthal examines different iterations of the traditionally female goddess Wisdom. She selects two ancient texts, The Thunder: Perfect Mind and the Secret Revelation of John, from the Nag Hammadi codices. Rosenthal notes the ways in which Wisdom is disconnected and isolated, drawing from David Halperin’s essay “Why is Diotima a Woman” to argue the point that much of Wisdom’s power and legitimacy seems to stem from her being other, and therefore above, humanity. Rosenthal also notes the places and ways in which Wisdom seems to have a physical body in each …
Transforming "Rights" To "Justice" And "Power": Reframing Attitudes On Environmental And Reproductive Health Of Indigenous Women In The United States, Jayla Johnson
Denison Journal of Religion
The effects of environmental degradation, targeted acts of violence against land and reproductive capacities, and Christian fundamentalism on Indigenous women’s spiritual/health practices are inseparable when addressing the mistreatment of Native women’s environment and the reproductive oppression within their communities in the United States. Johnson argues that reframing the language around environmental and reproductive “rights” to mean “justice/power” is pivotal to the process of re-envisioning a more justice-oriented framework towards Indigenous women’s environmental and reproductive health. The five components of this paper are 1) The Historical Impact of Colonization on Indigenous Women’s Health, 2) the Influences of Christian Fundamentalism on the …
A Chinese Liberation Christology: Jesus, The Redeemer Of Sin And Empires, Rene Guo
A Chinese Liberation Christology: Jesus, The Redeemer Of Sin And Empires, Rene Guo
Denison Journal of Religion
This essay examines exceptionalism, militarism and the post-colonial empire in the context of Mainland China. It argues that in a society where people have limited freedom of religion, Christology assumes far greater significance. If theology is not compatible with the culture, the church will not grow. Liberating Christology in the Chinese context thus depends on its ability to enculture successfully with the philosophical outlook linked to the core of Chinese identity. This paper offers renewed understandings of the models of Sin and Empire to critique the power discourse promoted by the dominant consciousness. The final section provides a series of …
"Chance The Rapper And Moltmann's Theology Of Hope," From Chance The Rapper As Chicago's Prophet: An Intersection Of Rap, Religion, And Race, Sarah Curtin
Denison Journal of Religion
This project is an investigation of Chance the Rapper, both as a person and a musician. The focus is his most recent activism within his non-profit, Social Works, and his most recent mixtape, Coloring Book. Both his activism and music are executed with a biblical message and Chance’s unapologetic identity as a Christian. Between his music and activism, Chance has become a very popular figure in a way that surpasses mere celebrity. His music is religious–it is heavily mixed with gospel music and celebrates God, blessings, and angels–but is coupled with activism that authentically supports his Christian message. This …
Dreams: Gateway To The Godhead, Tina Berardi
Dreams: Gateway To The Godhead, Tina Berardi
Denison Journal of Religion
In Hinduism, there is the fundamental belief that there is a greater connectivity than a physical one between the universe and the individual. That belief comes down to the discourse within the Upanishads that the Self (the Atman) is the same as the Universe (Brahman). However, there is the noise of the physical world that keeps the body separate from the universe. There are four states of being; waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep, and the transcendent state. In order to reach the transcendent state, or turiya, one must pass through each state of being. Interpreting dreams is the first step, and …