Sociology of Religion Commons^™

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

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

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

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 …

Note From The Editors, Seth Schoenhaus, Eva Rosenthal

Denison Journal of Religion

No abstract provided.

The Construction Of The African Slave Identity: Defying Hegemony Through Syncretic Religious Practices, Caleigh Dwyer

Denison Journal of Religion

“The Construction of the African Slave Identity: Defying Hegemony through Syncretic Religious Practices” by Caleigh Dwyer, ’19. Dwyer examines the extent to which traditional African culture and the Protestantism with which new slaves were confronted helped them resist the hegemonic structure of American slavery. She argues that the Protestant church acted as a tool, or framework, for collective organization and a restructuring of African identity. African slaves, then, found agency and an opportunity for self-definition through “Africanizing” the Protestant church after white slavers fragmented and suppressed African culture. However, African slave culture made its mark on the Protestant church just …

When We Get Up Yonder, We Shall Have Them Rights Restored To Us: Sojourner Truth’S “The Injustice Of Slavery” And The Rhetoric Of Black Liberation Theology Of Hope, Nordia Bennett

Denison Journal of Religion

“’When We Get Up Yonder, We Shall Have Them Rights Restored To Us:’ Sojourner Truth’s ‘The Injustice of Slavery’ and the Rhetoric of Black Liberation Theology of Hope” by Nordia Bennett, ’17. Bennett situates her reading of Sojourner Truth’s famous speech in the black liberation theology of James Cone, connecting Truth’s views of Jesus’ actions with Cone’s historical, Jewish Jesus. Her analysis continues with a mention of the socioeconomic circumstances of black people as expressed in Truth’s speech, connecting these observations to modern scholarship regarding the injustices of modern economics. Finally, she reads Truth in the light of Jurgen Moltmann, …

“Gospel Of Grace”: Understanding “Amazing Grace” With Musical And Theological Analysis, Ellie Hasan

Denison Journal of Religion

“Gospel of Grace: Understanding ‘Amazing Grace’ with Musical and Theological Analysis” by Ellie Hasan, ’18. Hasan dispels the myth that the classic American hymnal ‘Amazing Grace’ was originally a slave spiritual, utilizing historical scholarship to attribute its authorship to an eighteenth century white slave trader. That the piece found its home in the black gospel canon is a testament to the transformational, liberating nature of gospel music. Hasan touches upon the theological aspects of gospel music that made ‘Amazing Grace’ a natural addition to the gospel canon, taking care to center her scholarship in the musical qualities of gospel practices …

Land Of The Free, Home Of The Racist: Exploring The Narrative Of America’S Racial Prejudice, Jillian Taylor Fox

Denison Journal of Religion

“Land of the Free, Home of the Racist: Exploring the Narrative of America’s Racial Prejudice” by Jillian Fox, ’19. Fox uses a racist incident that occurred at Denison University in the late 1970s to explore the work of womanist theologian and Denison University graduate Kelly Brown Douglas. After recounting the incident, she explores Douglas’ response at the time as well as her later work, much of which stems from ancient notions of national exceptionalism, ethnocentrism, and white racial pride. Fox continues to discuss the implications of exceptionalism as it pertains to Manifest Destiny, which the author in turn connects to …

Embodied Ayurveda, Sarah Curtin

Denison Journal of Religion

“Embodied Ayurveda” by Sarah Curtin, ’18. The author focuses on traditional, modern, and global iterations of the traditional Indian medical system Ayurveda. Whereas Western medicine focuses on empiricism, results, and relatively stringent proof of efficacy, traditional Ayurveda holds ancient texts in high regard, separating body functions and processes into pure and impure categories that have little basis in the Western medicinal tradition. However, as pharmaceutical companies latch on to the increasing popularity of traditional Indian medicine, the integrity, practice, and plant-based sources for Ayurvedic remedies are all threatened. Curtin continues to discuss traditional notions of semen conservation versus the modernized …

Note From The Editor, Meggie Hill, Seth Schoenhaus, Ellie Hasan

Denison Journal of Religion

No abstract provided.

Indian Dalits And Hindutva Strategies, Seth Schoenhaus

Denison Journal of Religion

“Indian Dalits and Hindutva Strategies” by Seth Schoenhaus, ’18. The author tracks the evolution of India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party alongside Scheduled Caste (specifically Dalit) self-conception to elucidate the BJP’s strategies to attract Dalit voters, who have historically not been receptive to the BJP’s muscular Hindutva thrust. Importantly, appropriating and recasting the Hindu story of Lord Ram in a nationalist light and engaging in historical revisionism regarding Dalit communal leader B.R. Ambedkar has proven vital in engaging with the Dalit electorate. These methods, combined with lingering sentiments of Sanskritization in many Dalit communities and increasing stratification with higher rates …