Sociology of Religion Commons^™

The Pornography Debate: Religiosity And Support For Censorship, Brian A. Droubay, Robert P. Butters, Kevin Shafer

Faculty Publications

Pornography has become an increasingly salient topic in public discourse. We sought to better understand the role of religiosity in shaping people’s support of policy stances against pornography, in the form of censorship, using nationally representative data from the 2014 General Social Survey (n = 1676). Results from logistic regression indicate that high religiosity significantly increases odds of supporting censorship. Holding control variables at their sample means, the least religious persons had a predicted probability of 0.09 of supporting censorship, compared to 0.57 for the most religious respondents. We discuss these findings within the context of the current public …

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.

P-06 Faith, Hope And Love: An Integrated Conceptual Framework For Examining Religious Outcomes In A Global Church, Karl G. D. Bailey, Duane C. Mcbride, Shannon M. Trecartin

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

The 2017-18 Global Church Member Survey conducted by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is designed to assess the quinquennial Church Strategic Plan (2015-2020). In designing this survey, we considered a variety of theoretical frameworks that could explain relationships between the target outcomes in the Strategic Plan. The resulting novel theoretical framework is based on Biblical principles and an integration of a number of frameworks in the social sciences: motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2008; Greenberg, Solomon, & Arndt, 2008; Koole, Greenberg, & Pyszczynski, 2006; Pyszczynski, Greenberg, & Goldenberg, 2003; Ryan & Deci, 2000) and hope (Bernardo, 2010; Snyder, …

Renegado: Immigrant Identities And Aspirations Of White Muslim Converts In Morocco, Paul Williamson Kiefer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

If one turns over enough stones in Morocco, they will come across hundreds of Western converts to Islam, most of whom are white. Some are obvious: one might spot a blue-eyed Belgian wearing a jellaba on a train to Fes or a Danish woman in a hijab running a bakery in central Casablanca. Others might be mistaken for tourists, like an American woman with her hair pulled back into a ponytail seated in the corner of a high-end café in Rabat. These converts are immigrants, and most chose to live in Morocco as a form of hijra, or migration for …

“Yo Agradezco Por No Sentirme Solo”: La Iglesia Evangélica En El Espacio Transnacional / "I Thank You For Not Feeling Alone": The Evangelical Church In The Transnational Space, L. Elizabeth Jowers

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Del 86% de argentinos que fueron criados en una familia católica, el 15% ahora no se autodenomina católico. Este trabajo se enfoca en dos flujos demográficos en la Argentina. Uno es la diversificación del campo religioso, en particular la influencia creciente con respecto a la iglesia cristiana evangélica. El segundo flujo es la inmigración, en particular la inmigración de los países limítrofes de la Argentina. Estos dos flujos demográficos están vinculados a los temas globales del desarrollo económico y la difusión acelerada de las ideas y creencias en el siglo XXI. Estas dos tendencias se ven claramente en el distrito …

Restoring Eden: The Role Of Christianity On Environmental Conservation: A Case Of Karatu District, Arusha, Tanzania, Taylor Allen

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In order for environmental conservation to be effective it must have a method of translating to people’s everyday values. Developing countries which include mostly bio-diversity hotspot areas are important to maintain sustainable development. Due to most of these countries following an organized religion, predominantly Christian, an alternative method of conservation may be successful to motivate citizens to participate in efforts. In order for this to be successful, members of the congregation must agree that there is a religious obligation to care for the environment. For Christianity this obligation is discussed by the creation story in the bible. This paper will …

La Relación De Prácticas Religiosas E La Identidad: Los Campesinos Migrantes Q’Eros / The Relationship Of Religious Practices And Identity: The Migrant Peasants Q'Eros, Autumn Delong

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este estudio se enfoca en la relación entre la experiencia religiosa de los campesinos migrantes q’ero y la concepción de la identidad. Describe el estado de los rituales religiosos en la ciudad de Cusco y explica la preservación y el cambio de las prácticas a través de la migración de los q’ero del campo a la ciudad. Además, explica el papel de las tradiciones religiosas como un fortalecimiento y reafirmación de la identidad q’ero en medio del nuevo ambiente de la ciudad. Este informe muestra que las perspectivas de los especialistas y practicantes de los rituales de la cosmovisión andina …

La Tierra Aquí Es Amable: Soil Macrofauna Density And Producer Perceptions Of Agricultural Soil Fertility In Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Clara Fernandez Odell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Ethnopedology, as a subfield of ethnoecology, is the study of localized symbols and values, knowledge, and practices relating to soils. One key framework for ethnopedological studies is the Kosmos-Corpus-Praxis model, which synthesizes local and traditional ecological into three overlapping, interrelated spheres. Cerro Punta, Chiriquí is the primary vegetable-growing region in Panama, an industry highly dependent on the region’s fertile volcanic soils. Semi-structured interviews (n=8) and soil macrofauna density surveys as an indicator of soil fertility (n=9) were used to gather information regarding producers’ beliefs, knowledge, and decisions about soil fertility.

Among producers in Cerro Punta, religious beliefs and land symbolism …

The Islam Of Europe: Challenges Of Governance, Erin Baranko

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As practicing Muslims become an increasingly large share of the population in Western European countries, governments encounter the challenge of preserving liberal democratic societies in the face of a force often considered to be in direct opposition to the values of those societies. This paper discusses the challenges of the governance of Islam in Western Europe and evaluates the validity of the perceived threat of Islam to European values. Through analysis of scholarly work and interviews with experts in relevant professional and academic fields, this paper identifies three myths about Islam that contribute to this perceived threat: Islam is anti-democratic, …

Sufis In A 'Foreign' Zawiya: Moroccan Perceptions Of The Tijani Pilgrimage To Fes, Joel Green

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The purpose of this ISP is to investigate Moroccan perceptions of sub-Saharan members of the Tijaniyya during the completion of their religious pilgrimage to Fes. The relationship between Moroccans andTijani pilgrims is particularly complex as it occurs at an intersection of various identities, most prominently including race, religion, class and nationality. This project focuses on Moroccans who work in the area surrounding the shrine of Ahmed al-Tijani and either market their business towards Tijani pilgrims or frequently serve Tijani pilgrims as customers. In the course of interviews with five Moroccans, three major themes emerged: 1. Condemnation of Tijani religious practice. …

"But The Heart Stays Turkish": Identifications Of Immigrants And Boundaries Of Belonging In America, Zeynep Selen Bayhan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation focuses on the symbolic boundary-making processes of first-generation Turkish immigrants in New York and New Jersey, where Islam has been tainted with negative meanings and symbols. By focusing on the characteristics, salience and endurance of ethno-national, religious and gender boundaries that immigrants perceive and experience in the U.S., it examines the possibilities of social inclusion and assimilation/integration of immigrants into the mainstream society. The dissertation addresses following research questions: What sort of symbols and markers, as well as narratives do immigrants use in order to construct boundaries regarding American society? How do Turkish immigrants, in the aftermath of …

Yardwork: A Biography Of An Urban Place By Daniel Coleman, Vivian M. Hansen

The Goose

Review of Daniel Coleman's Yardwork: A Biography of an Urban Place.

Complexities And Challenges Of Nonduality, Elizabeth Stephens

CONSCIOUSNESS: Ideas and Research for the Twenty-First Century

States of consciousness referred to as nonduality, awakening, enlightenment, moksha, peak experience, unitive states, or void states, among other terms, have garnered increasing secular attention and have become a topic of psychological and neuroscientific research. A review of the literature revealed many challenges to studying this set of states, such as inconsistent conceptualizations, a variety of models and theories, and conflicting descriptions indicating that the actual experience may not live up to the superlative descriptions found in historical texts or the expectations put forth by nondual teachers. A great deal more empirical research on this topic is needed, and researchers …

From Rock Art To Vertical Forests, Hall, Gill

Journal of Conscious Evolution

No abstract provided.

"It's Not Equality": How Race, Class, And Gender Construct The Normative Religious Self Among Female Prisoners, Rachel Ellis

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Works

Prior sociological research has demonstrated that religious selves are gendered. Using the case of female inmates—some of the most disadvantaged Americans—this article shows that dominant messages constructing the religious self are not only gendered, but also deeply intertwined with race and class. Data from 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork on religion inside a U.S. state women’s prison reveal that religious volunteers—predominately middle-class African American women—preached feminine submissiveness and finding a “man of God” to marry to embody religious ideals. However, these messages were largely out of sync with the realities of working class and poor incarcerated women, especially given their …

Disintegrating Worldviews And The Future Of Catholic Education: Addressing The Deep Roots Of Catholic Disaffiliation, Patrick R. Manning

Journal of Catholic Education

Catholic schools in this country continue to struggle with declining enrollment just as the wider American Church continues to struggle with rampant disaffiliation. While some Catholic educators have generated creative solutions to keep their schools afloat, the long-term viability of U.S. Catholic education will require understanding the deep roots of current disaffiliation trends in the gradual fading of the Christian worldview from Westerners’ imaginations. This article addresses this issue by interpreting sociological data about the faith lives of Catholics and Americans in general through the lens of contemporary research on secularization. Working from these interpretive insights, the author suggests concrete …

Natura Sanat: On Ecological Aspects Of Healing Miracles In Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland, Kamila Baraniecka-Olszewska

Journal of Global Catholicism

The subject-matter of my article is a change affecting the discourse on miraculous healings in a Catholic Marian sanctuary – Kalwaria Pacławska – run by Franciscan friars in the South-Eastern Poland and a way in which those changes affect pilgrims’ bodies. In Kalwaria Pacławska there meet, intersect and compete various religious and secular discourses and they all influence emotions and bodily sensations accompanying pilgrimage to this sacred site. One of those discourses has been introduced to Kalwaria just recently. The central element of the sanctuary is the miraculous image of Virgin Mary which is the goal of numerous pilgrimages from …

Authors' Introduction, Kamila Baraniecka-Olszewska, Magdalena Lubanska

Journal of Global Catholicism

No abstract provided.

Can Synchronicity Be Invoked? Synchronistic Inquiry And The Nature Of Meaning, Crane, Gabriel S.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This paper examines synchronicity, the concept first proposed by Carl Jung, of an “acausal connecting principle” (Jung, 1952), or, a meaningful coincidence linking inner and outer events, from three distinct angles. First, it reviews the theoretical framework for synchronicity, and specifically explores the nature of meaning as an arbiter of synchronicity. The paper then asks whether, considering the co-determined nature of meaning, synchronicity can possibly be consciously invoked. Drawing upon anecdotal examples from personal experience, the outlines of a possible research process, personal synchronistic inquiry, are proposed. Finally, this paper presents a personal attempt to implement the research protocol outlined …

The Mythic-Cosmological Equation: A Different Approach To Understanding Reality, Mcauley, Charles E.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

No abstract provided.

Panpsychism And J.R.R. Tolkien: Exploring A Universal Psyche In The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, And The Lord Of The Rings, Sheppard-Goodlett, Lisa R.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

An informal exploration of the concept of panpsychism in three of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy works, The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, by using multiple consciousness theories from prominent consciousness authors. Plotlines, character compositions, and physical and mental interactions between individuals and entities are examined through multi-faceted panpsychic consciousness lenses. Those lenses include consciousness as a “stream,” integrality, evolutionary emergence of consciousness in all life forms, numinosity, liminality, the mythical trickster, major consciousness themes, precognitive and lucid dreaming, removal of self-identity through separation and burial, inner work, plurality and conflict, and enlightenment and synergism.

A New Method Of Remote Healing Through Information Based Treatment, Sági, Mária

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Healing, in the form of remote healing, is one of the most exciting proofs of the working of the primordial field described by Ervin Laszlo. Although phenomena of "presentiment" and "faith healing" have been with us since earliest times, in each subsequent age, in every culture, and throughout the development of the world's belief systems, systematic attempts to understand these phenomena have been growing ever stronger. The paradigm of western science in the modern age tended to relegate remote healing to the realm of superstition or delusion, but this certainly does not characterize the complete history of science. Even in …

Poly-Perspectival Wisdom And Aperspectival Awareness: How Attunement To The Umwelten Of Nonhumans Cultivates Integral Awareness, Morley, Julie J.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This paper explores the idea that humans are biologically, mentally, and spiritually connected to nonhumans throughout the natural world. As science and philosophy expand to include the participation of the observer, new integral methodologies emerge and understanding shifts. Without deeper awareness of our place and purpose within the planetary ecosystem, we cannot begin to understand who we are as a species, and what we mean to the cosmos. We need to re-awaken to our relationship with the whole. Theologian and Earth scholar Thomas Berry referred to this connected whole “the Great Conversation,” (1991). He warned that only our re-entry into …

Art And The Evolution Of Consciousness: A Look At The Work Of Owen Barfield, Jean Gebser, And Gottfried Richter, Brown, Zachary

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This essay examines the concept of consciousness in three major twentieth century writers, Owen Barfield (1977, 1988), Jean Gebser (1984), and Gottfried Richter (1982). Fundamental to all three of these is the idea that human consciousness, and especially perception, evolves with the passage of historical time, and that this evolution is reflected in the production of art. In each thinker, consciousness of the self is seen primarily as a function of orientation in space and time. The evolution of this orientation is concretely expressed in many areas of cultural development, especially the arts (Gebser, 1985).