Blog #1: Where is Religion?
16October 8, 2012 by Pr. Waggoner
One of Chidester’s purposes in Authentic Fakes is to make us think about what religion is. What makes something religious? How are we defining religion, and what is it that supposedly sets religion apart from anything else? From popular Culture? This isn’t Chidester’s only purpose, nor is the religiousness of seemingly non-religious pop cultures the only thing he writes about. But it’s one of the things that takes place in his book.
Bruce David Forbes outlines four different relationships between religion and popular culture, which we will be using as the template for this class (see the ‘topics’ column of the schedule).
What’s important to know right off the bat is that this is not a course about references to God or religion in popular culture. Religion shows up in popular culture all the time. But religion also takes on pop culture forms, as well. Sometimes pop culture functions like a religion even if it doesn’t have any specifically religious content. And sometimes all of these things are happening at once. What Chidester and Forbes provide is a sort of template for identifying a variety of different kinds of relationships that religion can have to popular culture.
1) Post a comment in which you identify and describe three examples of religion and popular culture. Select one example of religion, religious themes, or religious references showing up in popular culture (e.g., Monsters of Folk [not a religious band] song, “Dear God”). Select one example of religion taking on pop culture forms (e.g., Christian rock, Veggie Tales, etc.). And select one example of popular culture functioning like a religion (e.g., baseball, Elvis fandom). You will probably need to have read Forbes’ chapter to help you understand the differences between these three kinds of relationships between religion and popular culture. Remember, don’t just list them. You also need to describe them and tell us which of the three kinds of relationships they represent.
See the first blog post for instructions about commenting and for the grading rubric for blog comments and responses.
Religion and Popular Culture 
1) Post a comment in which you identify and describe three examples of religion and popular culture.
The four different relationships between religion and popular culture are,
1. Religion in Popular Culture
2. Popular Culture in Religion
3. Popular Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue
Out of the four the three I choose are Religion in Popular Culture, Popular Culture in Religion, and Popular Culture as Religion.
– Religion in Popular Culture is where religion shows up in pop culture but isn’t religious. Like Forbes stated the way Catholic nuns are portrayed in movies.
– Popular Culture in Religion is when religion is incorporated in pop culture such as when a worshiping place uses popular music styles. The difference between Religion in Popular culture and Popular Culture in Religion is that Popular Culture in Religion is meant to be religious.
– Popular Culture as Religion is associated with religious like functions such as a fan base or followers. Like Forbes had stated it is religion like for many people and is associated with three types of definitions substantive, functional as well as formal.
An example of religion, religious themes, or religious references showing up in a popular culture:
An example that came to mind for me was an episode of the Simpsons. I am not sure why either because I am not the biggest fan of theirs. However, I remember a specific example when they were recreating the nativity scene. They were recreating an iconic story brining religion into the episode but in their own specific way.
Select one example of religion taking on pop culture forms:
I did choose the Veggie Tales. While there are so many prime examples I choose the Veggie Tales because I grew up with them. When you are young and going to Sunday school you feel as you are watching cartoons telling the story of religion without thinking much of it, especially at such a young age.
And select one example of popular culture functioning like a religion
Country Music, I am a huge fan go to the country concerts every summer and I especially follow Kenny Chesney! Every concert I go to we run into the same group of people. We are like our own fan base, worshipers. We are devoted fans that travel just about anywhere not only for country music but especially for h
Describe three examples of religion and popular culture.
1) Religion in popular cultures for example a movie might use nuns in movies or redeemer role played by comic book superhero.
2) Popular culture in religion when churches or synagogues barrow popular music styles or organizational or advertising techniques.
3) Popular Culture as religion, example of this would be shrines of actors or singers like describe in the reading or in sports.
One example of religion taking on pop culture would be music. There are different Christian music out there that are trying to captivate a larger group of young kids and they think that only way to grab their attention is if they start making music that younger crowd would be attracted to. For example Christian rock and Christian hip-hop.
An example of popular culture functioning like a religion would probably be sports. People gather around whether at restaurants, bars or arenas and they somewhat are worshiping the team and praising them. People gather together every weekend to watch the games and it becomes like a religion.
Religion and popular culture seem to cross each other’s path very often. Some good examples would be the film Dogma by writer and director Kevin Smith. In this film many religious references show up throughout the story. Referencing within the story many themes of religious beliefs and differences. This is a good example of religious themes showing up in popular culture.
A good example of religion taking on popular culture is certain websites that are often seen being advertised on television, about modern day Christians finding love. The most popular would be Christianmingle.com where they promote this is the website where you can meet God’s match for you. This seems to be the religious way to relate with the youth who are consumed with popular culture.
And a great example of popular culture functioning like a religion would be Comicon. Being a comic book fan myself I have often made the religious like pilgrimage to New York City to bare witness to my comic book idles, to see the promise land made up of stacks of comic book goodness, and to listen to the preaching of my fellow comic book fans as they proclaim their love for certain characters. I feel this is an obvious example of popular culture functioning like a religion.
For religion taking in pop culture form:
I found a sitcom called Peculiar which is about a college kid who is living what life handed him and how it affects his faith. Shows that are based on a religious theme but buts into a sitcom allow people to understand and maybe have a different light for that religion. I believe it would fall under popular culture in religion.
Religious Reference:
U2’s song “Tomorrow”; which is a song where they tell a sorry and have a few lines speaking of God. I think with some songs it gives a higher meaning to what they are trying to show. I believe that the reference would be religion in popular culture.
Popular culture functioning like a religion:
First thing that comes to mind is Twilight, when teens and adults have to choose a Edward or Jacob. And it seems that what side you are on defines who you are as a person. I believe the relationship would be Popular culture as religion.
The four different relationships between religion and popular culture are,
1. Religion in Popular Culture
2. Popular Culture in Religion
3. Popular Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue
Of the four I pick 1,3, and 4.
Religion in popular culture there is an episode from Family Guy where Peter and Louise find out that they are from two different religious backgrounds and they can’t decide which one to get their kids into. It’s supposed to be a portrayed into a comedy but it’s contradicting the purpose of church and respecting people morals.
Pop Culture in Religion I always say there are plenty of artists, producers, etc.., out there in our world trying to display a message to world using music, movies, plays,etc but in all reality I think they are sending a mixed message.
Religion and Pop Culture in Dialogue. Have you ever seen so many movies that start off making church seem totally different than what it is supposed to be. In the movie Sister Act, Whoopi Goldberg is taken in by a catholic church with Nuns who are supposed to mold her from a show girl into a Nun, but in reality she turns them into her molds of entertainers.
The four different relationships between religion and popular culture are,
1. Religion in Popular Culture
2. Popular Culture in Religion
3. Popular Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue
My first thought of an example of Religion in Popular Culture is a song by Craig Morgan called “What I love about Sunday” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm3aCyRD3Vg
The song lyrics provide references about church, god, gospel, and religion but also incorporate every day popular cultural aspects such as clothes, food, family, and spots providing a range of all things that are Sunday popular cultural rituals, themes and events.
The second example, Religion taking on Popular Culture forms makes me think of the Alex and Ani bracelets. These are brackets that are designed for positive energy and various different charms have different meanings. The bracelets are known all over and almost everyone has at least one or two, if not more. The brackets have incorporated religion into their charms with symbols such as the Holy Cross, Lotus Petal, Water Lily, Tree of Life, Buddha, and Om symbol. They even have one the represents the Godmother.
The third example, Popular Culture functioning like a Religion makes me think of my own personal love for country singer, Dierks Bentley. If you know anything about Dierks you will know that whenever you go to his concerts you will see almost every girl there in a “little white tank top”. It is just a thing/topic in many of his songs, which have been incorporated into his fans expression of their love for him and his music. I have seen Dierks Bentley in concert eight times, have met him twice, and every time I have been wearing one of his concert – “little white tank tops” or some other variation of a white tank top. So my devotion to Dierks Bentley, his music, and the ritual of white tank tops serves in a religious like function.
1. Religion in Popular Culture
I thought of the movie “Sister Act 2”, because the original movie “Sister Act” was all about hiding out a woman from being killed. So they hid her in a church until the case was solved, but ended up turning things around for the church with nuns. But with Sister Act 2, the very same groups of nuns reached out to the woman hiding out to help them out with a bunch of street kids. Dressed her back into a nun suit just to be able tolerate and turn their life around for the better.
2. Popular Culture in Religion
Pandora charms seems to be a very popular thing now and days. There are specific meanings to a variety of them. Like the Guardian Angel, which means to honor, and cherish a loved one. And the Watchful Eye Charm which means to ward of evil spirits and keep you safe.
3. Popular Culture as Religion
One of the things that I can think of, would be video games. Devil May Cry is one of best classic games that people still crave. I saw people dressing up as one of the characters, going to functions, putting tattoos on their body resembling the characters or of a particular scene. In my personal opinion, this would be a Pop Culture as a Religion.
Brenda Joslyn
Blog #1
There are four different relationships between religion and popular culture:
1. Religion in Popular Culture
2. Popular Culture in Religion
3. Popular Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue
Religion in popular culture is when religious themes or references show up in popular culture, but it is not religious. An example of this would be the song by Carrie Underwood, “Jesus, Take the Wheel”. The song is about a woman losing control of her car while sliding on an icy road, while her infant is in the back seat of the car. She is asking Jesus to take control of her car, life and future. She apologizes to Jesus for her behavior and vows she will change how she has been conducting her life and asks him to “take the wheel” of her “car” and “life”.
Popular Culture in Religion is when religion is incorporated into popular culture and the source is religious. An example would be televangelist, author and preacher, Joel Osteen.
Popular culture as religion is when it is not religious, but serves a religious like function for those who participate in it. An example would be when celebrities die and society pays tribute and show their devotion by creating a shrine of flowers, picture and candles. This was just done recently for celebrity, Paul Walker.
Braxton Darden
Blog Post 1
The four relationships between religion and popular culture are as follows: religion in popular culture, popular culture in religion, popular culture as religion and religion and popular culture in dialogue. Below I will provide examples for three of these relationships.
Religion in popular culture describes religious images in popular in the media or in non-religious music. An example of religion in popular culture would be the movie “Bruce Almighty” where Jim Carey was given the power of God for a certain length of time. Through the lenses of popular culture this was a creative depiction of how our current generation views God and his role in society.
Popular culture in religion describes how religion uses popular modes of communicating with the public or religion taking on popular forms. Examples of this are gospel artists Kirk Frankin and Tye Tribbett and their choirs incorporating popular dress, dance and popular music styles and using them to promote their music, in hopes of reaching a wider audience. In addition to this, they take their choirs on nationwide concert tours that are promoted through mass media.
Lastly, popular culture as religion is when some facet of popular culture functions like a religion. For example, Michael Jackson was a popular culture icon. While he was alive and after his death, millions of people across the world followed him around on tours, built shrines of him and longed to meet him and be around him as to the extent that someone would of a religious figure. His fans intense following and devotion to him appeared as if they were practicing within a religion.
The four different relationships between religion and pop culture are:
1. Religion in Pop Culture
2. Pop Culture in Religion
3. Pop Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Pop Culture in Dialogue
The topic of religion in pop culture made me immediately think of Peter Murphy, ex-member of Bauhaus, and how many of his songs feature themes from Sufism, a mystical sect of Islam popular in Turkey. For example, in “Dragnet Drag” Murphy sings, “Whirlpools whirl, dragnets drag, Hell is not the fire. Hell is your belief in yourself as the higher”. In this particular song, Murphy is highlighting how humans should submit to Allah and pursue knowledge, one cannot learn everything, and ego leads to suffering. Honestly, what else would you expect from the Godfather of Goth after he moved to Turkey and converted to Sufism?
As for pop culture in religion, Silver Dollar City, an amusement park in Branson, Missouri, perfectly fits this relationship. SDC has all types of roller coasters, “down home” cooking, characters dressed in 19th Century garb, craft demonstrations, etc. All with a heapin’ helpin’ of Christ! Since I’ve been there a few times, I have lots of stories about SDC, but I’ll keep it brief and just say that I didn’t realize just how Christian it really was until I actually paid attention to what was being said in the musical numbers and craft demos. Nevertheless, they put on a magnificent Christmas celebration and I always had a great time.
In my opinion, pop culture as religion can be summarized by the Oscars. There is so much hoopla leading up to “the big night”, you would think it was a major holiday. So many people appear to be devoted to what their favourite stars are wearing and seem to care what actors actually have to say about society and politics. Entertainers are portrayed as benevolent, almost saintly, and the paparazzi are like missionaries, faithfully spreading the words of Kanye and Clooney. Ugh… Thankfully, awards season is only once a year, but it never really goes away.
Religion has been used in many pop culture films. One good example I can think of would be the movie “The Exorcist”. The child was dealing with a demon or demons. The two priests tried to conduct an exorcism to free the child of evil spirits.
Pop culture has influence religion. Some gospel music have people rapping in them. The words are of a biblical reference. There is also praise dancing which is interruptive dancing used to praise God. A lot of people frown upon this because they consider it to be to worldly.
A good example of culture acting as religion would be when Michael Jordan sneakers are released. They religious wait in line or sleep outside for these shoes. Some people have so many pairs of Jordan’s. Yet, when the new ones are released they have to have those as well. Every time these sneakers are released the stores have to have extra security to control the crowds. People get hurt just trying to get them. When they are sold out some people get really angry because they missed out on the latest addition.
Blog #1
Chidester basically says that the American Popular Culture turns anything that is idolized into a religion, such as new music, popular food restaurants and popular television shows. We as people have a say so in what will be popular and what will not be popular.
Bruce Forbes goes over the four different relationships:
1) Religion in popular culture.
2) Popular culture in Religion.
3) Popular culture as Religion.
4) Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue.
I can agree with all four of these relationships to a degree. But I would say that Religion in Popular Culture stands out to me the most. I never realized how much religion is used on a day to day basis. A few examples that came to mind was when football players that do a dance whenever they get a touchdown symbolizing their achievement at that time. When performers pray before they go on stage. Even with my son’s basketball team his coach says a prayer after each practice and before each game. People incorporate the two together all the time without even realizing they are actually in a category of Religion in Popular Culture.
Identify and Describe three examples of Religion and Pop Culture:
1) Religion in Popular Culture, the appearance, explicitly or implicityly, of religious themes, language, imagery, and subject matter in elements of popular culture. Example- Sport teams incorporating prayer in the hundle prior to the start of a game or Tim Tebo kneeling to prayer before he hits the grass.
2) Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue, the discussion of the interactions of the two. Example – pastors, and ministers do this every Sunday, as they will call reference to that of a celebrity of major event in popular culture to show the significance it has on the word of God.
3) Popular Culture as Religion, the argument that popular culture serves as religion or functions like religion for many people. Example – The craze surrounding the Football play-offs and fanatic fans worshiping celebrities or perfect example, the creation of a new religion that is of the likes of a celebrity like in the case of Kanye West.
Carlos Lara
Showing up in pop culture- with arms wide-open- Creed
This is like Religion in Popular Culture because this song was a hit in mainstream pop and people didn’t see it just as Christian rock.
Religion taking on pop culture -Reborn- Rebecca St. James
This is like Religion and Popular culture in Dialogue. Rebecca points out being reborn from pop culture.
Popular culture functioning like religion- NFL
This is like Popular culture as religion because the NFL takes on a religious role by having so many followers and traditions. The superbowl is virtually a Christmas for its followers.
Crystal Ayala
There are four different relationships between religion and popular culture:
1. Religion in Popular Culture
2. Popular Culture in Religion
3. Popular Culture as Religion
4. Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue
Religion in pop culture is very popular and is used in popular culture to bring across idea, reach out to public and relate to the public. Celebrities and famous figures also use God or religion as their base as to how they reached where they are in life, the many obstacles they overcame with the help of their religion, the demonic and Godly references in their lyrics, poems and films. Such as Kanye West song, Jesus Walks and how he changed his name to “yeezus.” Also the TV reality shows and TV series that have religion like, “the preachers of LA,” as six men portray themselves of ministers and preachers of God but seems as though they’re being driven by fame and fortune rather than representing themselves humble and subtle as men of God.
Popular Culture in Religion has been used greatly now in modern age to grab the attention of individuals in the world and used as examples of how popular culture has a negative effect on public and how great of an impact it can have on the public. The film documentary, “The truth Behind Hip Hop” is used in ministry to show how lyrics and hip hop artists use in the lyrics demonic verses and devil impersonations to control the minds of listeners and allow demons to manipulate their actins. Sermons being broadcasted on television live.
Popular Culture as religion is when serves as a function like a religion for many people. General categories that many think serve as a functional religion such as TV shows, video gaming (those who preorder their games) sport games, sneaker releases, following the latest trends, social networks like Facebook and twitter. I like the example Forbes used, popular culture as religion example is like people who are infatuated with start trek and like to do reenactments. People substitute their religion and worship services to popular culture and present day trends.
Of the four different relationships I chose to explain first, religion in pop culture, as it appears to be awards season the most prevalent and recent instances of religion in pop culture that I can think of are all the actors and actresses and musicians and celebrities of some sort that always thank god, generally first and foremost in their acceptance speeches. This is a break from their usual unguided by morals or a belief system behavior so this example sticks out to me and I will admit that I chuckle a bit every time they do that and think of the terrible headline or photo that they had in the news the weeks prior.
The second is, pop culture in religion. With this relationship I am driven to think of Joel Osteen, I have stumbled upon his program more than once, even read a book or two. He is a televangelist although I do not think he would admit to that. His “service” is a theatrical amazement. The set is spectacular complete I believe with a running water fall and generally a chorus or choir and a band of some type. The service is held in a amphitheater and is a large production done on a very large scale with what one can only imagine would be a very large budget. This to me is an instance of popular culture finding its way into religion. Mr. Osteen is making his service more of a production so that more people will start to watch it and start to buy into his beliefs.
The last relationship I wanted to mention is popular culture as religion. I witnessed this first hand a few years back while on a road trip across the country. My co-pilot and I though it might be un-American if we drove through Tennessee and did not stop in Memphis and visit Grace land and the resting place of Mr. Elvis Presley, so of course we did. I am glad that we did and it was an experience that I will never forget. Seeing people that loved and still do love him some thirty plus years after his death crying openly at his grave sight, people that did not even know him was a humbling experience. Fans and Elvis devotees still cover his grave sight daily with flowers and gifts and mementos of his work and it is quite clear that they worship Elvis Presley in the same way that some might worship a “higher power”.