Major Religions in America
Sweaty Question of the Week on Collider Heroes was Superhero comics have been a part of America for decades now, but with the recent surge in popularity, thanks to Hollywood, do you think it could be seen as the USA's version of Ancient Greek Mythology a century from now?:
"definitely not in the same realm as Religion" Hosts seemed to recognize DC heroes are related to Greek Mythology, and that these movies may help us morally or supportively. But their conclusion sounded more that they are not religious nor would they replace religion in our society.
My Comments:
There is a larger discussion to be had here. As one who studies Religion in America for a living. I feel the need to way in, especially with your simplistic notions of religion. Religion can be defined in several different ways. Hosts seem to define religion with some sort of altar or sacrificial system (Old Testament blood sacrifice rather than time and energy sacrifice). Others define religious devotion based on where your heart and mind are (what you fear, love, and trust). Yet others still define religion as a basis for Morality and place we turn for support in our world view (whatever brings you comfort and hope). This is why some of the most popular religions in America today are often not classified as Religion, because our ultimate civil definition of Religion is something that calls itself a religion.
But let me walk you through this. The most popular Religions in America today are Athletica, Science, Movies (in general), and (what most people think of as Religion) Biblical Religions. While Biblical Religions could be broken down into different Classifications like Judaism, Christianity (in various forms), Islam, and Mormonism, so Athletica, Science, and Movies can be broken down into various forms. Remember that Jedi is a recognized religious group in many states.
The worship and support of sports teams in most of the time just as time consuming and life altering as teaching children about Jesus or Muhammad. Science is generally one people struggle with, but while many people call themselves Atheists (there are some in this group that still believe in a higher power, just don't want to call it god) because they really worship facts, human theory, logic, reason, and science.
Similarly, Superhero worship can be viewed by people setting up shrines in their homes or office for their love of these characters that do help them through difficult times in their lives. Superhero mosque or synagogue would be a local Comic book store, movie theater, or local gathering place (even your show could be like many churches who have online services). Superhero/Movie hajj/pilgrimage would be traveling to Comic Cons across the country or the great one in San Diego. Similarly, Athletica has local stadiums of various sports. The great Hajj to the Super Bowl or World Series or even World Cup.
The most popular religions in America today are Athletica (Baseballism, Footballism, Soccerism, etc.), Science (Evolutionism, Civilism, etc.), Movies (Horror, Superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.), and Biblical Religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, etc). Some of these are monotheistic and some are polytheistic and some even claim to be anti-theistic. But they all call for clear devotion, require of people time and energy, and offer moral frameworks (whether good or bad) for people to lead their lives.
I tend to like the definition of Religion: whatever someone fears loves and trusts in above all things. This means that if I fear missing out on the next Superhero movie, if I love reading or watching Superheroes more than doing other things that I supposed to do, if I trust that the Superheroes are going to give me courage to face the world without fear, then I am worshiping Superheroes as my god. In conclusion, I don't think this is a ten years down the road discussion. In Religious studies circles some have been talking about these categories I have listed for several years already. Thank you very much. I love the show, but I have better things to worship, which is not to say that others do not.
I didn’t do near the Justice that the Federalist: Inside America's Largest Religious Revival You Know Nothing About did with regard to Athletica. You can apply similar ideas to other areas.
But please tell me where I may have done better, without going any longer since this was a YouTube video response.
"definitely not in the same realm as Religion" Hosts seemed to recognize DC heroes are related to Greek Mythology, and that these movies may help us morally or supportively. But their conclusion sounded more that they are not religious nor would they replace religion in our society.
My Comments:
There is a larger discussion to be had here. As one who studies Religion in America for a living. I feel the need to way in, especially with your simplistic notions of religion. Religion can be defined in several different ways. Hosts seem to define religion with some sort of altar or sacrificial system (Old Testament blood sacrifice rather than time and energy sacrifice). Others define religious devotion based on where your heart and mind are (what you fear, love, and trust). Yet others still define religion as a basis for Morality and place we turn for support in our world view (whatever brings you comfort and hope). This is why some of the most popular religions in America today are often not classified as Religion, because our ultimate civil definition of Religion is something that calls itself a religion.
But let me walk you through this. The most popular Religions in America today are Athletica, Science, Movies (in general), and (what most people think of as Religion) Biblical Religions. While Biblical Religions could be broken down into different Classifications like Judaism, Christianity (in various forms), Islam, and Mormonism, so Athletica, Science, and Movies can be broken down into various forms. Remember that Jedi is a recognized religious group in many states.
The worship and support of sports teams in most of the time just as time consuming and life altering as teaching children about Jesus or Muhammad. Science is generally one people struggle with, but while many people call themselves Atheists (there are some in this group that still believe in a higher power, just don't want to call it god) because they really worship facts, human theory, logic, reason, and science.
Similarly, Superhero worship can be viewed by people setting up shrines in their homes or office for their love of these characters that do help them through difficult times in their lives. Superhero mosque or synagogue would be a local Comic book store, movie theater, or local gathering place (even your show could be like many churches who have online services). Superhero/Movie hajj/pilgrimage would be traveling to Comic Cons across the country or the great one in San Diego. Similarly, Athletica has local stadiums of various sports. The great Hajj to the Super Bowl or World Series or even World Cup.
The most popular religions in America today are Athletica (Baseballism, Footballism, Soccerism, etc.), Science (Evolutionism, Civilism, etc.), Movies (Horror, Superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.), and Biblical Religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, etc). Some of these are monotheistic and some are polytheistic and some even claim to be anti-theistic. But they all call for clear devotion, require of people time and energy, and offer moral frameworks (whether good or bad) for people to lead their lives.
I tend to like the definition of Religion: whatever someone fears loves and trusts in above all things. This means that if I fear missing out on the next Superhero movie, if I love reading or watching Superheroes more than doing other things that I supposed to do, if I trust that the Superheroes are going to give me courage to face the world without fear, then I am worshiping Superheroes as my god. In conclusion, I don't think this is a ten years down the road discussion. In Religious studies circles some have been talking about these categories I have listed for several years already. Thank you very much. I love the show, but I have better things to worship, which is not to say that others do not.
I didn’t do near the Justice that the Federalist: Inside America's Largest Religious Revival You Know Nothing About did with regard to Athletica. You can apply similar ideas to other areas.
But please tell me where I may have done better, without going any longer since this was a YouTube video response.
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