Deep Play

“The Sacred in Fantastic Fandom: Essays on the Intersection of Religion and Pop Culture”

From the publisher’s blurb: To the casual observer, similarities between fan communities and religious believers are difficult to find. Religion is traditional, institutional, and serious; whereas fandom is contemporary, individualistic, and fun. Can the robes of nuns and priests be compared to cosplay outfits of Jedi Knights and anime characters? Can travelling to fan conventions … Read more“The Sacred in Fantastic Fandom: Essays on the Intersection of Religion and Pop Culture”

“… a religion of atmosphere instead of faith …”

The first instance of Cultpunk at a generational scale occurred during the late 1960s and ’70s, when utopian counterculturalists – mostly on America’s west coast – began inventing new religions under the neo-Pagan banner. These pioneers notably included Frederick Adams (himself a very early outlier, having founded his goddess-oriented religion during the late 1950s) and … Read more“… a religion of atmosphere instead of faith …”

“… a goddamn druid or something …”

American journalist William Weston – the first foreign reporter to be allowed into the country of Ecotopia (formerly the American region encompassing Northern California, Oregon, and Washington) offers his first impression of Ecotopian religion: This got very exciting. Eyes shining, she leapt out of tub and ran out the door, dripping. I looked after her, … Read more“… a goddamn druid or something …”

“Psychotechnologies for the Age of Collapse”

Writing for Emerge, Euvie Ivanova argues that the present age of compounding crises may be met by new psychotechnologies: Collective Sapience must include and integrate the practices that: a. Restore wholeness of body and mind, a wholeness of selfb. Restore wholeness of self and other, a collective intimacyc. Restore wholeness of self and world, an … Read more“Psychotechnologies for the Age of Collapse”

Aretéanism

The Assemblage of Areté promotes: (…) a new, humanist religion focused on developing personal and communal areté (ahr-uh-tay), or human greatness. While we encourage skepticism of religions, we define the word ‘religion’ to mean a cohesive set of philosophies and rituals, requiring active participation; and Aretéanism is exactly that.  Unlike many religions however, Aretéanism specifically rejects … Read moreAretéanism

Cultpunky podcasts from the Open Div Summit (2021)

Worldviews and Ways of Life with Ann Taves. Rather than “religion” and “non-religion,” what does it mean to look at these phenomena as part of the broader category of worldviews and ways of life? Invented Religions with Carole Cusack, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Sydney. The Sunday Assembly with Josh Bullock, a … Read moreCultpunky podcasts from the Open Div Summit (2021)