“Why Some Black Women Are Turning to Witchcraft”
VICE News reports on the increasing revival of Afro-Caribbean religions such as Voodoo and Lucumi as well as New Age witchcraft among Black American women.
Ritual
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)
“Why We Need Ethical Cults”
Jamie Wheal argues for the “ethical cult” as distinct from “traditional cults” such as institutionalized religions and “culty cults” a la the Peoples Temple, Nxivm, et al. More detail on the same theme here:
“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
I recorded this unusual and imaginative documentary on VHS tape back when it first screened, and re-watched it several times. During the first two-thirds, comedienne and presenter Ruby Wax lampoons various California New Age therapies and ostensibly mystical practices (or at least provides color commentary as they lampoon themselves) and it’s fun and funny to … Read more“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
VICE News reports on the Phoenix Goddess Temple
See this entry by the World Religions and Spirituality Project for more on the Phoenix Goddess Temple: At the end of the day, the case against the Temple turned on several issues: whether Elise was a “spiritual leader” or a “brothel madam,” whether the Temple “goddesses” were “priestesses” or “prostitutes,” whether “orgasm” was part of … Read moreVICE News reports on the Phoenix Goddess Temple
Elevationism and the International Church of Cannabis
Denver, Colorado’s International Church of Cannabis promotes the new religion of Elevationism, on the premise that: (…) an individual’s spiritual journey, and search for meaning, is one of self-discovery that can be accelerated and deepened with ritual and mindful cannabis use. We use the sacred flower to reveal the best version of self, discover a … Read moreElevationism and the International Church of Cannabis
The Church of the Electric God (Lost Horizon Night Market, NYC, 2022)
Like most, if not all of the diverse experiences at Shadow Traffic’s Lost Horizon Night Market, the Church of the Electric God was a one-night-only affair. Worshippers who entered the ephemeral box-truck Church (on a strictly individual basis) communed with a sonic deity via electronic drone music.
“I’m Starting a Religion” (MTV’s “True Life”, 2015)
This episode of MTV’s True Life series documents the efforts of two quirky 20-somethings – Seattle’s Unicole Unicron and Chicago’s Christopher Karl Allman – as they strive to establish their new religions (Unicultism and The People of Ieya, respectively). The documentary is listed as (S2015 E18) and originally screened in 2015, which should be plenty … Read more“I’m Starting a Religion” (MTV’s “True Life”, 2015)
“A religion you can dance to”: Deborah Kelly’s Creation project
Australian artist Deborah Kelly describes Creation, a “queer science fiction climate change religion” and an experiment in collaboratively creating religion as a work of art: CREATION is a new religion, manifesting in spectacle and intimacy. A faith, a gathering of intention and purpose with which to face an era when paid opinion trumps environmental evidence. … Read more“A religion you can dance to”: Deborah Kelly’s Creation project
