Why I Still Love Disney, or, Imagineering Religion

Disney World Main Street at Night

  By S. Brent Plate This is the sign that hangs over the entrance to Disneyland, less than an hour from where I grew up in Southern California. I realize some people save up for years to drive the kids in the family truckster to Orlando or Anaheim to see such a place, but I […]

Sanctifying the Senses: Thoughts on Beyoncé as Liberative Praxis

By Alexis S. Wells If accepting imperfections and eschewing insecurities are a female rite of passage, then in her self-titled visual album, Beyoncé establishes herself as one of pop culture’s preeminent guides. Since its surprise release through iTunes, the collection of fourteen songs and seventeen videos has inspired a firestorm of conversation on topics ranging […]

Why Do Americans Seem So Religious?

By E. Brooks Holifield Many Western Europeans think of Americans as hopelessly, bafflingly, and dangerously religious. Many Americans think of Western Europeans as distressingly, inexplicably, and unrelentingly secular. In 2009, the German sociologist Hans Joas observed that “it is widely accepted that the United States is far more religious than practically any comparable European state.” […]

Sacred Matters.

  By Louis A. Ruprecht Jr.  I was delighted when I first heard of the possibility that this important new online journal was to be created. I was even more delighted when asked to participate in its creation, formation, and custodial care. I anticipate grand things for Sacred Matters. I am grateful to Gary Laderman for […]

Sacred Social Media

  The sacred is social. That means Sacred Matters wants to hear from our readers through social media. As with our letters, we want your feedback on our stories. We want to know what you think is sacred. We want to know why you think the sacred matters. Follow our Twitter feed @sacredmatters for a […]

Letters Not Comments: Slowing Down the Conversation

What is more controversial than religion? What is more volatile than differences of opinion over the status and role and truth of religion? What causes more flare ups and flame outs than online commenting, usually anonymous, on the topic of religion? A recent piece by CNN.com religion writer John Blake, “Holy Trollers: How to Argue about […]

Surf’s Up at the American Academy of Religion!

Are you going to the American Academy of Religion meeting this November? Are you there right now? Are you bummed about being in Baltimore in the autumnal chill? We have something to bring a little sunshine to your weekend. Find one of the Sacred Matters editors wandering the halls of the meeting and we will […]