A popular belief system, here referred to as "Anunnaki Theory" suggests that the gods of ancient Mesopotamia were in fact extraterrestrial beings who genetically manipulated humanity for their own...Show moreA popular belief system, here referred to as "Anunnaki Theory" suggests that the gods of ancient Mesopotamia were in fact extraterrestrial beings who genetically manipulated humanity for their own ends. This paper examines two books which present this theory in different ways: "The 12th Planet" and "The Lost Book of Enki." and examines the different ways in which these inspire believers. This paper suggests the narratively-presented "Lost book of Enki" affords substantially more spiritual and creative reading than the pseudo-academic "12th Planet."Show less
Each individual has their own way of dealing with a stressful situation. Research into the concept of religious coping provides insight into how Catholics and Protestants use their religious...Show moreEach individual has their own way of dealing with a stressful situation. Research into the concept of religious coping provides insight into how Catholics and Protestants use their religious beliefs to deal with these types of situations. This thesis focuses on the use and efficacy of religious coping by Protestants and Catholics in the West experiencing a serious medical condition. This is an important topic because studying the relationship between religious coping and distress also shows what beliefs can be helpful or harmful during these situations. It also provides insight into the ways that these religious traditions influence the behavior of individuals whilst experiencing negative life events. The goal of this thesis is to identify the similarities and differences between the use of religious coping among Protestants and Catholics in the West experiencing a serious medical condition. In order to do this the thesis compares three studies on religious coping among Protestants and Catholics in the West. The results of this comparison suggest there are more similarities than differences in the use of religious coping between both groups. However, the efficacy of religious coping appears to differ between the groups. By looking at the core beliefs of the religious traditions this thesis offers possible explanations for these findings. This thesis revealed that the focus of Protestantism on faith as opposed to the Catholic focus on confession could be the reason why Protestants experience more benefits from religious coping in uncontrollable stressful situations. These findings should inspire future researchers to investigate the relations between religious coping and specific religious traditions.Show less
The Church of the SubGenius is one of many invented parody religions that have popped up around the turn of the century. These distinct religions, often with catchy and humorous names such as the...Show moreThe Church of the SubGenius is one of many invented parody religions that have popped up around the turn of the century. These distinct religions, often with catchy and humorous names such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or the United Church of Bacon, confuse people who expect religion to be primarily concerned with spirituality or communication with the divine. If not about those things, what are these religions about? Why are they created, and how have these religions gained such popularity and so many loyal followers who are willing to engage with their subject matter for decades? This thesis aims to answer these questions through an adaptation of theories of minimal counterintuitiveness (MCI) and bizarreness.Show less
This research explores Multiple Religious Belonging (MRB) in contemporary South Korea. It studies whether people express belongings to multiple religions in South Korea, from which religions these...Show moreThis research explores Multiple Religious Belonging (MRB) in contemporary South Korea. It studies whether people express belongings to multiple religions in South Korea, from which religions these belongings are drawn and in which combinations. Furthermore, it researches how self-identified religious affiliation relates to performed religious practices. Lastly, this thesis explores whether complex forms of belonging in the Korean context can be fruitfully studied through the Multiple Religious Belonging paradigm. This is done through a literature study as well as a survey which are both approached through approaches from the MRB paradigm.Show less
This thesis sets out to find an answer to the question 'How does the QAnon movement negotiate failed prophecy in order to ensure the survival of the movement?' In order to answer this question, the...Show moreThis thesis sets out to find an answer to the question 'How does the QAnon movement negotiate failed prophecy in order to ensure the survival of the movement?' In order to answer this question, the first chapter provides some context to the development of the QAnon movement and their prediction of an event known as 'the Storm'. It also illustrates that the QAnon movement is similar to open source religions and consists of a strong participatory culture. The second chapter creates a theoretical framework, largely borrowed from religious studies' investigations in failed prophecy, in order to classify the different responses of QAnon followers to the failure of the Storm. The third chapter delves into these responses and categorizes them into different types. After studying these different responses, this thesis predicts that QAnon will fall apart into the smaller conspiracy theories of which it consists. The thesis concludes that open source religions are likely to respond to the failure of their prophecies in similar ways as QAnon.Show less
This thesis seeks to address how Jewish communities were able to integrate into the civic framework that was provided by the Greek cities during Roman rule. It does so through a case-study of...Show moreThis thesis seeks to address how Jewish communities were able to integrate into the civic framework that was provided by the Greek cities during Roman rule. It does so through a case-study of literary and epigraphic evidence originating from the communities of Ephesos, Hierapolis, and Sardis, who all are located in the province of Asia. In conclusion, the Jews of Asia were able to negotiate with Roman authorities and participated to a certain extent within the Greek urban settlements while simultaneously accentuating their Jewish cultural heritage. More generally, these findings are consistent with what has been published on Jewish diaspora communities but differentiate by showing that the Jewish community did not live on the margins of society, but rather was well integrated within the civic framework of the Greek city.Show less
How (if, and if so, how, when, and why) did the vast complex of ancient Graeco-Roman religion, that had united and held together the ancient Mediterranean world, come to an end? I have attempted to...Show moreHow (if, and if so, how, when, and why) did the vast complex of ancient Graeco-Roman religion, that had united and held together the ancient Mediterranean world, come to an end? I have attempted to devise a reasoned roadmap to solving that issue, in conversation with recent scholarship and in doing so have strived to create a method and subset of themes that a scholar can use to study the end of a religion.Show less
