The Body and the Mind


Many of the major religions today such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, are great sources of intellect, morality and guidance. However these religions are quickly becoming outdated in the modern world and with the younger generations. While still holding sway over the masses, they are less popular. Yet there may be simple reasons why this is the case.

In his book, Pop Cult, Till examines several reasons for the change from traditional religion to pop culture religious movements. One of the areas he investigated was that traditional religions neglect parts of human culture; in particular, matters of the body (p. 170- 171). Religions teach us how to act mindfully, and while many aspects of religion inspire emotion and emotive responses, the doctrine of traditional religion is to observe your behaviour and change it according to strict guidelines. These religions address the mind, but neglect the body. The two are usually inseparable but traditional religions force a ravine between the two and this is where many pop religious movements differ.

Emotions rule and the movement, whether addressing music, celebrities, etc. focuses on the body to shape the mind. Buddhism may be a less extreme example of this, as such a religion intertwines the body and the mind, for example through meditation (Cantwell, p. 66). Perhaps this is one of the reasons Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in Australia where Buddhism affiliation increased by 79% from 1996 to 2001 (Year Book Australia, 2003).

Humans need a way to express not only their thoughts and emotions, but the behaviours and impulses that drive such mindfulness. The modern world is about instant gratification and pleasing the soul by addressing the body's needs. We are visual creatures who crave community and sensation.This is how to appeal to the masses now, and why traditional religions may be outdated. 

Relax - Buddhist Meditation Music - Zen Garden - Kokin Gumi

(7 minute music video)

Referneces:

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2003). 1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2003. Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au?Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/9658217eba753c2cca256cae00053fa3?OpenDocument

Cantwell, C. 2009. Buddhism: The Basics. Florence, USA: Routledge, Ch. 2, The Dharma. 57-92. Ebook.

Till, R. 2010. Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music. London: Continuum International Publishing  Ch. 9, Do You Believe in Rock and Roll. Musical Cults of the Sacred Popular. 168-192. Ebook.

Relax - Buddhist Meditation Music - Zen Garden - Kokin Gumi (2008). Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR3dM-GlZK8

Religion as a Relationship

In his article, Jesus in American Culture, Harvey raises many interesting ideas about Jesus and his place in Christianity. Many cultures and groups, even those on opposite sides of ideological debates, have used Jesus in their different spiritual practices. Harvey gives the examples of slaves versus slave-holders and the Ku Klux Klan versus black churchmen.

The idea of Jesus (and his teachings) has been used by so many different groups to achieve various ends. So much that, to some of these people, Jesus may even be seen as separate from Christianity. From many perspectives, it is not the formal religion of Christianity that people desire. It is the relationship with a figure, such as Jesus, that creates spiritual significance. Much like we all have diverse relations with the people around us, Jesus means different things to different people. A woman can be seen as a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a teacher... The list goes on. People hold different relationships with her that satisfy their needs and desires. People develop relationships with Jesus that suit their own needs and desires. They may be searching for comfort, guidance, reassurance, belonging, etc. and find such aspects within Jesus and his teachings.

This is why Jesus is used as the figurehead for more than one movement. Building a relationship rather than adhering to strict rituals and laws plays a much greater role in not only coercion (as an extreme form of evangelism) but also in fulfilling one's own spiritual requirements. Is a person more likely to give charity because of a religious rule or because someone they love would do the same or has asked them to?

References:
Harvey, P. 2011. Jesus in American Culture. In D. Burkett (Ed) The Blackwell Companion to Jesus. Ebook. DOI: 10.1002/9781444327946.

Picture: http://pixabay.com/en/statue-jesus-fig-holy-christianity-43361/

The Ultimatum of Conquest

Elizondo (2005) explored the idea that popular symbols and devotion can hold sway over the religious masses. Yet these symbols may be born in different ways. In detail, Elizondo examined oppression and the ultimatum that comes with conquest. Either accept the religion of the invading force, or lose everything anyway. The Virgin of Guadalupe was the popular symbol that was the first clear step of the transition of the indigenous people of Mexico to Christianity.  

Elizondo states that "If Our Lady of Guadalupe had not appeared, the collective struggles of the Mexican people to find meaning in their chaotic existence would have created her". Left without a choice (the ultimatum of conquest), the people will find a way to incorporate their own identities and heritage into the new religion. Thus by developing a popular symbol, those forced to convert have a way of accepting the inevitable.

In an emotive tirade, Elizondo explains that for the victors in conquest, history is rigid, written and cemented in the past. It is simply a record. But for the defeated, in this example, the indigenous people of Mexico, history is lived every day. The conquest and development of the popular symbol, Guadalupe, is thus ingrained into their identity.

Are popular symbols and devotion different now? In the present day we see popular representations of religion everywhere; from music to fashion to art. For example Linde Ivimey's If Pain Persists art collection includes the subcategory of Saints and Sinners. This is one such modern day representation of Christianity. Stories and characters are taken from the bible and represented in such ways that are completely open to interpretation. Is such a thing any less religious than a people accepting a manifestation of the Virgin Mary as a cause for conversion? Is such acceptance any less religious than creating a cross that would have been a popular symbol at the time of its conception? 

Popular devotion can maintain a religion or can reinvigorate it. It gives the common person an opportunity to integrate their own identity into their spirituality. 

References
Elizondo, V. 2005. The Virgin of Guadalupe as Cultural Icon. In C. H. Badaracco, Ed., Quoting God. How Media Shape Ideas about Religion and Culture, 201-208. Waco, TX: Baylor Unversity Press. RL.

Picture: http://pixabay.com/en/cross-jesus-wood-church-christ-77999/

The Oscars: Playground Politics

The lifestyles and careers of certain actors and musicians can hold seemingly endless influence over many people's lives and emotions. And thus, these people may follow the events of their chosen idol's life through any form of media available. For instance, many people know that the Oscars occurred not long ago and for some, this is the epitome of talent. Successes and failures are often met with joy, outrage or sorrow of the viewers who come to believe they have a personal stake in the outcome. However the competition, and the term is used lightly, is created in a clever fashion. It is used to portray a common societal issue: the popular versus the unpopular. The media is the tool that facilitates this representation - the mediatization of playground politics. 

By popularity, this does not just mean best actor/actress. This is the campaign of popularity. Those nominees, the movies, that the viewers put their faith into. We are seeing high school repeated every year. There are always a few who strive for acceptance and adoration from their peers. These peers consist of two categories: the people who care and those that do not. The challenge is whether to coax or force their peers to admire them, to believe in their "popularity". The media does this superbly and seamlessly. 

We are bombarded with information regarding the Oscars, the Aria Awards, the Emmys, etc. every year. It does not even end there. The same occurs for political campaigns in even more worrying ways, as the focus is on the popularity of one candidate (or nominee) versus that of another. A war of the playground where policy may not even hold sway. We are left with little choice whether to pay attention or not. Even those who are able to ignore the events taking place, still know they are occurring. And this is where such award shows and political campaigns have their power. Through the media we hear what little we need to know. As long as some are speaking or gossiping about the nominees, the winners, the dresses or whatever else occurs at such events, then the rest of the population will know about it. And each year there is a chance that these people (the peers who fight for ambivalence or anonymity) will turn around and start paying attention to the loud and salient "popular" creatures behind them.

References:   

Picture: http://pixabay.com/en/empty-fun-grass-lonely-object-21737/