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'Chris Partridge argues that Western Society is permeated by a broad "occulture" by which he means a reservoir of ideas, beliefs, theories and practices to which new religions, unorthodox spiritualities, film and popular music all draw attention. This re-enchantment of the West should not be seen as a superficial secondary development in the shadow of Christianity. In many ways it is a religious phenomenom in its own right. Partridge's arguments in this regard are well put and I warmly welcome this timely book.' Mikhael Rothstein, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.--,
Product Description
As a book about emergent spirituality in the contemporary West, this books focuses on the nature, evolution and significance of new forms of religion and alternative spiritualities. Part One of the book provides the theoretical background and guides the reader through some of the principal debates. After an overview of the secularization thesis, which argues that the West is becoming increasingly disenchanted, the second chapter turns to the sociological analysis of new religions and alternative spiritualities. Particular attention is given to the ideas of the sociologist of religion Ernst Troeltsch, especially his enigmatic analysis of the emergence mystical religion, which presciently provides helpful insights into understanding the contemporary alternative religious milieu. Against sociologists such as Bryan Wilson and Steve Bruce, this and the subsequent chapter argues that, rather than being insignificant, new forms of spirituality are actually proving to be a significant part of Western re-enchantment. Chapter 3 constructs a general theory of the re-enchantment of the West.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Insightful look into pop culture/occulture
20 Nov 2006
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Christopher Partridge has provided us with an glimpse into what he calls the occulture, i.e., the "non-Christian religo-cultural milieu...that both resources and is resourced by popular culture."
Arguing against the idea of ever increasing secularisation in the West, he sets forth a well argued and well documented thesis that the West is increasingly turning away from traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs/understandings and toward non-Christian spiritualities such as New Age, Wicca, etc. He cites the significant change how the occult as well as Christianity is perceived and portrayed in contemporary popular culture.
For example, he documents the change regarding the efficacy and power of Christian symbols, such as a cross or holy water, in dealing with cinematic demons like vampires. In horror films of 30 years ago Dracula was terrified and literally pained to be in the presence of a crucifix. Now it is common for films in the genre to display not only the ineffectiveness of such Christian symbols as a means of combating supernatural evil, but to have the fiend express contempt for them as well. And concurrent with this devaulation of things Christian is an increase in alternative ways to dispatch and or control the demon. Thus the message is sent that the supernatural is real, Christianity is weak, lacking, or ineffectual legend created by bunch of intolerant power hungry church leaders; and there are new and improved ways and means of dealing with the things that go bump in the night.
But the author goes far beyond merely looking at horror films and builds a solid case that, far from being on the verge of tossing all in favour of secularisation, the West is increasingly turning to non-Christian spiritual paths and is becoming "re-enchanted" with the supernatural. And that this re-enchantment both feeds and is fed by popular culture.
I recommended this book to all pastors as well as to all who would seek to understand the "spiritualities" now sweeping through popular culture.
Arguing against the idea of ever increasing secularisation in the West, he sets forth a well argued and well documented thesis that the West is increasingly turning away from traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs/understandings and toward non-Christian spiritualities such as New Age, Wicca, etc. He cites the significant change how the occult as well as Christianity is perceived and portrayed in contemporary popular culture.
For example, he documents the change regarding the efficacy and power of Christian symbols, such as a cross or holy water, in dealing with cinematic demons like vampires. In horror films of 30 years ago Dracula was terrified and literally pained to be in the presence of a crucifix. Now it is common for films in the genre to display not only the ineffectiveness of such Christian symbols as a means of combating supernatural evil, but to have the fiend express contempt for them as well. And concurrent with this devaulation of things Christian is an increase in alternative ways to dispatch and or control the demon. Thus the message is sent that the supernatural is real, Christianity is weak, lacking, or ineffectual legend created by bunch of intolerant power hungry church leaders; and there are new and improved ways and means of dealing with the things that go bump in the night.
But the author goes far beyond merely looking at horror films and builds a solid case that, far from being on the verge of tossing all in favour of secularisation, the West is increasingly turning to non-Christian spiritual paths and is becoming "re-enchanted" with the supernatural. And that this re-enchantment both feeds and is fed by popular culture.
I recommended this book to all pastors as well as to all who would seek to understand the "spiritualities" now sweeping through popular culture.
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