Speculative Television and the Doing and Undoing of Religion
Proposal review
Abstract
This book explores the concept that, as participation in traditional religion declines, the complex and fantastical worlds of speculative television have become the place where theological questions and issues are negotiated, understood, and formed.
From bodies, robots, and souls to purgatories and post-apocalyptic scenarios and new forms of digital scripture, the shows examined – from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Westworld – invite their viewers and fans to engage with and imagine concepts traditionally reserved for religious spaces. Informed by recent trends in both fan studies and religious studies, and with an emphasis on practice as well as belief, the thematically focused narrative posits that it is through the intersections of these shows that we find the reframing and rethinking of religious ideas.
This truly interdisciplinary work will resonate with scholars and upper-level students in the areas of religion, television studies, popular culture, fan studies, media studies, and philosophy.
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.
Keywords
Participatory culture;Religion;Vampires;Television;Science Fiction;sci fi;Fantasy;Zombies;Battlestar Galactica;Cyborgs;True Blood;Monsters;Divine Absence;Posthuman;DVD Commentary;God;Walking Dead;Speculative television;Agnostic;Christianity;White Walkers;religion television;Star Trek;theology television;Fanfiction;Fan Communities;Firefly;Cadaver Tombs;Doctor Who;Tv EpisodeDOI
10.4324/9781003227045ISBN
9781032123615, 9781000648287, 9781032129631, 9781003227045, 9781000648263Publisher
Taylor & FrancisPublisher website
https://taylorandfrancis.com/Publication date and place
2023Grantor
Imprint
RoutledgeSeries
Routledge Advances in Television Studies,Classification
Media studies: TV and society
Religion: general
Popular culture
The Arts