Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion in the Media

Transcription

1 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion in the Media First Edition Edited by Liam D. Murphy California State University Sacramento

2 Bassim Hamadeh, Publisher Michael Simpson, Vice President of Acquisitions Christopher Foster, Vice President of Marketing Jessica Knott, Managing Editor Stephen Milano, Creative Director Kevin Fahey, Cognella Marketing Program Manager Melissa Accornero, Acquisitions Editor Sharon Hermann, Project Editor Erin Escobar, Licensing Associate Copyright 2012 by University Readers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information retrieval system without the written permission of University Readers, Inc. First published in the United States of America in 2012 by University Readers, Inc. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe Printed in the United States of America ISBN:

3 Contents Introduction 1 A Note to Instructors 3 Section I: Transitions in US Religion 5 Section I Introduction 7 Article 1: Is Confl ict Between God and Science Hardwired? 9 Robin Lloyd Article 2: Survey: Americans Switch Faiths Often 13 David Duprey Article 3: Survey: Teens Serious About Religion 17 Article 4: Who Would Jesus Smack Down? 19 Molly Worthen Article 5: Are There Dangers in Being Spiritual but Not Religious? 25 John Blake Article 6: Northern Kentucky Lands Noah s Ark Park 29 Discussion Questions 31 Further Readings 31

4 Section II: Witchcraft in the Modern World 33 Section II Introduction 35 Article 7: Mob Kills Witchcraft Couple 37 Bongani Hans Article 8: African Children Denounced as Witches by Christian Pastors 39 Katharine Houreld Article 9: Mobs Lynch Witches in Haiti for Spreading Cholera Epidemic 43 The Sydney Morning Herald Article 10: Romania s Witches Curse Income Tax Ruling 45 Alison Mutler Article 11: Is Harry Potter in Cahoots with Hell? 47 Drew Zahn Article 12: Pagans Are on the March: But Are They Harmless Eccentrics or a Dangerous Cult? 49 Zoe Brennan Article 13: O Donnell: No Witchcraft Since High School 53 Kimberly Schwandt Discussion Questions 55 Further Readings 55 Section III: Zombies, Vampires, and Demons 57 Section III Introduction 59 Article 14: Vampire Craze Invades Boston High Schools 63 Keeja Paisley Article 15: Inside Zombie Brains: Sci-Fi Teaches Science 65 Elizabeth Landau Article 16: Superstition Rules: Death, Murder, and Vampire Hunters 69 Katherine Ramsland

5 Article 17: Cancellation of Dracula Park Hailed as Victory by Romanian Church 71 Jonathan Luxmoore Article 18: Catholic Bishops: More Exorcists Needed 73 Rachel Zoll Discussion Questions 75 Further Readings 75 Section IV: Supernatural Longings 77 Section IV Introduction 79 Article 19: Latter-Day Pilgrims Find Peace at an Ancient Shrine 81 Allan Cowell Article 20: Believers Flock to Virgin Mary Statue Crying Red Tears 85 Rich Pedroncelli Article 21: Vatican Denounces Group s Claim of Seeing the Virgin Mary More Than 40,000 Times as Work of the Devil 87 Daily Mail Reporter Article 22: Santeria Surges in Venezuela 89 Discussion Questions 91 Further Readings 92 Section V: Dangerous Others 93 Section V Introduction 95 Article 23: Rap and Metal on Planet Islam 97 James M. Dorsey

6 Article 24: Indian Doc Focuses on Hindu Cannibal Sect 101 Article 25: New Head of Voodoo Brings on the Charm 103 Marc Lacey Article 26: Voodoo Faith Could Hinder Haiti s Recovery 107 Ruth Gledhill Discussion Questions 109 Further Readings 109 Section VI: Controversial Currents 111 Section VI Introduction 113 Article 27: Woman Explains Choice To Be Catholic Priest 117 Karen Springen Article 28: European Unity Tested over Crucifi xes in Classroom 121 Victor L. Simpson Article 29: Christians, Atheists Battle on London Buses 125 Akira Suemori Article 30: Vatican Offi cial: Atheist s Theories Absurd 127 Article 31: Televangelist Warns of Evolution Doomsday 129 Information Liberation Article 32: Westboro Baptist Church Plans Protest at Arizona Shooting Funerals 131 Tom Diemer Article 33: Pastor Terry Jones Changes His Mind, Says Koran Burning May Still Happen 133 David Gibson

7 Article 34: Family Spat Divides Televangelism Empire 137 Chris Carlson Article 35: Kids Hope to Attend Party But Parents Say World s Going to End 139 Ashley Parker Discussion Questions 141 Further Readings 141