A fresh and fascinating look at some of the ways we "play" with religion.
Maybe you have seen the board games. Christianity has Vatican: The Board Game; Divinity (the only game to have the imprimatur of the Catholic Church); Journeys of Paul, and Armor of God. Islam and Judaism have Race to the Kabah, Mecca to Medina, Exodus, and Kosherland. Even Buddhism has Karma Chakra and BuddhaWheel. And then there are the dolls---plush and plastic talking Bible dolls, Christian action figures, and talking Muslim dolls that teach Arabic.
What does all of this say about our insatiable need for fun? Have we humans blended fun with spirituality for good or for ill?
Written with verve and a healthy dollop of humor, Toying with God examines the sometimes zany world of religious games and dolls, from pre-history to today. Packed with examples that propel the narrative (and add immeasurably to readers' knowledge of religious trivia), this is a must-read book for anyone interested in the intersection of popular culture and spirituality.
Selling Points
- A very lively---and eye-opening---book, written with verve and a healthy dollop of humor.
- Packed with examples that propel the narrative (and add immeasurably to readers' knowledge of religious trivia).
- Calls into question our insatiable need for "fun" and wonders at our efforts to blend fun with spirituality.
Level: General/Undergraduate
Courses
- World Religions
- Special Studies in Religion
- Sociology of Religion
- Religion and Society
- Popular Culture
- Religion & Popular Culture
Bado-Fralick and Norris present an analysis of religious games and toys which notes their connection to the commodification of religion in modern western society, and the efforts by religions to market their own values in competition with those of consumer culture. There is really nothing like this very thoroughly researched work, which combines research on popular culture/material culture with study of games/toys and religion.
---- John Lyden, Professor of Religion, Dana College, and Author of Film as Religion: Myths, Morals, and Rituals
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
1. Games of the Gods
2. Playing and Praying in the Valley of the Dolls
3. The Super-Marketing of Religion
4. Are We Having Fun Yet?
5. Ritualized Subversion
6. There is No Hell in Bibleland