Horror and Christianity in Film: Haunting or Holy?

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08/21/23 • 74 min

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity

Brace yourselves for a chilling journey as we traverse the shadowy realms of horror and Christianity in the latest season of Church Potluck. Picture this: you're plunged into a world where spine-tingling tension meets a quest for spiritual insight. Sounds like a thrilling ride, right? Buckle up as Clint Peters (creative writing), Curt Hersey (communication), Mike Bailey (political science), and Dale McConkey (sociology), serve up a tantalizing platter of frightful conversations and Christian Curiosity.
This episode is a rollercoaster ride through the eerie world of horror films, from the controversy they stir up to their undeniable magnetism. We unravel the Freudian theory of repression in horror, the medical horrors in The Exorcist, and the origin story of legendary director Wes Craven. On this ride, horror isn't just about jump scares and blood-curdling screams; it's an exploration of fear, the unknown, and our instinctive reactions.
The journey doesn't end there. We turn the spotlights to the '80s, an era that saw music and horror mesh in a way that sparked both dread and fascination. We explore the Christian themes subtly woven into horror films. As we wrap up, we take a step back to appreciate the global horror landscape, understanding how different cultures might perceive and express fear. So, sit tight and let's plunge into the terrifying essence of horror. Are you ready for some goosebumps?
(Description generated with AI, with some revisions.)

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Previous Episode

Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Faith

Season 2 of Church Potluck has officially begun! To kick off the new season, we are exploring the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence on religious faith. Join Christy Snider (history), Michael Papazian (philosophy), Michael Bailey (political science), and me (sociology) as we question the spiritual implications of AI in our lives. The title of this episode was generated by AI, and here is the unedited summary of the podcast, also generated by AI:
Ever wondered about the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and faith? Does the idea of machines with consciousness challenge your belief of what it means to be human? Brace yourself for an engaging conversation as we navigate this intriguing terrain on another episode of Church Potluck.
With Dr Christy Snyder, Dr Michael Papasian, and Dr Michael Bailey as our esteemed guests, we wrestle with Alan Turing's concept of AI and question the true intelligence of a computer. As we delve deeper, the philosophical implications of AI, its potential to learn, develop a personality, and even to be seen as a person, will force you to re-evaluate your understanding of AI. Will AI ever have rights? Can it be part of the religious context? We even take a daring leap into the world of policy decisions and the potential biases of AI.
Our discussion takes us from the very concept of AI and human consciousness to the role of AI in religion, public policy, and its potential impact on humanity. We discuss the ethical and moral implications of AI, the potential for AI to learn and develop its own personality, and even the possibility of AI having rights or being seen as a person. Through the lens of faith and religion, we attempt to uncover how AI is reshaping our notions of being human and our place in the world. A truly enlightening episode of Church Potluck awaits you.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Next Episode

Losing Our Religion: The Decline of Church Affiliation and the Rise of the "Nones"

Is America losing its religion? Statistics indicate yes, with a rapid decrease in church affiliation and a marked increase in people who don't identify with organized religion. This episode of Church Potluck features Curt Hersey (Communication), Michael Bailey (political science), and Michael Papazian (philosophy), who each help us explore the fall of religiosity, the rise of non-affiliation, and the evolution of religious identities.
Some topics we address in this episode:

What features of contemporary Christianity are turning people away from the Church?
Even with this recent decline, religious faith remains resilient in the U.S compared to other industrialized countries. Why? How?
How does faith get transmitted from generation to generation, and why are these traditional modes failing?

Join us for some food for thought and something to chew on!

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.