(Episode 513): So Glad You Asked! What We’re Watching..

Transcript! Because accessibility is mandatory…

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Shownotes!

Because citations are political…

We’re SO GLAD YOU ASKED about what we like to watch, what media we show in our classes, and why media is important when studying religion. Today, our TV and movie obsessed killjoys will walk you through some of their favorite things to watch and what they like to show to their students. We hope you like this one nerds!

“Because I don’t know if any god is listening, but I am standing right here. And I am listening. Right beside you. I’m all ears. That’s my choice.”
— Agent Fox Mulder

The 101: Where we did the professor work…

So, what are the killjoys watching and what does media have to do with religion?

So, what ARE we watching?

On this episode, Professors Morgenstein-Fuerst are here to, once again, insist that religion appears in the media all around us. Both of our killjoys often use popular media in their classes to help explain the ways that tv and movies portray and discuss religion in everyday life.

So Some Key Points…

Media influences us and we are DEEPLY influenced by culture. So nerds, why would we leave religion out of the media that we consume? If you take a closer look, I bet religion is in more of your favorite flicks than you realize! Here are some takeaways from our killjoys….

  1. Movies and TV give us direct examples of both good and bad portrayals of religion, religiosity, and religious groups

  2. Movies and TV allows us to get closer to people and history that feels far away or familiar, and it provides a platform for people in marginalized religious groups to tell their stories in their own way

  3. Movies and TV can be a place where we reinvent and make accessible, religious texts and stories.

Because there are CULTS and ALIENS and interesting conversations about faith!

Because labor politics and some interesting dynamics of working for some Christians….

A great, mixed media film for learning about the Ramayana…and from Sita’s perspective!

A great British comedy about a guy, his life, and his Islam. IRMF loves the discussions about religion in this show!

A documentary that follows a Muslim community in the US that suspects that have been watched by the FBI for years.

A really unique and important portrayal of women in Iran.

A skateboarding vampire in Iran! Who preys on disrespectful men! What more do you need!!??

Because it actually has a lot of interesting things to say about the colonial history of Mexico and the enduring presence of indigenous culture. And it made Megan cry!