[Truncated abstract] This thesis explores the ways in which 'the secular' is represented in contemporary Australian participatory art, screen, and print cultures. Secularisms are currently the subject of analysis in a broad range of disciplines within the humanities, and this thesis intervenes upon the field by focusing on the cultural politics of representations of embodied, spatialized secularisms. The secular is commonly defined in opposition to the 'religious,' and can also be extrapolated to the division of public and private spaces. Thus, by considering the occlusions and violences inherent in the ways bodies negotiate and are constructed through space, this thesis argues for the fluidity and porosity of these oppositions. By drawing from Janet Jakobsen and Ann Pellegrini's notion of secularisms, understood as specific, situated narratives of the secular, as well as Talal Asad's and William E. Connolly's conceptions of the secular, this thesis identifies 'neutrality' and 'spirituality' as two key narratives of the secular around which questions of language, embodiment, affect, and subjectivity are set in motion. Here, a regime of representation that constructs 'religious' subjects as outsiders to an imagined Australian national identity is critiqued and reconsidered in terms of anxieties about remembering and living with difference and loss. Rather than defining 'the secular,' this thesis seeks to maintain focus on the context and contingencies of enunciation. Thus, firstly the conflation of secularism with 'neutrality' and 'objectivity' is explored through a discussion of 'defining' secularisms, alongside critique of representations of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). By identifying the ways in which this 'everyday' text signals exclusions through the privileging of British Protestant Christianity in its contents, colonial history and usage, I consider how 'neutrality' is made contextually and contingently. ... . Here, secular mourning is a suggestive concept that foregrounds 'affective economies' of loss, grief, and mourning alongside openness to the ways in which identity is made and lived relationally, and differently. Given that the representations of Australian secularisms I identify are made by locating 'the religious' elsewhere, this thesis reflects upon this process by including a contingent comparative study of representations of Canadian secularisms. Participatory art including the Secular Confession Booth (2007) in Toronto and The Booth (2008) in Perth, news media debates about secularism in Ontario and

Thesis (doctoral)--Frankfurt am Main, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-281).

Focusing on the Tsachila, Amerindians of western Ecuador, this thesis examines how competing "common knowledge" accounts of the afterlife (conventional Tsachi, Catholic, and Protestant) are related to experiences of encounters with ghosts. Inspired by conversation analysis it advocates the study of these encounters through close attention to how accounts of them are constructed in conversation, from which they emerge as inherently disruptive and resistant to any definitive interpretation. From this starting point a descriptive account is given of the ways in which these anomalous experiences form the background to everyday life among the Tsachila. Experiential associations are identified linking ghosts with the circadian patterns of sound, light and sociality. Next the thesis examines and compares a selection of myths depicting the dead and animals and it is shown that the boundaries between myth and everyday life and between the living and the dead are uncertain and subject to revision in the light of experience. They cannot be taken for granted but must be constantly reinforced. An example of such reinforcement is provided by the Tsachi celebration of the Catholic Day of the Dead, and it is shown how this intersects with and is inflected by Tsachi attitudes to the dead and their disposal. In the final chapter a selection of accounts of personal encounters with ghosts is examined to reveal ways in which the common knowledge previously discussed is shaped, deployed and contested in the context of these accounts. It is suggested, in conclusion, that personal experience of this kind cannot be treated as simply a cultural expression, but that it exerts a motivating and disruptive force on thought and action.

This study is an inquiry into discourses which influence gay people's lives. Foucault's ideas regarding knowledge, power, discipline, discourse and sexuality form the epistemological background enabling a social constructivist-deconstructive analysis of these concepts in relation to the problem of homosexuality. The theological origins of influential discourses form the focus of one chapter. Additional discursive fields - such as psychology, education, the military and legislature - are also investigated. Besides the research initiator, three other participants shared their experiences of being gay in a conservative religious context. The narrative analysis spawned five themes of discourse ranging from homophobic discourses - which invite oppression into silence - through reverse-discourse, to those discourses which encourage free expression of gayness. The study seems to support a Foucauldian view that there are various influential power-relations which contest for the right to define human sexuality. Judging from the study, homosexuals do not appear to be powerless or completely silenced at all. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / MTH - SPEC PAST THERAPY

A presente pesquisa tem por objetivo demonstrar e discutir a relevância da religião como um elemento cultural no qual está fundamentada a sociedade pluralista ocidental e pós-moderna e, consequentemente, o direito, em contraponto a recentes tendências antidemocráticas que propugnam uma retirada da religião da arena pública, em razão de uma suposta superação de sua cosmovisão como elemento constitutivo e orientador dessa mesma sociedade. É destacada a influência da religião no surgimento da democracia moderna, como fonte de elementos prépolíticos do Estado constitucional, como também é pontuado o diálogo entre fé e razão e a possibilidade de relação entre religião e direito mediada pela linguagem dos direitos humanos. Defende o autor que a visão religiosa de mundo pode contribuir para a interpretação de enunciados normativos constitucionais que expressam valores, e as confissões religiosas aparecem como veículos do discurso religioso no espaço público e pluralista. O autor elege o procedimento de controle de constitucionalidade abstrato como singular momento em que o discurso religioso pode ingressar legitimamente na atividade democrática de interpretação e concretização constitucional. A figura do amicus curiae é rapidamente estudada, apontando-se suas características e modo de atuação perante o Supremo Tribunal Federal, ressaltando-se o aspecto procedimental da atuação das confissões religiosas para o aprimoramento da democracia / This research aims to demonstrate and discuss the relevance of religion as a cultural element which is based on a pluralistic post-modern western society, and hence the right, in counterpoint to recent anti-democratic tendencies which advocate the withdrawal of the religion of the public arena, because of an alleged breakdown of its worldview as a constituent element of this society. It is highlighted the influence of the religion in the emergence of modern democracy as a source of political elements of the pre-constitutional state, it is also punctuated the dialogue between faith and reason and the possibility of relationship between religion and law mediated by the language of human rights. The author argues that the religious vision of the world can contribute to the interpretation of normative statements that express constitutional values, so religious denominations appear as vehicles of religious discourse in public space and pluralistic. The author chooses the procedure for judicial review as an abstract singular moment when the religious discourse can legitimately get into the democratic constitutional interpretation and implementation activity. The figure of the amicus curiae is quickly investigated, pointing to their characteristics and performance before the Supreme Court, pointing to the procedural aspects of the performance of religious faiths for the betterment of democracy

O estudo da religiosidade e da religião na festa é fundamental para a compreensão do mito, rito e os símbolos inseridos na devoção e na promessa ao santo, tendo como inspiração pontual o foco dos rituais, especialmente o rito processional, ou seja, o itinerante que ainda perpassa o século XXI, mesmo diante de tanta dessacralização. O propósito desta pesquisa é refletir no ritual itinerante, diferentes expressões como gestos, silêncio, vestimentas caracterizadas, objetos, bandeiras e sons que se encontram movimentando as relações de proximidade entre o romeiro (devoto e/ou curioso) e o santo. Para tornar esta reflexão fundamentada, decidimos partir de uma pesquisa de campo, durante cinco dias, junto aos frequentadores, devotos promesseiros, tentando coletar informações livres e espontâneas, agregando-a ao material bibliográfico que trata do mito, rito e símbolos utilizados pelo caminheiro na procissão de Santa Luzia. O nosso objetivo é apontar as diversas expressões de religiosidade na festa da Santa Padroeira; pontuar a importância dos ritos itinerantes como fenômeno religioso numa sociedade secularizada; refletir o rito ao ar livre a partir de uma relação próxima entre o fiel e o divino; entender o sincretismo e a noção de sagrado, usando a metodologia da observação-participante, na tentativa de garantir a identidade e práticas sociorreligiosas na festa de Santa Luzia em Mossoró (RN) / The study of religiosity and of religion in the feast is crucial to the understanding of myth,ritual and symbols inserted in devotion and promise to the saint, taking as inspiration the focus point of the rituals, especially the ritual procession, or even touring runs through the twenty-first century, even at such desecration. The purpose of this research is to reflect on the shifting ritual, different expressions such as gestures, silence, clothing characterized, objects, banners and sounds that are moving the close relations between the pilgrim (devout and/or curious) and the saint. To make this reflection based we decided to depart from a field research for five days, along with visitors, devotees promisers, trying to gather free and spontaneous information, adding to the bibliography, dealing with myth, ritual and symbols used by the walker in the procession of St. Lucy. The objective is to point the name of the various expressions of religious feast of the Patron Saint; to emphasize the importance of the rites as itinerant religious phenomenon in a secularizing society, reflecting the open air rite from a close relationship between the believer and the divine; to understand syncretism and the notion of sacred, using the methodology of participant observation on the feast of St. Lucy in Mossoró (RN)

A presente dissertação apresenta uma investigação da religião virtualizada com a oferta de bens simbólico-espirituais na internet, a partir da missão dos paulino, no site da Editora Paulus. O trabalho descreve a cibercultura com seu imaginário tecnológico, identificando como se reconstrói a religiosidade católica no ciberespaço; estuda as práticas de oferta de bens simbólicos e de conteúdos religiosos através das ferramentas tecnológicas on-line no site da Paulus; assim como, busca entender as lógicas, apelos e estratégias mercadológicas do oferecimento de produtos simbólico-espirituais nesse contexto do ciberespaço, em meio a uma religiosidade difusa e sincrética. Como procedimento metodológico, optou-se por abordagem qualitativa de recorte crítico, descritivo/interpretativo, além da revisão bibliográfica: observação estruturada e análise de site através da técnica da netnografia, complementada por uma hermenêutica transdisciplinar do seu conteúdo. Os resultados demonstram os elementos constitutivos da nova religiosidade na cibercultura interferindo no serviço de evangelização dessa Ordem religiosa católica. Esses resultados contribuem para estimular uma reflexão mais consciente sobre a religiosidade, bem como para fomentar o direito à religião esclarecida; além de subsidiar possíveis estratégias otimizadas para a oferta de bens simbólicos religiosos. / This Dissertation presents a research concerning the virtualized religion through the symbolical-religious goods supply in the Internet, departing from the Pauline Congregation Members Mission in Paulus Publish House site. This work describes cyberculture with its technological imaginary figment, identifying the way how one rebuilds the catholic religiosity in cyberspace, it this work studies symbolical goods supply practices, through on line technological tools in Paulus site; as well as it this Work searches understanding the marketing logicians, appeals and strategies concerning the symbolical spiritual products supply in this cyberspace context amidst a diffused and syncretistic religiosity. As a methodological proceeding, one has chosen a critical outline, descriptive interpretative qualitative approach, besides the bibliographical observation: site structured observation and analysis through ethnography technics, complemented with its contents transdisciplinary hermeneutics. Its this Work results show up the new religiosity constituent elements in cyberculture, interfering in this Catholic Religious Order evangelization service. These results contribute for stimulating a more conscious reflection regarding to religiosity, as well as for fomenting the right to a more clarified religion, besides subsiding optimized possible strategies for religious symbolical goods supply.

Such research aims to study the Feast Laundering dedicated to orisha Oxalá held at wide of Rosário, Penedo, Alagoas. The ritual takes place for about thirteen years, and was inspired by the traditional washing of Lord of Bonfim in Salvador, through the redefinition symbolic elements. During its realization are washed the churchyard of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Black and Alley of Laziness, spaces that represent the opposition between the sacred and the profane, which are taken by the festivities of the street carnival after washing. The ritual presents itself as a festival of purification, being the greatest expressions of religious syncretism in the city, and develops through an action that relates Catholicism and Candomblé honoring Oxalá, the orisha of creation, but also have a reference to African mythology. The goal is to develop a discussion about the meaning of the ritual washing of the Rosary from the ethnographic work, analyze the involvement of the participants and their performances, ritual symbols, its organizational and historical context, as a ritual that combines faith and celebration and that develops over time and space festive carnival. / A referida pesquisa tem como objeto de estudo a Festa da Lavagem dedicada ao orixá Oxalá realizada no Largo do Rosário, em Penedo, Alagoas. O ritual acontece há cerca de treze anos, e foi inspirado na tradicional lavagem do Senhor do Bonfim de Salvador, através da ressignificação de elementos simbólicos. Durante sua realização são lavados o Beco da Preguiça e o adro da Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, espaços que representam a oposição entre o sagrado e o profano e que são tomados pelos festejos do carnaval de rua após a lavagem. O ritual se apresenta enquanto uma festa de purificação, sendo uma das maiores expressões do sincretismo religioso na cidade, e se desenvolve através de uma ação que relaciona o catolicismo e o candomblé em homenagem a Oxalá, o orixá da criação, possuindo também uma referência à mitologia africana. O objetivo é desenvolver uma discussão acerca do significado ritual da lavagem do Rosário a partir do trabalho etnográfico, analisar o envolvimento dos participantes e suas performances, os símbolos rituais, sua forma de organização e contexto histórico, enquanto um ritual que agrega fé e festa e que se desenvolve durante o tempo e espaço festivos do carnaval.

This dissertation has the afoxés sergipanos as the object of study, we seek to understand it relation to the partisan politics. To do so, we anilyze the political context in wich the afoxé emerged, the relation between this context and the political leadership and how it is vinculated to the politicians, such as afoxés and candomblé s relation showing thru rituals that there is an inequality between the afoxés and the sergipe political partisan. The central question of this study consisted in discovering wich relations exist between the afoxés and the sergipe political partisan. Thus, the central teme of this work is the relation between the sergipeans afoxés and municipal and state partisan politics. I analyse the process of emergence and development of the afoxés in Sergipe among the political context of brazilian democratization and the political oportunities that were criated by this context enabling the emergence of the afoxés in this state. The research had as a teorical and methodological orientation the use of reference that combine assumptions of anthropology and theoris of social movements, as well as the use of ethnografy as the major factor for the development of this analysis providing the participant observation, enterviews and the aprehension of the existing rituals in the afoxés. The results demonstrate the favorable conditions for the emergence of the afoxés among the sergipean politics relations, namily, the political oportunities and the social relations network that make possible the needed articulation for this process. / Esta dissertação tem por objeto de estudo os afoxés sergipanos, sobretudo no que se refere às suas relações com a política partidária. Para tanto, analisamos o contexto político em que surgiram os afoxés, a relação desse contexto com as lideranças e os vínculos que elas possuem com os políticos, assim como as relações dos afoxés com o candomblé evidenciando através dos rituais a existência de uma desigualdade na relação entre os afoxés e a política partidária sergipana. A questão central do trabalho consistiu em analisar quais as relações existentes entre os afoxés e a política partidária sergipana. Assim, o tema central deste trabalho é a relação entre os afoxés sergipanos e a política partidária municipal e estadual. Analiso o processo de surgimento e desenvolvimento dos afoxés em Sergipe em meio ao contexto político de redemocratização brasileira e as oportunidades políticas que foram criadas por estes contextos. A pesquisa teve como orientação teórico-metodológica o uso de referências bibliográficas que combinam pressupostos da antropologia e das teorias dos movimentos sociais, assim como o uso da etnografia como estratégia principal para o desenvolvimento dessa análise. Os resultados demonstram as condições favoráveis para o surgimento dos afoxés em meio às relações políticas sergipanas, a saber, as oportunidades políticas e as redes de relações sociais que possibilitaram as articulações necessárias para este processo.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_jose_carlos.pdf: 1723480 bytes, checksum: e9a07259f3b968397cf26f22323d7e68 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-03 / The study of religiosity and of religion in the feast is crucial to the understanding of myth,ritual and symbols inserted in devotion and promise to the saint, taking as inspiration the focus point of the rituals, especially the ritual procession, or even touring runs through the twenty-first century, even at such desecration. The purpose of this research is to reflect on the shifting ritual, different expressions such as gestures, silence, clothing characterized, objects, banners and sounds that are moving the close relations between the pilgrim (devout and/or curious) and the saint. To make this reflection based we decided to depart from a field research for five days, along with visitors, devotees promisers, trying to gather free and spontaneous information, adding to the bibliography, dealing with myth, ritual and symbols used by the walker in the procession of St. Lucy. The objective is to point the name of the various expressions of religious feast of the Patron Saint; to emphasize the importance of the rites as itinerant religious phenomenon in a secularizing society, reflecting the open air rite from a close relationship between the believer and the divine; to understand syncretism and the notion of sacred, using the methodology of participant observation on the feast of St. Lucy in Mossoró (RN) / O estudo da religiosidade e da religião na festa é fundamental para a compreensão do mito, rito e os símbolos inseridos na devoção e na promessa ao santo, tendo como inspiração pontual o foco dos rituais, especialmente o rito processional, ou seja, o itinerante que ainda perpassa o século XXI, mesmo diante de tanta dessacralização. O propósito desta pesquisa é refletir no ritual itinerante, diferentes expressões como gestos, silêncio, vestimentas caracterizadas, objetos, bandeiras e sons que se encontram movimentando as relações de proximidade entre o romeiro (devoto e/ou curioso) e o santo. Para tornar esta reflexão fundamentada, decidimos partir de uma pesquisa de campo, durante cinco dias, junto aos frequentadores, devotos promesseiros, tentando coletar informações livres e espontâneas, agregando-a ao material bibliográfico que trata do mito, rito e símbolos utilizados pelo caminheiro na procissão de Santa Luzia. O nosso objetivo é apontar as diversas expressões de religiosidade na festa da Santa Padroeira; pontuar a importância dos ritos itinerantes como fenômeno religioso numa sociedade secularizada; refletir o rito ao ar livre a partir de uma relação próxima entre o fiel e o divino; entender o sincretismo e a noção de sagrado, usando a metodologia da observação-participante , na tentativa de garantir a identidade e práticas sociorreligiosas na festa de Santa Luzia em Mossoró (RN)