June 21-25, 2000
Birmingham, UK
Children, Religion and Mass Culture

Religious expression, especially in the United States has been changed by the consumer culture we find ourselves living in. Although this is being explored and is accepted among the adult population there is wide room for exploration of how this change is expressed to children and the effect that it is having on a generation raised in a world of mass culture domination. This session is looking for papers that explore issues of mass culture (media, collectibles, fashion) that have been appropriated by religious organizations as a means to evangelize and educate children. Subjects might include television's Veggie Tales, the history of religious television programming specifically for children, the rock concert atmosphere and Christian Rock, Comic Books and the Power Team, material culture and religious expression, WWJD products. Other subjects might include historical figures that have used mass culture (media and spectacle) to promote their message and ministry.

Interested participants should submit a 150-word abstract of your paper by January 31, 2000 to the session organizer: