Religious Studies Discussion in Atlanta

Gary M. Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures at Emory University will discuss his new book, Sacred Matters:  Celebrity Worship, Sexual Ecstasies, the Living Dead, and Other Signs of Religious Life in the United States (The New Press, 2009) on Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 pm in Room 209/210 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

Dr. Laderman’s well-reviewed and provocative new book proposes that religious life in the U.S. cannot be confined to expressions of faith in the five great religions, but must be expanded to include quasi-religious phenomena as practiced by devotees of film, music, sports and celebrity. The book argues for a more dynamic understanding of spiritual fulfillment and examines how various manifestations of popular culture provide followers with avenues for answering life’s biggest questions.

Laderman’s new book, as well as several others are located in the Georgia State University Library’s collection. Check here for their locations, call numbers and checkout status.

A prolific author and commentator on culture and society, Dr. Laderman serves as chairperson of Emory’s Department of Religion, and is also editor of the new online religion magazine, ReligionDispatches.org

The author will conduct a book signing after the talk, and books will be available for sale.

Directions: http://www.uuca.org/newcomers/directions-to-uuca

For more information on the event, contact Ann Levine, 404-248-1055 or alevinewv@comcast.net