Examples of the Intersection of Religion in Popular Culture

Music: “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince

The hit song Let’s Go Crazy off of Princes’ 1984 album, Purple Rain is a well-known song that contain Christianity influences and provides a positive message for the audience. Prince used his own personal life experiences as inspiration for this song, his intention being to remind everyone to enjoy life while they can. This pop classic not only uses religious influences but also uses some cultural aspects of the Christian religion for his song and video production. Many fans have a strong emotional and/or experience when listening to the song, these feelings affect fans just strongly as the first time hearing it. Princes’ personality, work, and style of music made him into a symbol in pop culture that has influenced a wide variety of people.

Prince became a Jehovah’s Witness in 2001

●        “Prince and the Revolution – Let’s Go Crazy.” Genius. July 18, 1984. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://genius.com/Prince-and-the-revolution-lets-go-crazy-lyrics.

Sports:

●        Winston, Kimberly. “God, Religion and the Olympic Games.” National Catholic Reporter. August 05, 2016. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/god-religion-olympic-games.

●        Lisee, Chris. “Religion Has Played Role at Olympics since Days of Ancient Greece.” Episcopal News Service. July 26, 2012. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2012/07/26/religion-has-played-role-at-olympics-since-days-of-ancient-greece/.

Movies:

●        Choi, Fred. “Dogma.” The Tech – Online Edition. Accessed April 10, 2019. http://tech.mit.edu/V119/N60/Dogma.60a.html.

●        Greydanus, Steven D. “Dogma in Dogma: A Theological Guide | Decent Films – SDG Reviews.” Decent Films. Accessed April 10, 2019. http://decentfilms.com/articles/dogma-article.

●        Adams, Sam, and Sam Adams. “Sausage Party Is a Shockingly Sophisticated Commentary on Organized Religion.” Slate Magazine. August 16, 2016. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://slate.com/culture/2016/08/sausage-party-is-a-shockingly-sophisticated-commentary-on-organized-religion.html.

●        “Film & Philosophy: The Ambiguous Politics Of Dionysian Pessimism In SAUSAGE PARTY.” Film Inquiry. November 02, 2018. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://www.filminquiry.com/dionysian-pessimism-sausage-party/.

●        Lovaas, Taylor, Zaida Diaz, and Donna Gibson. “Taylor Lovaas.” Sway’s Universe. August 09, 2016. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://swaysuniverse.com/seth-rogen-talks-sausage-party-the-no-so-religious-beliefs-behind-it/.

●        “AVATAR.” Christian Research Institute. Accessed April 10, 2019. https://www.equip.org/article/avatar/.