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Field Reviews

Field reviews are new essays specifically written for Intersections that analyze the latest research and ongoing debates within the main research topics. They identify gaps in current understanding and open up further lines of inquiry. When analyzing the state of the field, our reviewers also substantively draw on their expertise and research to advocate for future directions of work.

Essays

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The End of the World as We Know It Is Exactly What We Need

Climate change demands new ways of knowing the world, beyond our core secular, state-centric beliefs Introduction In Goodna, a suburb west of Brisbane, Australia, the world is ending. That may seem melodramatic, but for the residents of Enid Street, it is not as exaggerated as it sounds. Most of the houses in the neighborhood have […]

Franzisca Beeken, Erin K. Wilson
The Resurgence of Religion: Worldmaking in the Era of Desecularization

Introduction One hundred and thirty years ago in September 1893, Narendra Dutt — known by his monastic name Swami Vivekananda — visited Chicago, Illinois, to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions. In front of distinguished delegates and hundreds of audience members from around the world, Vivekananda discussed aspects of Hinduism, Indian religions, and reflections on […]

Neilesh Bose
From Online Rituals to Digital Afterlife

An overview of the study of digital religion Introduction Hoping to meditate? Find an app. Seeking spiritual guidance? Message a social media faith influencer. Need to confess your sins? Visit a priest robot and ask for salvation or talk to artificial intelligence (AI) Jesus. Digital religion can mean various things to diverse believers of different […]

Johanna Sumiala

Field Reviews

The End of the World as We Know It Is Exactly What We Need

The Resurgence of Religion: Worldmaking in the Era of Desecularization

From Online Rituals to Digital Afterlife