But is it Really Religion?
Fabricating Authenticity - Jason W.M. Ellsworth
Savannah H. Finver [+]
University of Alabama
Savannah H. Finver is currently working on her Masters in Religion in Culture at the University of Alabama, expected to graduate in May 2020. Her research interests lie in how religion is discussed and defined within American law and politics, as well as how these debates influence and shape group identities in the United States.
Description
Furthering Martin’s analysis, Finver explores the effects of legal classifications of religion with regard to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Finver considers the question of “parody” vs. “real” religion to highlight the socio-political interests driving that distinction and argues that instead of participating in these authenticity debates, scholars should consider which groups are unquestioningly granted the classification of “religion” to understand what legal rights and protections come from such a designation.