What are the religious impulses in the 1976 film Rocky, and how can they work to shape one's social identity? Do the films Alien and Aliens signify the reemergence of the earth goddess as a vital cultural power? What female archetypes, borne out of male desire, inform the experience of women in Nine and a Half Weeks?These are among the several comp

What are the religious impulses in the 1976 film "Rocky," and how can they work to shape one's social identity? Do the films "Alien" and "Aliens" signify the reemergence of the earth goddess as a vital cultural power? What female archetypes, borne out of male desire, inform the experience of women in "Nine and a Half Weeks"?These are among the several compelling questions the authors of this volume consider as they explore the way popular American film relates to religion. Oddly, religion and film--two pervasive elements of American culture--have seldom been studied in connection with each other. In this first systematic exploration, the authors look beyond surface religious themes and imagery in film, discovering a deeper, implicit presence of religion. They employ theological, mythological, and social and political criticism to analyze the influence of religion, in all its rich variety and diversity, on popular film. Perhaps more importantly, they consider how the medium of film has helped influence and shape American religious culture, secular or otherwise.More than a random collection of essays, this volume brings to the study of religion and film a carefully constructed analytic framework that advances our understanding of both. "Screening the Sacred" provides fresh and welcome insight to film criticism; it also holds far-reaching relevance for the study of religion. Progressive in its approach, instructive in its analyses, this book is written for students, scholars, and other readers interested in religion, popular film, and the impact of each on American culture.

This is the third "Seriously? You're Gonna Name Your Kid?" book. Names, monikers, shout-outs, whosits, whatsisnames and more. Once more, another unabashed examination of the relationship between open inquiry and nominative speculation. And not just the names have been changed to protect the innocent. This is just another humorous book of outrageous names parents should never give their kids, and the comical reactions one might have to them. Written as a one-sided dialogue rhetorically questioning the over 300 bizarre names proposed by fictitious parents for their offspring. Amphibolies, puns, double entendres and bon mots galore. You'll groan, laugh, smirk, chortle, titter, guffaw and wonder: How'd you get that name? Includes reader submissions. Now go out there and call people names Or get called one yourself This book covers topics including humorous jokes, children's names, baby naming, comedy nicknames, parenting, maternity, paternity, parenthood and so much more

A humor book of outrageous names parents should never give their kids, and the comical reactions one might have to them. Written as a one-sided dialogue rhetorically questioning the over 300 bizarre names proposed by fictitious parents for their offspring. Puns, double entendres and bon mots galore. You'll groan, laugh, smirk, chortle, titter, guffaw and wonder: How'd you get that name?

It's the last day of school, and Joey Alligator's curiosity gets the best of him. Although he knows he shouldn't leave the school grounds, his desire to see the two new firetrucks parked nearby, was too much for him to handle. He wanders away, and before you know it, he's lost in a big city. Meanwhile, everybody back at the school, including his mother, were worried beyond belief. As the day winds down, and night begins to fall, Joey Alligator, learns valuable lessons in kindness, and bravery, trying to find his way back to school.

This is the second Seriously? You're Gonna Name Your Kid? book examining the relationship between open inquiry and nominative speculation. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Another humorous book of outrageous names parents should never give their kids, and the comical reactions one might have to them. Written as a one-sided dialogue rhetorically questioning the over 300 bizarre names proposed by fictitious parents for their offspring. Puns, double entendres and bon mots galore. You'll groan, laugh, smirk, chortle, titter, guffaw and wonder: How'd you get that name? Includes reader submissions. Now go out there and call people names

In this sequel to "The Haunting of America," national bestselling authors Joel Martin and William J. Birnes bring up to the present the story of how paranormal events influenced and sometimes even drove political events. In unearthing the roots of America's fascination with the ghosts, goblins, and demons that possess our imaginations and nightmares, Martin and Birnes show how the paranormal has driven America's political, public, and militarypolicies. The authors examine the social history of the United States through the lens of the paranormal and investigate the spiritual events that inspired momentous national decisions: UFOs that frightened the nation's military into launching nuclear bomber squadrons toward the Soviet Union, out-of-body experiences used to gather sensitive intelligence on other countries, and even spirits summoned to communicate with living politicians.

"The Haunting of Twentieth-Century America "is a thrilling evidencebased exploration of the often unexpected influences of the paranormal on science, medicine, law, the government, the military, psychology, theology, death and dying, spirituality, and pop culture.

In the tradition of their "Haunting of the Presidents, "national bestselling authors Joel Martin and William J. Birnes write "The Haunting of America: From The Salem Witch Trials to Harry Houdini, "the only book to tell the story of how paranormal events influenced and sometimes even drove political events. In a narrative retelling of American history that begins with the Salem Witch Trials of the seventeenth century, Martin and Birnes unearth the roots of America's fascination with the ghosts, goblins, and demons that possess our imaginations and nightmares. The authors examine the political history of the United States through the lens of the paranormal and investigate the spiritual events that inspired public policy: channelers and meduims who have advised presidents, UFOs that frightened the nation's military into launching nuclear bomber squadrons toward the Soviet Union, out-of-body experiencers deployed to gather sensitive intelligence on other countries, and even spirits summoned to communicate with living politicians. "The Haunting of America" is a thrilling exploration of the often unexpected influences of the paranormal on science, medicine, law, government, the military, psychology, theology, death and dying, spirituality, and pop culture.