Buffy As Religion - Quick Question!

[~KISMIC~]

Okay I've been given a religion assignment - To create a religion. It can be based on anything, using the eight different dimensions that constitute a religion.They are:
1) Doctrinal: Are there Holy Writings that are studied within your religion? Give them a name and list the fundamental beliefs they contain.
2) Mythological: What are the oldest stories of your religion. How was the world created? How did evil become a part of our world? Etc.
3) Ethical: What does the faith believe of ‘moral and ethical’ behaviour? What is seen a justice/charity in your religion?
4) Ritual: What rituals exist in your religion? What do they celebrate? Where are they celebrated? Etc.
5) Experiential: Is worship important to you? Why? What are the ways people have of reaching religious experience within your religion?
6) Social: When do you come together on a regular basis? What is your involvement within the wider community?
7) Symbol: Design a symbol to represent your religion, one that when people see it they will recognise as belonging to your religion,
8) Belief in ‘life after death’. Does your religion have a belief in a soul or in some form of life after physical death?

If you have any help/info AT ALL then I’d love to hear it. My main thoughts on how I’d like it to be is with joss as the highest Power/God, the writers (Marti, etc) as second highest in importance, etc. Also though we all love W/T keep in mind that this is a Catholic high school - think 'unaccepting of other lifestyles' - so it can not be too heavily based around Willow or Tara, etc.
Anyway thanks in advance.
~Kristy~

[Kalita]

Hmmm... interesting.

1) Doctrinal:

The episodes, naturally. Most specifically, those with large effect on the main plot arc.

2) Mythological:

The whole vampire/demon/slayer etc. lore - the rules that govern the Buffyverse.

3) Ethical:

Good one. Fighting for the greater good, holding back the forces of evil seems to be the big one.

4) Ritual:

Sitting down every Tuesday night at 8.

5) Experiential:

Another toughie. Living the characters' experiences, using the lingo and immersing yourself in their world. Not the best answer, but hey.

6) Social:

Watching the show, again, and coming online to discuss it (or discussing in person with friends).

7) Symbol:

Hm. Hard to find one defining 'symbol', but there's an interlocking B-V-S one out there that's pretty cool.

8) Belief in ‘life after death’.

Lots to say on the soul here; and how it can be subsumed by a demon (vampires) or returned to the body (Buffy's ressurection).

Just my quick thoughts, as someone with no religion of her own (no, not even Buffy).

[This message has been edited by Kalita (edited March 03, 2002).]

[jomarch]

I totally agree with what Kalita mentioned . But I think fanfiction should be brought up as well. So, Experiential could be fanfiction (i.e. spreading the 'good' word). People immersing themselves in the buffyverse by writing and sharing their vision.

[Kalita]

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Originally posted by jomarch:
So, Experiential could be fanfiction (i.e. spreading the 'good' word).

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*Slaps forehead*

Yeesh, where is my head? Perfect point. Thank you.quote:

[jomarch]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kalita:
*Slaps forehead*

Yeesh, where is my head? Perfect point. Thank you.

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Kalita. You're welcome .

~Kismic~, this sounds like a great assignment. I went to catholic school too but they never had assignments like these. Anyway, when you finish, you should post it here. Buffy as a religion (never really thought of it) but maybe it will appear on the UK census in the future like Jedi.

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[TaraMaclay]

Wouldn't #5 also count the people that go to the many conventions for both Buffy/Angel. Also counting in the many of whom go in costume.

I've heard many news (actually on the news) bits that variouss people were actually looking for and finding clothes similar to those worn on the show.

One story in particular that i caught was of Davis and Seth looking an many of the fan sites (Kitten Board type), and telling the news people how obsessed some of the fans can get. Finding one person that mentioned that he was looking for 'David's Coat' apparently to finish his Angel costume.

* * ** Please don't ask where from, the news article was way back in Season 2 and I rrely taped back then. (except the episodes)

*** Edited due to poor spelling ***

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IM:WillowsBandCamp/TaraMaclay69
Guardian of Vampire Tara
Keeper of Tara's 'Lil Pile 'O Crackers'
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Look, I realize that every slayer comes with a expiration mark stamped on the package.. But I want mine to be a long time from now.. Like a Cheeto.
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[This message has been edited by TaraMaclay (edited March 03, 2002).]

[~KISMIC~]

Okay, thank you all, already you've been an enormous help. I posted my question during the RE lesson and got replies back DURING that same lesson, you guys are just brilliant.
I love the ideas, thanks especially to Kalita for well basically an OUTLINE of the assignment I actually hadn't even thought of writing it in that way, but it seems much more easier to focus the rules more on the show instead of the creators.
Finally one more question, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find the interlocking BVS logo would you...anyone?
Jomarch - Ahh, how about we see how well I do on the assignment before planning to post it Not that I'm feeling any additional pressure now...

*~Kristy~*

[Maj]

On a related topic,

We had a cencus a few months back here is Australia, and as I'm not religious, I didn't have a religion to put down...

There was a email that went around if 10,000 Australian's put "Jedi Knight" down as a religion, it would be a proper/registered Religion...

I didn't want to put that down, so I put down "The Order Of Hannigan".

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Maj - (Creator of Willow's Room)

SFX: Where would you like to see Willow go in the sixth season?
Alyson: "I hope Willow gets taller, and she gets a tan."
- SFX Magazine, December 2001

[Wiccagrrl]

quote:

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8) Belief in ‘life after death’. Does your religion have a belief in a soul or in some form of life after physical death?

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Oh, yeah...with many, many, many hours of debate on the importance of the soul in the Buffyverse

Sounds like a very interesting assignment, and sounds like you've gotten some good help here. Are you gonna use Joss and the writers as TPTB? Just Curious.
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