Ghosts, Ghouls, and Demons: Religion and the Supernatural

What does the grotesque, the unsettling, and the terrifying have to do with religion? In Ghosts, Ghouls, and Demons: Religion and the Supernatural, we explore the relationship between religion and horror, exploring how some traditions posit a link between the seemingly horrific and profound truths about the divine and the human condition. While Western theology often centers a binary of good and evil, we look primarily to the religious landscapes of Asia to rethink how "horror" can answer questions related to the supernatural. We will analyze specific examples of horror in multiple religions, from scriptural monsters to depictions of absolute evil and the nonhuman. We further explore how horror narratives can function as sacred texts and spawn their own devoted communities. Finally, we will use contemporary horror films as a doorway to philosophical and historical reflection.