12 thinkers, books, and ideas connected to this field.
Diana Walsh Pasulka's 2019 book applying the sociology of religion to the UAP phenomenon — arguing that UAP belief exhibits all the features of an emerging religion, including sacred sites, transformation narratives, and a growing belief community.
Jeffrey Kripal's history of paranormal writing — arguing that figures like Frederic Myers, Charles Fort, Jacques Vallée, and Bertrand Méheust were engaged in a genuinely scholarly project of studying phenomena that exceed current scientific categories.
American religious studies scholar who has analyzed the UFO/UAP phenomenon as a religious and cultural phenomenon — arguing it functions as a new mythology generating genuine belief systems.
American scholar of Daoism who has argued for a contemplative core to classical Daoist texts and led the collaborative translation of the Huainanzi.
Jeffrey Kripal's controversial psychoanalytic and tantric reading of the 19th-century Bengali mystic Ramakrishna — arguing that his mystical experiences were shaped by homoeroticism and transgressive tantric sexuality.
Jeffrey Kripal's comparative study of Western and Eastern mystics — arguing that transgressive erotic experience is a recurring and structurally important element of mystical revelation.
A textbook designed to teach the Bible as literature and cultural document in public schools — covering the Bible's influence on literature, art, music, and culture without religious advocacy.
American Mormon historian (1944-2021), excommunicated from the LDS Church in 1993 for his scholarly work. Known for meticulous archival research producing revisionist accounts of early Mormonism, particularly on folk magic, polygamy, and the institutional history of the Church. One of the most consequential and controversial Mormon historians.
D. Michael Quinn's landmark scholarly work demonstrating that Joseph Smith and early Mormon leaders operated within a pervasive folk magic world view involving treasure-seeking, divining rods, seer stones, ritual magic, and occult practices. Draws on extensive primary source research.
Catholic theologian referenced in the symbolic1 context. Likely connected to contemporary Catholic intellectual and theological discourse. Specific works and contributions not fully documented in available sources.
A figure referenced in the symbolic1 context and likely the host of the Makers and Mystics podcast. Identity and specific contributions are not fully documented; likely a contemporary theologian or creative thinker connected to the Pantheon project's intellectual network.