Honors Thesis Archive
| Author | Gabrielle Doty |
|---|---|
| Title | Alternative Spiritualities: Lived Experience, Identity, and Community |
| Department | Sociology |
| Advisor | Nona Moskowitz |
| Year | 2023 |
| Honors | University Honors |
| Full Text | View Thesis (439 KB) |
| Abstract | Alternative spiritualities, or spiritual practices that fall outside of traditional organized religions, have long been viewed as deviant. But with growing religious discontent in the world, more people have begun turning to these alternatives. This thesis explores the lived experience, identity, and community of Americans who practice alternative spiritualities. Interviews were conducted with seven Spiritualist church attendees and three Witchcraft practitioners to further understand the impacts of spirituality on their daily lives and display the present need for these alternatives within society. Participants’ lived experiences revealed that religious upbringings and discontent with organized religions directly influenced their motivations for seeking out spiritual alternatives. Moreover, their current spiritual practices actively shape continued motivations to maintain their spiritual beliefs. Spirituality is a critical piece of identity; however, it remains a factor in which people are conscious over due to the negative associations that are inherently attached onto the notion of alternative spirituality. Community remains a central component of alternative spiritualities, as it is a key factor in sustaining one’s spirituality. Each of these elements convey that people are seeking out alternative spiritualities due to a present need for religious alternatives separate from traditional organized religions, which provide community and allow individuality, personal spiritual constructions, beliefs, and practices. |
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