Religion and fantasy in the context of post-secularism

Abstract

This article explores various types of interrelations of religion and fictional works in the fantasy genre. Research is based on key works for the genre (J. R. R. Tolkien, C. Lewis, U. Le Guin, Ph. Pullman, G. Martin, etc.) using methodological approaches developed in contemporary religious studies (E. Bailey, R. Bella, K. Cusack, R. Davidsen, E. McAvan). The article demonstrates that it is important to interpret the phenomenon of fantasy in the context of the modern post-secular world, which is characterized by such phenomena as religious bricolage, individualization of religion, and implicit religiosity. The article shows that fantasy authors not only use religious imaginary and symbolism, drawing inspiration from various religious systems, but also construct invented religions, which, in addition to their intra-plot meaning, carry an important message, expressing different views on religion, sometimes critical and anticlerical. Fantasy from the realm of the unreal becomes superreal, highlighting issues that are significant both for its authors and for the society. Communities and fandoms arise on the basis of fantasy narratives, and some of them not just implicitly, but quite openly turn into religious ones. Understood and interpreted in the context of post-secularism, the phenomenon of the fantasy genre itself with its incredible popularity appears in a new light, since this popularity can be correlated with new post-secular religiosity, with popular culture being its important source.