Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Marks, Susan
Area of Concentration
Religion
Abstract
This thesis explores Raves, which are all-night dance parties in secret locations, are particularly based around Electronic Dance Music. Raves usually feature loud, bass-heavy music, sex, substance use, rituals, dancing and community. Since there are illegal elements involved, as well as young adults and even sometimes youth involvement, most academic understandings of rave and rave culture ignore the blatantly ritualistic, transcendent, and I argue, religious elements of these unique experiences. In light of ritual theory, philosophy of religion, and the religiosity of technology, I ask if these raves are in fact, religious. I first define religion, according to Clifford Geertz, as well as examine the possibility of raves falling into the category of Tillich’s pseudo-religion. Next, I discuss ritual and I look particularly at a trading ritual featuring plastic bracelets, handmade by participants. I discuss the dissociative, technological nature of the rave experience and how that contributes to the reported religious experiences. I expand on the notion that raves can be religious according to the Geertz definition because of their symbolic, ritualistic and technological elements.
Recommended Citation
Felder, Shelby Grey, "Rave, Symbol, Ritual and Cyborg: The Nature of Post-Technological Spiritual Experience" (2016). Theses & ETDs. 5200.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5200