1. Introduction -- 2. Skateboarding, religion, and lifestyle sports -- Part I. Observation : 3. Origin myth -- 4. Skate Gods -- 5. Iconography -- Part II. Performance : 6. Video journeys -- 7. Pilgrimage sports -- 8. Ritualised play -- Part III. Organisation : 9. A vehicle for faith -- 10. DIY religion -- 11. Self-help -- 12. Conclusion -- Index.
Summary:
This book explores the ways in which religion is observed, performed, and organised in skateboard culture. Drawing on scholarship from the sociology of religion and the cultural politics of lifestyle sports, this work combines ethnographic research with media analysis to argue that the rituals of skateboarding provide participants with a rich cultural canvas for emotional and spiritual engagement. Paul O'Connor contends that religious identification in skateboarding is set to increase as participants pursue ways to both control and engage meaningfully with an activity that has become an increasingly mainstream and institutionalized sport. Religion is explored through the themes of myth, celebrity, iconography, pilgrimage, evangelism, cults, and self-help--back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.