Theology, the Paranormal, and Popular Culture : Wrestling with Strange Angels

This book argues that paranormal subjects like extraterrestrials, monsters, and spirits should be understood as serious forms of religious expression.

Unfortunately, due to various forms of religious and cultural privilege, the paranormal is belittled, if not outright denied, in studies of faith and spirituality. Richard W. McCarty resists this turn, arguing that the paranormal is a form of religious belief. Moving beyond familiar, scholarly approaches, McCarty considers the paranormal through the lens of popular culture and folklore, delving into the representations of the monstrous across media. This book argues that encounters with UFOS, Mothman, or Bigfoot are proximate to, and should be taken as seriously as, run-ins with angels and demons within religious contexts.

Across nine chapters, McCarty traces the history of the paranormal and cryptozoology within American popular culture. McCarty''s extended discussions on UFOS, monsters, and spirits offers a unique insight into why some forms of supernatural belief are prioritized over others. In essence, this book wields popular culture and folklore to prioritize the experiences of those with paranormal experiences, no matter how monstrous.