Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology

Although many religious experiences occur within the walls of churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. and the sacred spaces that surround them, many more are encountered in the secular spaces and experiences of our everyday lives. Working out of the critical correlative method of theological reflection...

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Main Author: Jodi Hunt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/135
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author Jodi Hunt
author_facet Jodi Hunt
author_sort Jodi Hunt
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description Although many religious experiences occur within the walls of churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. and the sacred spaces that surround them, many more are encountered in the secular spaces and experiences of our everyday lives. Working out of the critical correlative method of theological reflection and circular theology, this paper proposes that the community, pilgrimage, and storytelling aspects of the Grand Ole Opry offers poignant opportunities for religious meaning making or inspired paths in connecting people to the sacred, no matter their religious background or upbringing. It is out of this exploration that the Grand Ole Opry arises to be a religious experience.
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spelling doaj.art-928ff3c612d14e5e9f3ee4f1386019de2023-11-23T21:51:42ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-01-0113213510.3390/rel13020135Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular TheologyJodi Hunt0Theology Department, The University of Dallas, Irving, TX 75241, USAAlthough many religious experiences occur within the walls of churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. and the sacred spaces that surround them, many more are encountered in the secular spaces and experiences of our everyday lives. Working out of the critical correlative method of theological reflection and circular theology, this paper proposes that the community, pilgrimage, and storytelling aspects of the Grand Ole Opry offers poignant opportunities for religious meaning making or inspired paths in connecting people to the sacred, no matter their religious background or upbringing. It is out of this exploration that the Grand Ole Opry arises to be a religious experience.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/135communitypilgrimagereligious educationstorytellingtheological reflection
spellingShingle Jodi Hunt
Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
Religions
community
pilgrimage
religious education
storytelling
theological reflection
title Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
title_full Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
title_fullStr Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
title_full_unstemmed Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
title_short Encountering God in “The Circle”: Examining the Grand Ole Opry as a Religious Experience through the Lens of Circular Theology
title_sort encountering god in the circle examining the grand ole opry as a religious experience through the lens of circular theology
topic community
pilgrimage
religious education
storytelling
theological reflection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/135
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