Ruparell, TinuFieseler, Nicholas Leroy2023-08-152023-08-152023-08Fieseler, N. L. (2023). Wrestling with religion: freedom, violence, and ultimate concern on the theodramatic stage (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116862The intersection of religion and popular culture is largely understood as imposing traditional forms of religion onto popular culture phenomena. This conception restricts the role of religion to preconceived and formalized expressions of belief systems without recognizing the potentially vast expanse the concept of religion entails. By applying the models of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theodrama and Rene Girard’s mimetic theory to popular culture, the distinction between areas deemed sacred and profane is diminished, making it possible to re-imagine aspects of religion in all areas of existence. This thesis explores religion implicit in the oft-ignored phenomenon of professional wrestling, through which a fresh understanding of moral behavior, and the appeal of “bad” actors on the theodramatic and wrestling stage, may be seen as expressions of religion discerned independent of formalized definitions and traditional restrictions. In this theodramatic re-imagining, the category of religion expands beyond its current narrow confines to include areas not normally deemed religious.enUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.TheodramaImplicit ReligionMimetic TheoryProfessional WrestlingUltimate ConcernEducation--Religiousdoctoral thesis