Landscapes of the Sacred Post #3 - Matt Marquand

In Landscapes of the Sacred by Belden C. Lane describes there are three different approaches to define what is sacred, the ontological, cultural and phenomenological approach.  In Landscapes of the Sacred, Lane states, “In an effort to define what constitutes a sacred place, we can speak of ontological, cultural and phenomenological approaches, each of them coming at the question of place from very different philosophical and methodical starting points.”  He also writes about “chora” which is the intimate personal experience that takes place in a certain place.  Chora is recognized as a very uncommon experience that occurs only in certain instances.  These three approaches help explain this concept and provide evidence for the experience.  The ontological approach relates to religion, where supernatural forces have invaded the ordinary.  From this perspective a sacred place is radically set apart from anything profane.  A personal example of this is a supposedly haunted plantation near CNU's campus.  The plantation has paranormal activity and supernatural feeling.  Through this approach it could be considered a sacred place in its own way.