Liz Cathey: Personal Choice 4

One article that I found particularly interesting was called “Focus Introduction: Aquatic Nature Religion,” by Bron Taylor. This article discusses how experiences in nature, particularly those water-oriented, can bring out and often reinforce religious perceptions that we individuals hold.  The author explains three case studies that were conducted, which involved surfing, fly fishing, and water kayaking.  These three studies were paralleled with experiences that were described as religious, or religious-resembling, experiences.  In religion to this topic, I stumbled upon B. Taylor’s “Surfing into Spirituality and a New: Aquatic Nature Religion.”  This article is about those who refer to themselves as “soul surfers” and goes into detail about how they view surfing and their time in the water as their religious experience.  The author took great time by researching all aspects of the field of surfing as religion, including: myths, terminology, symbols, and material culture.  The article argues that this small subgroup of religious people should be recognized as a religious movement, one with a purpose and story to tell to the world.