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Reconsidering Religion and Fandom: Christian Fan Works in "My Little Pony" Fandom
Andrew Crome
Culture and Religion. 2014;15(4):399-418.
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Abstract
Studies of religion and fandom have tended to explore the extent to which fan cultures might be seen as forms of surrogate religion. This article suggests that a more detailed examination of the way in which believers use their faith within their individual fandoms would offer more interesting insights into both contemporary religious practice and fandom. Conducting a case study of ‘Brony’ fandom (adult fandom of cartoon "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic"), this article explores the ways in which Christian fans use fan fiction and art to promote religious literacy, explore theological issues, and engage in evangelism and exegesis. Fan knowledge is used as a way to quickly impart and explore complex religious concepts in a manner which utilises the shared culture of fandom. This should not be seen as a symptom of ‘mediatisation’ but as part of a complex synthesis of faith and popular culture.
Keyword(s)
Bronies; Fan fiction; Fandom; My Little Pony; Religion and Popular Culture