Managing Spirituality

Public Religion and National Parks

Authors

  • KIerry Archer Mitchell Global College, Long Island University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v1i4.431

Keywords:

public religion, national parks, spirituality

Abstract

This article outlines four techniques through which the National Park Service manages the spirituality of park visitors: (1) the maintenance of bodily discipline; (2) evocation of the natural sublime; (3) implication of global interconnectedness; and (4) facilitation of individual differentiation. These techniques work together to construct spirituality as a private investment in the public space of the park. I argue that the National Park Service thus creates structural links between the individuality of visitors and a certain way of organizing the parks, a way that appears natural and is highly managed by the state. In this way a private, individualistic nature spirituality takes on the character of public religion.

Author Biography

  • KIerry Archer Mitchell, Global College, Long Island University
    Associate Director Comparative Religion and Culture Global College, Long Island University

References

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Published

2008-01-25

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mitchell, K. A. (2008). Managing Spirituality: Public Religion and National Parks. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 1(4), 431-449. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v1i4.431

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