Religious Serpent Handling and Community Relations.

Christian serpent handling sects of Appalachia comprise a community that has long been mischaracterized and marginalized by the larger communities surrounding them. To explore this dynamic, this article traces the emergence of serpent handling in Appalachia and the emergence of anti-serpent-handling state laws, which eventually failed to curb the practice, as local communities gave serpent handling groups support. We present two studies to consider for improving community relations with serpent handling sects. In study 1, we present data relating the incidence of reported serpent-bite deaths with the rise of anti-serpent-handling laws and their eventual abatement, based on increasing acceptance of serpent handlers by the larger community. Study 2 presents interview data on serpent bites and death that provide explanations for these events from the cultural and religious perspective. We conclude that first-hand knowledge about serpent handlers, and other marginalized groups, helps to lessen suspicion and allows them to be seen as not much different, which are tendencies that are important for promoting inter-community harmony.

The implication of traditional Chinese medicine sects for the chronic non-communicable disease research / 国际中医中药杂志

This paper reviewed the academic contribution of famous doctor of traditional Chinese medicine belonging to Yishui sects, and analyzed the change of chronic non-communicable disease in the 21st century. On this basis, the paper put forward that we should exert the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, explore the regularity of treating chronic non-communicable disease, refresh the academic innovation, and generate new ideas and new treatment.

Novas expressões da religiosidade: o que elas dizem sobre o sujeito em sociedade hoje

Nas últimas décadas surgiram novas expressões da religiosidade, manifestadas na proliferação das seitas engendradas numa dimensão de contrato e troca entre os fiéis e Deus. O artigo as compara com religiões tradicionais orientadas por um pacto que, ao contrário, mantém a referência à alteridade e a impossibilidade de um arbítrio frente aos desígnios de Deus. Para além das semelhanças que as unem - marcadas todas pela mesma busca da felicidade e do alívio para o mal-estar -, há diferenças acentuadas entre elas, que apontam para distintas configurações do laço social e do sujeito que delas é efeito(AU)

New expressions of religiosity: what they say about subjectivity and society today. In the last decades new expressions of religiosity have arisen in the form of sects that entail a dimension of contract and exchange between the faithful and God. The present article compares them with traditional religions that are guided by the notion of a pact. The former keeps the reference to alterity and considers it impossible for people to arbitrate when facing God's will. In spite of their similitude - both sects and traditional religions are in search of happiness and relief from all kinds of discomfort in society - there are important differences between them pointing to diverse social bonds and hence different subjectivities(AU)

Novas expressões da religiosidade: o que elas dizem sobre o sujeito em sociedade hoje / New expressions of religiosity: what they say about the subject in society today

Nas últimas décadas surgiram novas expressões da religiosidade, manifestadas na proliferação das seitas engendradas numa dimensão de contrato e troca entre os fiéis e Deus. O artigo as compara com religiões tradicionais orientadas por um pacto que, ao contrário, mantém a referência à alteridade e a impossibilidade de um arbítrio frente aos desígnios de Deus. Para além das semelhanças que as unem - marcadas todas pela mesma busca da felicidade e do alívio para o mal-estar -, há diferenças acentuadas entre elas, que apontam para distintas configurações do laço social e do sujeito que delas é efeito...

New expressions of religiosity: what they say about subjectivity and society today. In the last decades new expressions of religiosity have arisen in the form of sects that entail a dimension of contract and exchange between the faithful and God. The present article compares them with traditional religions that are guided by the notion of a pact. The former keeps the reference to alterity and considers it impossible for people to arbitrate when facing God's will. In spite of their similitude - both sects and traditional religions are in search of happiness and relief from all kinds of discomfort in society - there are important differences between them pointing to diverse social bonds and hence different subjectivities...

The "Bestie di Satana" murders.

In recent years, satanic groups have been responsible for various types and degrees of crimes. We report the case of a number of murders committed in Italy by a group of young people calling themselves the "Bestie di Satana". Forensic psychiatric assessment of the members of a satanic sect charged with the crime revealed that all the young people had a fragile, immature personality, a very low level of education and were socially disadvantaged. The trial of the members of the "Bestie di Satana" sect was concluded with the verdict of deliberate murder, and all the members were given long jail sentences. This report should lead us to explore social and cultural responses to juvenile satanism, statistically shown to be a relatively rare phenomenon but with a high criminal potential.