Author Archives: Michael E. Thorn

About Michael E. Thorn

I have just completed my PhD in Communication and Culture with a research focus in media, religion and culture.

Maternal Cannibalism and Communion in the Novel and Film Life of Pi

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Michael E. Thorn

NOTE: The following is an abridged and edited version of an article I wrote published in the Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, Volume 27, Number 1, Spring 2015, pp. 1-15 (University of Toronto Press). The full article can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Immigration and Refugees, Media, Popular Culture, Psychology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why do the Cylons Hate Humanity (and Vancouver)? Spoiler Alert!

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

“I’m a machine. I can know much more. I can experience so much more. But I’m trapped in this absurd body. And why? Because my five creators thought that God wanted it that way.” –John Cavil, Cylon Model #1. Listen! … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Popular Culture, Psychology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can You Trust a Government that Hides Numerous Policy Changes in Giant Unrelated Bills they Hope Nobody Reads?

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

The Conservative government of Canada (sometimes called the Harper government) is up to its old tricks, hiding important policy changes in giant omnibus budget bills in the hopes that no one will notice. As outlined here, this time the hidden … Continue reading →

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If Wilfred is just a dog, does that mean Ryan killed him? (Spoiler Alert)

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

The 4-season American version of the darkly comedic show Wilfred has now been over for a couple of months. For those of you unfamiliar and unconcerned about having major plot points given away, Wilfred is an FX show about a … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Psychology, Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Another New Book Claims Jesus was Married

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

I’m not entirely sure why so many people get so upset whenever somebody suggests that Jesus may not have been celibate (as if celibacy is really supposed to be the core practice of Christianity)… I mean, of course I understand … Continue reading →

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For a Multicultural Country, Canada is not Always Very Welcoming

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

Overall, if we can accept the conclusions of this CBC/Research House Survey, the majority of Canadians support immigration and multiculturalism, which is good; however, there is still a significant portion of the Canadian populace, which varies from region to region … Continue reading →

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A Political Poll in Canada Unexpectedly Provides Some Interesting Media, Religion and Psychology Data

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

While my primary academic interests revolve around media, religion and psychology I have always been a political junkie… or at least since I was a teenager. Being Canadian, I follow Canadian politics very closely and, I must admit, I am … Continue reading →

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Conservative Christianity’s Effects on the Mind

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

I recently came across this fascinating article, which examines the potential harmful psychological effects of conservative Christianity: Go to http://www.salon.com/2014/11/01 Of particular interest, I note the article’s outline of a new “unofficial” diagnostic category (unofficial because it is not (yet?) … Continue reading →

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My Second Blog Post

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

Leoben Conoy (Callum Keith Rennie) is by far the most intriguing cylon. A cylon with faith who can see the future… If Jack Van Impe actually knew what he was talking about, he would be the Leoben of televangelists.

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My First Blog Post (SPOILER ALERT!!!)

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Michael E. Thorn

As my first post I simply present to you the most heart-breaking image to have ever appeared in a television comedy that thinks religion and psychology together:

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