Raymond Radford (University of Sydney), Review of A. Dyrendal, D. G. Robertson, and E. Asprem (eds), Handbook of Conspiracy Theory and Contemporary Religion. Chapter: Carole M. Cusack, “The Messiah is a Salesman, Yet Consumerism is a Con(spiracy): The Church of the SubGenius,” pp. 513-526. By Carole Cusack

https://www.academia.edu/143806952/Raymond_Radford_University_of_Sydney_Review_of_A_Dyrendal_D_G_Robertson_and_E_Asprem_eds_Handbook_of_Conspiracy_Theory_and_Contemporary_Religion_Chapter_Carole_M_Cusack_The_Messiah_is_a_Salesman_Yet_Consumerism_is_a_Con_spiracy_The_Church_of_the_SubGenius_pp_513_526?email_work_card=title The seventeenth volume of the prolific and inspired Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion (BHCR) series focuses on the strange and wonderful world of conspiracy theories, and the complex relation that these theories have with religiosity. If a conspiracy theory is a deus ex machina that explains circumstances in a non-verifiable way, then perhaps religion is a conspiracy theory itself? Deftly handled by the editing team of Asbjørn Dyrendal, David G. Robertson and Egil Asprem, the handbook is divided into three parts—Explanations, Correspondences, and Locations—and under these headings the chapter authors endeavour to cover a myriad conspiracy theories linked to established religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc.), with new religious movements (Aum Shinrikyo), and with popular culture discourse (the Church of the SubGenius, and popular music for example).