Proposal and Bibliography
Outline
Topic: My proposed topic and title is Religion in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
My website address is: https://religion-in-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina.webnode.page/
The issues and themes I will be exploring are:
- Symbols – I will discuss the frequent religious symbolism such as the crown of thorns, the devil, the cross, angels, light vs dark, and more used in the television show to contextualize Sabrina as a witch and Sabrina as a savior yet anti-Christ figure.
- Ritual – The witch society and Satan-worshipping religion of the Church of Night in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina includes various rituals and sacraments similar to Christianity/Catholicism (such as baptism, communion, etc.) and paganism but with occult twists. These rituals showcase Sabrina's doubt towards her faith and the system that governs the religion while also showcasing the battle of good and evil, in this case, witchcraft and the Church of Night versus Christianity.
- Myth and Prophecy – I will discuss how Christian and witch myths are incorporated in the show and how they contrast one another, along with prophecy how each religion's concept and figure of a savior relates to ideas of good versus evil.
- Family and Gender Roles – I will discuss the roles of gender and familial roles in religion to showcase further doubt in religion and the oppressive rules which may cause this doubt. In looking at Sabrina's matriarchal family system, each one of their doubts and disconnections from religion but their subsequent devotion, I will further analyze religious doubt (and doubt in those who govern the religious system such as the high priest) displayed in the show, yet how faith can remain and be practiced despite this.
Argument
The argument I will make with my website is that Sabrina in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina shows how there is a moral gray area between good and evil and what truly matters is the intentions, while also showing that even when facing doubt toward your religion you can still have faith in it. Throughout the show, Sabrina faces conflict when it comes to accepting every part of her witch life when it goes against her beliefs and desires (not wanting to give up her human life and friends to become a witch, her ability of choice/free will in exchange for power, and her bodily autonomy) and often fights against the expectations of her while still holding tight to her connection to the occult religion despite her wavering beliefs. Even though the religion in this show is occult, it still displays prominent facets of Christianity and compares and contrasts the two religions, which share many things in common surrounding their expectations of belief and the patriarchal nature of it (which is yet another important theme of the show, especially as this patriarchal system further adds to Sabrina's doubt in her religion). Thus, in looking at Chilling Adventures of Sabrina through its use of symbolism, rituals, myth and prophecy, and family and gender roles, the television show displays how you can keep your faith and hold onto your beliefs even when you begin to doubt it and see bad aspects deeply enriched in it—such as how there is moral corruption within the Church of Night, deeply rooted misogyny in the church, and how their divine figure is manipulating/taking advantage of the faith of his followers—while also debating what exactly makes something good or evil.
Conclusion
Overall, this website will show how despite being about witchcraft, pop culture and specifically fantasies such as Chilling Adventures of Sabrina can still display important religious themes such as good vs evil, what makes something good or evil, and how even when questioning your beliefs you can still hold onto them and you don't have to give them up just because of doubt or disagreement. The show's use of symbols, ritual, myth and prophecy, and family and gender all aid with contrasting ideas of good and evil while also showcasing religious doubt, and the ability to have faith even when those governing it are corrupt.
Annotated Bibliography
5 academic articles:
Eliason, K. D., Hall, M. E. L., Anderson, T., & Willingham, M. (2017). Where gender and religion meet: differentiating gender role ideology and religious beliefs about gender. The Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 36(1), 3-15. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1925376535/fulltextPDF/4EE4F74116B44BD2PQ/1?accountid=12378&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
This article discusses the intersection of gender and religion and how gender role ideologies are intrinsically related to an individual's religious beliefs. Through this lens, the article discusses how this impacts the treatment, perspective, and self-treatment regarding gender roles. When comparing this with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and its religion, it aids with contextualizing how its beliefs impose on ideas and the treatment of women in society, which can show how beliefs about women's role in the Church of Night impact their roles in relation to their men counterparts.
Gomola, A. (2014). The Myth of the Creation of Woman in Genesis 2: 18–23 and its Possible Translations – the Consequences for Christian Anthropology. Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego. Studia Religiologica, 47(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.4467/20844077SR.14.006.2379
This article discusses different versions and interpretations of the Christian creation myth and what it means for the treatment of women. As the Church of Nigh in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina mirrors parts of Christianity, especially the treatment of women, this article will help contextualize the oppression of women in religion and how different interpretations can led to very different outcomes, just like it happened in the show where the current head of the church has more negative views and teachings toward woman witches whereas the previous one did not. Alongside this analysis of these myths being important in understanding the treatment of women characters in religion in this show, these different myth interpretations will also be useful when discussing the character of Lilith (the same Lilith from Christian mythology), and how the perspective of myths around women impacts her character.
Henesy, M. (2021). "Leaving my girlhood behind": woke witches and feminist liminality in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Feminist Media Studies, 21(7), 1143–1157. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2020.1791929
This article discusses the feminism in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and many of the occult details and symbolism of the show while also touching on its relationship to the patriarchy. While witchcraft may be a large detail in the show, it also acts as feminist symbolism that stands against the Church of Night and the Christian Church (which the former mirrors and represents, albeit in a darker manner). This symbol of witches and witchcraft thus are analysed to be important symbols that represent religious rebellion against patriarchal systems.
Mahoney, A., Pargament, K. I., Murray-Swank, A., & Murray-Swank, N. (2003). Religion and the Sanctification of Family Relationships. Review of Religious Research, 44(3), 220–236. https://doi.org/10.2307/3512384
This article discusses religion and familial relationships and structures such as marital relationships, parent-child relationships, and the family system as a whole. Family relationships are an important part of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and this article will help with analysing how religion and different degrees of religious belief and devotion impacted these relationships, perspectives, and the characters aspirations regarding their family. However, the family dynamics in the show are often unconventional, which will also play into the religious beliefs of the Church of Night and its patriarchal ideas
Zwissler, L. (2011). Second nature: Contemporary pagan ritual borrowing in progressive Christian communities. Canadian Woman Studies, 29(1–2), 16–23. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1011004438/fulltextPDF/2CDCCD1146E14AD9PQ/1?accountid=12378&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
This article discusses pagan ritual borrowing done by Christians. Like how the Church of Night in Chilling adventures of Sabrina mirrors parts of Christianity and borrows from it, it also borrows from its borrowing of pagan rituals, and in the third season the witchcraft takes a more forward lean to overtly switching to paganism as the witches chose to follow pagan teachings instead of satanism. Thus, this article will be helpful in analysing the instances and influence of religious ritual borrowing in the show while also aiding in explaining the witches' almost natural progression from Christian-based inspiration of their religion and toward paganism as they move away from the oppressive ideas of the church.
3 academic books:
Foster, T. A. (Ed.). (2015). Women in Early America. New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/9781479876419
The book Women in Early America, more specifically the chapter on women and witchcraft titled Women as Witches, Witches as Women: Witchcraft and Patriarchy in Colonial North America, details consequences of the witch craze on women. It also discusses the effects this fear of witchcraft had on religion, the patriarchy, and their oppression. This chapter will be useful in contextualize witchcraft in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and comparing it the effects that the patriarchy had on ideas of witchcraft and women, and how these ideas are portrayed within a fictional world and religion where women/witches still suffer under the patriarchy and its religious influence. Overall, this chapter describes the deeply interconnected relationship between women and witchcraft and the misogyny women experienced from it because of religion.
Hester, M. (1992). Lewd Women and Wicked Witches: A Study of the Dynamics of Male Domination (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203409275
This book offers a feminist analysis on the witch craze and the women who were persecuted as witches during it. This book discusses and explains how witches are victims of oppression due to a male-dominated society and discusses the impact religion and the patriarchy had on the treatment of these women. This connection between witchcraft and witch hunts, and male dominance/the patriarchy and the oppression they imparted on women can be contextualized within the context of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to show how witches are used as a tool for highlighting religious and patriarchal oppression toward women. Despite the presence of witches of any gender (male witches being called warlocks in the show) there is still an extrinsic oppression of women shown, such as how it was only ever women widely persecuted by humans and how even within the witch's religion male domination has led to their subjugation. So overall, this book will aid in explaining these oppressive gender dynamics.
Shaw, S. M. (Ed.). (2009). Women and Religion : Global Lives in Focus (1st ed.). Greenwood. https://doi.org/10.5040/9798216036814
This book examines the impacts of religion on women from all around the. This book will be important in analyzing gender-specific rituals and impacts, and issues such as sexism in religion. Considering the context of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the sections in the book on Christianity will be used the most to compare the religion with the Church of Night in the show to show how sexism (which is displayed in similar ways in both religions) impacts women, their roles and expectations in and outside of their religion, and how it affects their religious practices. As misogyny and sexism in religion are an important theme in the show this book will help describe its effects and consequences for women.
10 internet or other sources:
Aloi, P. (2020). What Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Gets Right and Wrong about Modern Witchcraft. Refinery29. https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/2020/01/9334668/real-witch-facts-myths-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-netflix
This article, written by a practicing witch, offers a brief explanation of what aspects of witchcraft Chilling Adventures of Sabrina gets correct about real-life witches and paganism and what it gets wrong. This article is a good source of references to introduce the show's witchcraft and explain what parts are based in reality and what is fictional for entertainment and thematic reasons. Most importantly, this article touches on the 'divine figure' of witchcraft and some of the rituals in the Church of Night, which can be important to help contextualize Sabrina's doubt in her religion while also, while also being a good source to explain the nature of witchcraft in the show.
Kelden. (2018). The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina And Representative Witchcraft. Patheos. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/byathameandstang/2018/11/chilling-adventures-sabrina-witchcraft/
This short article discusses some of the rituals and spells that happen in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and compares them to real-life rituals and spells done in real religions and witchcraft. This comparison between fiction and reality is a good source for describing the rituals in the show and some of the minor spell work rituals that are often dismissed in other articles for a discussion on larger rituals like Sabrina's dark baptism and her signing their religious book. Additionally, the article does mention some religious symbols that appear in the show, and also briefly discusses the show's portrayal, and it's accuracy of actual witches, pagan religions, and folklore.
Molina, M. (2019). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2: "Evil?" That word means nothing to our kind." MyMiseducation. https://www.mymiseducation.org/blog/chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-part-2evil-that-word-means-nothing-to-our-kin
This article highlights one of the main themes in the show, good vs evil. It does this by discussing Sabrina's actions and her conflict between choosing her witch side or her human side and whether she will accept the 'evil' of Satan and the Church of Night. This article also points out a lot of the symbolism and rituals in the show such as the angels, Lucifer, the dark baptism, the exorcism, and the anti-sacraments Sabrina performs in the show which intentionally mirrors the actions Jesus did before his death, which also relates to the religious myth and religious prophecy in the show.
Murphy, J. (2021). Religion in Popular Culture Lab: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. WordPress. https://religionpopculture.home.blog/2021/10/15/the-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina/
This article delves into symbols and representations from pagan religions in the show. Additionally, it briefly touches on and references the references that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has made to other religious texts, some of which have gradually become important religious myths themselves and highlights the importance and prominence of religious myth in the show.
Peterside, T. (n.d) What 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' can teach us about manoeuvring for power in the Patriarchy. Sludge. (https://www.sludge.online/what-the-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-can-teach-us-about-manoeuvring-for-power-in-the-patriarchy
This article details the connection between patriarchy and religion in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It analyses three characters closely involved in this theme and looks at how their gender caused them to be negatively affected by the patriarchy and the Church of Night's corruption, along with displaying some of the anti-women rhetoric found in the show's religion which also has come to mirror various real-life religions. This article will aid in discussing the relationship between gender roles and religion.
Rainbow, S. (2020) What is a hare moon? The myth that inspired Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/hare-moon-myth-symbolism-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-a4352356.html
This article looks at paganism in relation to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and many of the pagan myths, rituals, and inspirations that appear in the show. It is specifically in the third season where the show tilts away from satanism and more toward ideas of paganism, and this article highlights many of the pagan details that appear, such as the hare moon symbol/ritual, and the ritual of Lupercalia, which is a real-life pagan festival that appears as a slightly altered (more dramatic and entertaining for television) ritual.
Schlesinger, E. R. (2019). The Chilling Contradictions of Sabrina. The Living Church. https://livingchurch.org/covenant/the-chilling-contradictions-of-sabrina/
This article points out the show's relationship with Christianity. This article contextualizes the similarities between the real and fictional religion, and how the religions mirror each other, especially regarding how their mythologies and religions intertwine with the other. In pointing out these comparisons, this article will help with supporting the themes of good versus evil and the nature of each of these concepts.
Screen Queens. (2018). How The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina explores feminism through the imagery of witchcraft. WordPress. https://screenqueens.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/the-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-imagery-of-witchcraft/
This article discusses feminism, its relation to religion and patriarchal power structures through witches and witchcraft imagery and symbolism. The article points out that the concept of a witch and the witch trials are symbols of gendered and religious oppression, then goes on to explain how the show uses these symbols to indicate this oppression and sexism still present in religion through using Chilling Adventures of Sabria as a medium. Witch symbolism has been reclaimed in a way to further show these themes and indicate the gendered oppression women face in religion, which this article points out mirrors our modern age and religions.
Ting, J. A. (2019). "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" Shows That There's Power in Questioning Your Religion. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-questioning-religion
This article has a similar argument that my website will, that even when you doubt and question your faith you can still hold onto it. The author of this blog details Sabrina's questioning of her faith and the rules and the way that the Church of Night is ruled and relates it to her own experiences of questioning aspects of her religion. In doing this, the article highlights some of the outdated and patriarchal rules of the Church of Night—which are still common in many modern-day religions—and the unequal gender treatment in this religion.
Wabik, M. (2023). The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: the Pagans, A Magical Media Analysis. White Rose of Avalon. https://whiteroseofavalon.life/2023/06/05/the-chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-the-pagans-a-magical-media-analysis/
This article analyses the depictions and symbols of paganism that appear in the series in the third season (when the witches move away from the Church of Night and toward paganism and the worship of the three goddesses instead). While the article is brief, it points out some of the similarities in the show between the first disputes between paganism and Christianity with the conflict between the witches and pagans in the show.
Image and Video Citations:
Image 1. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Series Poster. Netflix. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e823ad7b01f212ca4382c5c/5e83f24b1f1a0427501dad69/5eb8a05e0f826758a3d29bc3/1617333079535/Chilling_Adventures_of_Sabrina_Official_Poster.jpg?format=1500w
Image 2. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina and her witch friends casting a spell on a pentagram. Netflix. https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/05/00/11843104-6884851-image-a-40_1554420703121.jpg
Image 3. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina wearing a crown of thorns. Netflix. https://decider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sabrina-chapter-17.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=978&h=652&crop=1
Image 4. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina looking at a statue of the Devil. Netflix.
Image 5. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina and her double casting a spell. Netflix. https://occ-0-8407-1009.1.nflxso.net/dnm/api/v6/E8vDc_W8CLv7-yMQu8KMEC7Rrr8/AAAABfum3G7UOe_nTahFtxGNjGiRCMmKwnCI3XKP3pLNl0oy6zNOxSiCuu3ZPlGxYXExqutkpS3qwQwR7f39O9xCuupzRJiC6F-rujBH.jpg?r=c01
Image 6. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina partaking in her Dark Baptism. Netflix. https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/771/2018/11/chillingadventuresofsabrina.png
Image 7. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: The Hare Moon Festival. Netflix. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/riverdalearchie/images/3/30/CAOS-Promo-3x04-The-Hare-Moon-08-Agatha-Melvin-Elspeth-Hilda-Zelda-Ambrose-Dorcas-Prudence.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20200127034104
Image 8. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: the Malum Malus apple. Netflix.
Image 9. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina with the Devil behind her. Netflix. https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HswXB2W9h5ESK3Cf27wXkm.jpg
Image 10. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: An altar to Sabrina. Netflix. https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/590x/secondary/herald-of-hell-sabrina-1823216.png?r=1555425533667
Image 11. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Prudence, Sabrina, Dorcus, and Agatha. Netflix. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012eb8e8a41220043429ae5/1627427208235-6M45IGLAI91B4A5UCHHL/Sabrina-FA.jpeg
Image 12. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina holding a box. Netflix. https://ew.com/thmb/4UELyb5Cp04vXlmG04QkejlLDRk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chilling-adventures-of-sabrina-023-7c8e797fb57a4fd895b55e997b66d0fb.jpg
Image 13. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Zelda. Netflix.
Fig. 14. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Prudence. Netflix. https://i0.wp.com/www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Chilling-Advenures-of-Sabrina-Prudence.jpg?fit=618%2C412&quality=89&ssl=1
Image 15. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Lilith. Netflix. https://waywardacademic.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/photo_2020-01-28_17-36-09.jpg?w=750
Image 16. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina and her family (aunt Zelda, aunt Hilda, and cousin Ambrose) casting a spell at the Hare Moon festival. Netflix.
Image 17. Aguirre-Sacasa, R. (2018). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Image: Sabrina and her aunts at her Dark Baptism. Netflix. https://occ-0-8407-116.1.nflxso.net/dnm/api/v6/9pS1daC2n6UGc3dUogvWIPMR_OU/AAAABarv0l97y70tr_8_YYekNKmnm7_9-xv20OmsoXJrNsoFaQ8DmNJjhrPuzAmuZc4SekqPxDKUE4gazA3zYwpgSQzHUYF1lzkbQof-b5cKAiBFQxAnj4tgH4-s.jpg?r=a86
Still Watching Netflix. (2018, October 3). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2gbPxeNk2E