Islamic Forms of New Age Belief in Syncretic Hyperreality

Öz

Although the era of secularism, which promised that human beings could build the truth, was not over, the trend towards mystical and paranormal beliefs grew, as did the spread of new forms of religion and the dominance of postmodernity-specific confusion. Augury, magic, ancient secrets, the texts of Abrahamic Religions, and the mystical beliefs of the Far East have been blended and commodified, particularly transforming into commercial fields of interest for educated masses. In the study, examples of hyperreality presented as religion through syncretic forms were examined on YouTube, the most followed digital platform worldwide; 50 videos from five different YouTube channels were evaluated using thematic content analysis, and the findings were discussed within the framework of Baudrillard's Postmodern Media Theory. In the analyzed videos, promises of healing, weight loss, happiness, strengthening faith, etc., were made, and it was observed that Islamic content was added to Buddhist practices and indicators in an effort to engage a Muslim audience. The findings of the study exemplify post-truth practices in terms of the syncretization of different belief systems, providing detailed data especially for researchers working on New Age cults.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• New Age
• Postmodernism
• Hyperreality
• Occultism
• Islam

Senkretik Hipergerçeklikte Yeni Çağ İnanışların İslami Formları

Öz

Hakikati insanın inşa edebileceğini vaat eden sekülerizmin çağı sona ermese de gelinen nokta; mistik ve paranormal inançlara eğilimin arttığı, yeni dini formların yaygınlaştığı, postmoderniteye özgü muğlaklığın ve karmaşanın hakimiyeti olmuştur. Fal, büyü, kadim sırlar, semavi dinlerin metinleri ve Uzakdoğu’nun mistik inanç biçimleri harmanlanarak emtia haline getirilmiş, özellikle de eğitimli kitlelerin ilgi gösterdiği ticari alanlara dönüşmüştür. Çalışmada, senkretik formlara dönüştürülerek din olarak sunulan hipergerçekliğin örnekleri, dünya genelinde en çok takip edilen dijital mecra YouTube’da araştırılmış; incelenen beş ayrı YouTube kanalındaki 50 video tematik içerik analiz yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiş ve bulgular Baudrillard’ın Postmodern Medya Kuramı çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır. Analiz edilen videolarda şifalandırma, kilo verme, mutluluk, imanın güçlendirilmesi vb. vaatlerde bulunulmuş, Budizm’e özgü uygulama ve göstergelere, İslami içerikler eklenerek Müslüman bir kitleden etkileşim alma çabası içerisinde olunduğu gözlenmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları, birbirinden farklı inanç sistemlerinin senkretik bir hale getirilmesi bakımından post-truth pratiklerine örnek teşkil etmekte, özellikle New Age kültleri üzerine çalışan araştırmacılar için detaylı veriler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• New Age
• Postmodernizm
• Hipergerçeklik
• Okültizm
• İslam

Kaynakça

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