About

My research is predominately in the field religion and social theory, specifically in the field of

improvisational conspiracy, the overlapping belief systems of apocalyptic Christian thought and

conspiracy theories, and the impact of these beliefs on the American political system. In my

doctoral work, my focus has been on the John Birch Society of the 1950s and 1960s and how

their form of improvisational conspiracism is linked to contemporary right-wing mobilization. I

also have an interest in religion and pop culture, specifically within subversive or marginalized

religious movements.

Education

PhD – Religious Studies, University of Waterloo

MA – Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University

Honours BA – Religion Specialist, University of Toronto

Blog Posts

    Publications

    [1] Manuscript Under Review. Title: God’s Angry Men. University Press Kansas



    [2] Contracted Chapter: The 1964 Presidential Election: Goldwater v. Johnson,


    Anti-intellectualism and Elitism in America: An Encyclopedia of Conflict}


    Editor: Dr. Tim Lacy


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication Date: January, 2021



    [3] Contracted Chapter: FOX NEWS: From Outfoxed to Hannity and Trump


    Anti-intellectualism and Elitism in America: An Encyclopedia of Conflict}


    Editor: Dr. Tim Lacy


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication Date: January, 2021



    [4] Contracted Chapter: The 2016 Presidential Election: Clinton v. Trump,


    Anti-intellectualism and Elitism in America: An Encyclopedia of Conflict


    Editor: Dr. Tim Lacy


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication Date: January, 2021



    [5] Chapter: Billy Graham,


    Religion and Contemporary Politics: A Global Encyclopedia


    Editor: Dr. Jeffrey Shaw


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication: September, 2019



    [6] Chapter: Religious Political Alliances,


    Religion and Contemporary Politics: A Global Encyclopedia


    Editor: Dr. Jeffrey Shaw


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication: September, 2019



    [7] Chapter: Freemasonry & Anti-Masonic Party


    Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories in American History


    Editor: Dr. Jeffrey Webb


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication: May, 2019



    [8] Chapter: Skull and Bones Society


    Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories in American History


    Editor: Dr. Jeffrey Webb


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication: May, 2019



    [9] Chapter: Televangelists


    Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories in American History


    Editor: Dr. Jeffrey Webb


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Publication: May, 2019



    [10] Chapter: Federal Election Commission v. Christian Action Network,


    Money in American Politics: An Encyclopedia


    Editor: Dr. David A. Schultz


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Published: June, 2018



    [11] Chapter: National Rifle Association,


    Money in American Politics: An Encyclopedia


    Editor: Dr. David A. Schultz


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Published: June, 2018



    [12] Chapter: Fighting “the System”: The Christian Identity Movement and the Turner Diaries,


    Understanding Angry Groups: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Their Motivations and Effects on Society


    Editors: Dr. Susan C. Cloninger , Dr. Steven A. Leibo


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


    Published: January, 2017



    [13] “Trump, God, Conspiracy and the End Times”


    Ecumenist a Journal of Theology, Culture, and Society


    Editor: Dr. David Seljak


    Publication: Winter, January, 2017



    [14]


    Chapter: Cage Fighting For Jesus – The Neo-Muscular Christianity Movement in Mixed Martial Arts,


    God and Popular Culture: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Entertainment Industry’s Most Influential Figure


    Editors: Dr. Stephen Murray, Dr. Aimee Upjohn Light


    Publisher: ABC Clio (Imprint: Praeger)


     

    Published: August, 2015


    2. NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

    [1] Regular contributor to Religion Dispatches a University of Southern California secular, independent

    online magazine that stands at the intersection of religion, politics, and culture.

    [¯2] Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels, Belgium and the Sochi Summit Department

    of Civil Society Studies, G8 Research Group at the Trinity College, Munk School of

    Global Affairs, University of Toronto Publication Date: July 2014 – Faith Based Organizations

    Curriculum Vita Carmen Celestini

    [3] Report on Civil Society and the 2013 G8 Lough Erne Summit and the Sochi Summit Department

    of Civil Society Studies, G8 Research Group at the Trinity College, Munk School of

    Global Affairs, University of Toronto Publication Date: May 2013 – Faith Based Organizations

    [4] Report on Civil Society and the 2012 G8 Camp David Summit Department of Civil Society

    Studies, G8 Research Group at the Trinity College, Munk School of Global Affairs, University

    of Toronto May 2012 – Faith Based Organizations

    http://g8live.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Final-Civil-Society-Camp-David-.pdf

    [5] Report on Civil Society and the 2011 G8 Deauville Summit Department of Civil Society Studies,

    G8 Research Group at the Trinity College, Munk School of Global Affairs, University

    of Toronto February 2012

    http://g8live.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Deauville-Civil-Society-Report.pdf

    [6] Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit Department of Civil Society Studies,

    G8 Research Group at the Trinity College, Munk School of Global Affairs, University

    of Toronto February 2011 – Faith Based Organizations

    http://g8live.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf

    Projects

    Currently working on a manuscript on The Camp Of Saints and the role of religion in the immigration policies of America.

     

    Memberships

    Member of the American Academy of Religion (AAR)

    Member of the North American Association for Study of Religion (NAASR)

    Member of the Society for Utopian Studies (SUS)

    Carmen Celestini

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