The Religion of Life

The Religion of Life

While describing a variety of major American pop culture groups in his book Authentic Fakes, David Chidester writes “… these are all authentic fakes doing real religious work in forging a community, focusing desire, and facilitating exchange in ways that look just like religion” (Preface, viii). Chidester claims that religion is defined by these principles, and that any group maintaining these rules is essentially a religion, regardless of whether or not it is “authentic.” The “authentic fake” religions in Kūmāré and Seinfeld abide by the standards of religion as defined by Chidester. In Kūmāré, a group of unique individuals form a cohesive community centered around Kūmāré himself, focus on their personal desires, and make ritualistic and interpersonal exchanges with Kūmāré and one another. In Seinfeld, whether Festivus or Christmas, an obsession over exchanges that pertain to these religions is evident, and communities, both small and large, are brought together. Seinfeld is a sitcom about everyday, average life that, by Chidester’s definition, holds true to essential religious principles. Can one argue that everyday life, and life itself, is a religion? Some might say that an average, routine day is an eternal ritual practiced by those adhering to the religion of life.