The role of the media in the spread of new religious movements in the case of spiritualism

This thesis analyses New Religious Movements, Spiritualism within these movements and their visibility in the media. Because the need to believe, which is at the centre of these movements, has been an important element shaping the individual and social structure throughout human history; it has influenced a wide range of areas from the daily lives of individuals to state administration, feeding on systems such as astrology, mythology, totemism and paganism; however, the attrition of traditional religions during the First and Second World Wars reduced the importance and visibility of belief, especially in Western societies. This situation led to a search for new sacredness in the West, which was tired of war, religion and hard work. For these reasons, new religious movements emerged, and with them an interest in Spiritualism. In line with this interest, this thesis first reviews and analyses the literature on the subject and discusses how and to what extent New Religious Movements and Spiritualism have influenced individuals and societies. In addition, the presence of New Religious Movements and Spiritualism in the media has been researched and other spiritual productions in the media, especially the film Eat, Pray, Love - 2011, have been discussed. In this direction, the thesis focuses on New Religious Movements and Spiritualism and deals with the contact of individuals living in relation to the media with these religious movements.