Is Burning Man a Party or a Pilgrimage?
Every year, thousands of people head to Nevada's Black Rock Desert for a week at Burning Man. And while from the outside, it might seem like a place for partying, drugs, and debauchery, to many, it offers something deeper, even life changing.
October 16, 2022
37 min
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Episode 1 · October 16, 2022
Is Burning Man a Party or a Pilgrimage?
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Jew and Greek Episodes Around October 16, 2022
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37:43This episodeIs Burning Man a Party or a Pilgrimage?
Summary
<p><strong>Every year, thousands of people head to Nevada's Black Rock Desert for a week at Burning Man. And while from the outside, it might seem like a place for partying, drugs, and debauchery, to many, it offers something deeper, even life changing.</strong></p>
<p><strong>We’ll ask neuroscientist Molly Crockett and Episcopal minister Alex Leach, both burners themselves: Is Burning Man a new type of spiritual gathering? How and why does it deeply move people? And should more traditional faiths aim to have a bit more Burning Man in them? After all, Jesus went to the desert to find himself. Maybe we should too.</strong></p>
<p><strong>For more on Molly’s research, visit her <a href="http://www.crockettlab.org/news/2022/10/6/the-science-of-generosity-burning-man-project" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> or read her <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2014/sep/26/gifts-in-the-desert-psychology-burning-man-altruism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">article</a> in The Guardian. Alex Leach’s camp at Burning Man is <a href="https://religiousafcamp.com/about-burning-man/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Religious AF</a>. Special thanks to Alex for recording interviews and ambient audio for this episode at this year’s Burning Man.</strong></p>