A presentation about Nic Cage, the One True God.

1. Praise the Cage
When Fandom Becomes Religion

2. Geertz’s Definition
• A System of Symbols
• Acts to Establish Moods and Motivations
• By formulating a general order of existence with
• Such an aura of factuality that
• The moods and motivations seem realistic

3. In Layman’s Terms…
• Things that convey meaning
• That create feelings and behaviours
• By providing a reason for existence
• Appears as the only ‘true’ meaning
• Is the underlying foundation of everyday life

4. Symbols

5. Feelings and Behaviours
“I wake up in the morning,
and watch a different Cage
film, praying the whole
time.”
“Every Sunday we light
candles to his image and
watch Ghost Rider…”
“I have pictures of him
everywhere and pray to him
twice a day.”
“I watch Con-Air every
morning, and The Rock at
night. I pray to our Lord at
least twice a day.

6. Feelings & Behaviours

7. A Reason Why The Universe Exists
“The Cage performed a Divine Pelvic
Thrust, and the Universe was created at
great speed…”
- The Cat of Creation, n.d

8. Belief That This is the Only True Faith
“If the people do not follow my word…They
will become infested with bees and die!”
- The Cat of the Hive, n.d
“Our faith shall never fall, for with
you, our souls are free.”
- The Cat of Decay, n.d

9. Is The Foundation of Everyday Life
“They drafted the Ten Demandments, which are to
be followed by everyone who worships the Cage…”
-The Cat of Discovery, n.d
“3: Thou shalt not fall prey to John Travolta or his evil minons…”
-The Cat of Discovery, n.d
“6: Thou shalt beware of the bees...”
-The Cat of Discovery, n.d
“8:…thou shalt actively and peacefully preach and promote the
worship of the Lord Nicolas Cage.”
-The Cat of Discovery, n.d

10. It Ticks the Boxes…
By Geertz’s definition, Cagenism can be
considered a religion.
However, this is not a perfect definition nor
analysis.

11. Challenging Common Perception
• Religion: Beliefs and practices held by many.
• Cult: Beliefs and practices held by few.

12. Despite The Absurdity
Despite Its Ridiculousness
It Is Exceptional
It Is Nic Cage.

13. References
Berger, P. (1967). The Sacred Canopy. America: Anchor Books.
Chernus, I. N.d. Religion as a Cultural System: The Theory of Clifford Geertz. Retrieved from
http://www.colorado.edu/ReligiousStudies/chernus/4800/GeertzSummary.htm
Geertz, C. (1993) Religion as a Cultural System. New York, Fontana Press.
Winter, A. N.d. The Cat of Creation. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D-
2uPpYtf_xSMwuVe7BevUY4kiMvFf4Pf7ErVom2P60/edit?usp=sharing
Winter , A. N.d. The Cat of the Hive. Retrieved from
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LaM946pi92KbDQfODVVbbi6bjQlw7iGmSHPjHgen7e8/edit?usp=s
haring
Winter , A. N.d. The Cat of Decay. Retrieved from
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KfhJW1Fq6qsOhQoQArIzHs3WJQzwbWAFDe_zXGdJl1U/edit?usp
=sharing
Winter , A. N.d. The Cat of Discovery. Retrieved from
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17FfDndFAUAA8qgb4fO9Ycr5XDrXHUiTgy2sIJ-uTHak/
edit?usp=sharing

14. Additional Data I
89%
Do you believe Nicolas Cage is the One True God?
11%
0%
No.
Yes, but only as a joke.
Yes, I am of true faith.

15. Additional Data II
92%
8%
No.
Yes.
Do you believe Nicolas Cage is the creator of the universe
and all that exists and occurs within?