The Promotion of Devotion: Religion, Culture, and Communication

The first edition of The Promotion of Devotion: Religion, Culture, and Communication pioneered the nexus of spirituality and public relations, exploring religious-spiritual tourism and church-state partnerships; devotional-promotional campaigning; sports and religion; and art and the promotion of devotion. It provided readers with an A-list look at Elvis Presley, Princess Diana, and other celebrity "saints," fans and their love for Smokey Bear and superstar racehorse Barbaro, and cultural phenoms Marilyn Monroe and Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

In this revised second edition, the author revisits some of these topics with updates, expands others, and ventures into new territory. New chapters explore the death of Argentinian "soccer god" Diego Maradona, the resurrection of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following extensive fire damage, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic upon worship and social media.

Underscoring the important and influential nature of spirituality in society and exploring the many ways in which communication and faith intersect, The Promotion of Devotion is an ideal text for courses and programs in communication, religion, international studies, and culture.

Donn James Tilson, associate professor emeritus, School of Communication, University of Miami, is the leading scholar in religion and public relations. His cutting-edge research has explored devotion and campaigning, public relations and religious diversity, religion and tourism, and the role of faith in shaping social responsibility in early civilizations, Indigenous cultures, and contemporary society. He has lectured extensively on public relations and religion, including as a U.S. State Department Fulbright Scholar in interfaith dialogue (University of Ottawa). Dr. Tilson developed programming for a groundbreaking exhibition, Student Spiritual Treasures, at UM's Lowe Art Museum, the first of its kind on a college campus in the world.