Dr Aled Thomas
@aledjllthomas.bsky.social
Lecturer in Religious Studies at University of Leeds. New/minority religions. Socialist. I love cats, coffee, and off-kilter pop music. He/him. 🖖
Pinned
Dr Aled Thomas
@aledjllthomas.bsky.social
· Nov 21
New book on ‘cult’ rhetoric in the 21st century
The Centre for Religion and Public Life is pleased to announce the publication of ‘Cult’ Rhetoric in the 21stCentury: Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements
ahc.leeds.ac.uk
Suppose I should share publication stuff on Bluesky!
This summer @edwardg-h.bsky.social and I published our edited volume, 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century, the first book of a new Bloomsbury/Inform series. Find out more and access a short sample here!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/philosophy/n...
This summer @edwardg-h.bsky.social and I published our edited volume, 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century, the first book of a new Bloomsbury/Inform series. Find out more and access a short sample here!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/philosophy/n...
It's with profound sadness that I write that my father, Vernon, passed away on Tuesday; he was 62.
We were fortunate to spend his last few days in his company - reminiscing and playing his favourite Queen records. He knew that he was loved by us all.
I'll always be proud to be Vernon Thomas' son.
We were fortunate to spend his last few days in his company - reminiscing and playing his favourite Queen records. He knew that he was loved by us all.
I'll always be proud to be Vernon Thomas' son.
October 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
It's with profound sadness that I write that my father, Vernon, passed away on Tuesday; he was 62.
We were fortunate to spend his last few days in his company - reminiscing and playing his favourite Queen records. He knew that he was loved by us all.
I'll always be proud to be Vernon Thomas' son.
We were fortunate to spend his last few days in his company - reminiscing and playing his favourite Queen records. He knew that he was loved by us all.
I'll always be proud to be Vernon Thomas' son.
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
I am heading to #IAHR in Krakow today!
I started a google map for vegan friendly spots in Krakow (I have a few more spots to verify and add): www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/e... in case it is helpful for anyone!
I started a google map for vegan friendly spots in Krakow (I have a few more spots to verify and add): www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/e... in case it is helpful for anyone!
Krakow - IAHR - Google My Maps
Dining and meetup ideas for IAHR, focused on vegan friendly options and outdoor or open air spaces.
www.google.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I am heading to #IAHR in Krakow today!
I started a google map for vegan friendly spots in Krakow (I have a few more spots to verify and add): www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/e... in case it is helpful for anyone!
I started a google map for vegan friendly spots in Krakow (I have a few more spots to verify and add): www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/e... in case it is helpful for anyone!
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
It's official! We have confirmed a date for the book launch! Wednesday 5th November 2.30pm at OCHS, Oxford.
Who's coming? 😃🙋♀️
@ruthwestoby.bsky.social @jimmallinson.bsky.social @mccutcheonsays.bsky.social @wedossett@bsky.social @philipdeslippe.bsky.social @aledjllthomas.bsky.social
Who's coming? 😃🙋♀️
@ruthwestoby.bsky.social @jimmallinson.bsky.social @mccutcheonsays.bsky.social @wedossett@bsky.social @philipdeslippe.bsky.social @aledjllthomas.bsky.social
August 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
It's official! We have confirmed a date for the book launch! Wednesday 5th November 2.30pm at OCHS, Oxford.
Who's coming? 😃🙋♀️
@ruthwestoby.bsky.social @jimmallinson.bsky.social @mccutcheonsays.bsky.social @wedossett@bsky.social @philipdeslippe.bsky.social @aledjllthomas.bsky.social
Who's coming? 😃🙋♀️
@ruthwestoby.bsky.social @jimmallinson.bsky.social @mccutcheonsays.bsky.social @wedossett@bsky.social @philipdeslippe.bsky.social @aledjllthomas.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
The programme for our online conference is now live! #BASR2025 basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
BASR Annual Conference 2025
Religion, Space and Place Friday 5th September, 2025. Online, hosted by the Open University. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Click Here The BASR is pleased to be supporting the quinquennial IAHR confe…
basr.ac.uk
August 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The programme for our online conference is now live! #BASR2025 basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
For those attending the upcoming IAHR congress, we are delighted to share details of the INFORM panel which will feature at the event!
We're very excited to present on these insightful topics and to showcase the importance of INFORM's work, and we hope to see some of you in attendance!🗺️📚
We're very excited to present on these insightful topics and to showcase the importance of INFORM's work, and we hope to see some of you in attendance!🗺️📚
July 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
For those attending the upcoming IAHR congress, we are delighted to share details of the INFORM panel which will feature at the event!
We're very excited to present on these insightful topics and to showcase the importance of INFORM's work, and we hope to see some of you in attendance!🗺️📚
We're very excited to present on these insightful topics and to showcase the importance of INFORM's work, and we hope to see some of you in attendance!🗺️📚
Paper ready for next month's #IAHR World Congress. Looking forward to being part of the @informreligion.bsky.social panel!
July 24, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Paper ready for next month's #IAHR World Congress. Looking forward to being part of the @informreligion.bsky.social panel!
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
It's me with the Darbs!!!!
Courtesy of Steve and Rhys Darby. Last night in Nottingham
May 31, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It's me with the Darbs!!!!
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
I finally watched Conclave. I like that Ralph Fiennes has the same energy as Kermit the Frog trying to keep The Muppet Show from going off the rails.
May 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I finally watched Conclave. I like that Ralph Fiennes has the same energy as Kermit the Frog trying to keep The Muppet Show from going off the rails.
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
My PhD thesis ‘The satanic cult conspiracy: how online conspiracy theory discourses construct moral panic’ is now up on WREO: etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/36...
May 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
My PhD thesis ‘The satanic cult conspiracy: how online conspiracy theory discourses construct moral panic’ is now up on WREO: etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/36...
"An island of strangers" is a racist thing to say. What makes them more 'strange' than anyone else I don't know, Starmer?
Keir Starmer says immigration system is “almost designed to permit abuse” and that it risks “pulling the country apart”.
PM says UK needs tougher rules to reduce immigration significantly or it risks becoming “an island of strangers”.
PM says UK needs tougher rules to reduce immigration significantly or it risks becoming “an island of strangers”.
May 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
"An island of strangers" is a racist thing to say. What makes them more 'strange' than anyone else I don't know, Starmer?
The ways some will defend the Stanford Prison Experiment's lack of ethical integrity simply because it fits their agenda honestly beggars belief.
April 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The ways some will defend the Stanford Prison Experiment's lack of ethical integrity simply because it fits their agenda honestly beggars belief.
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
Am I the only one reading White House tweets in Bane’s voice in my head?
April 10, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Am I the only one reading White House tweets in Bane’s voice in my head?
Congratulations to Bethan on an excellent thesis and viva performance! Well earned! 🎓
Big thank you to my examiners Aled Thomas @aledjllthomas.bsky.social & David Robertson @davidgrobertson.bsky.social ! And my amazing supervisors Caroline Starkey @carostarkey.bsky.social , Mike Finn & Mel Prideaux 🖤
I PASSED MY PHD VIVA!!! Introducing Dr Oake
April 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Congratulations to Bethan on an excellent thesis and viva performance! Well earned! 🎓
Mr Brightside
Fuck your favourite song. Tell me your least favourite song. The one that makes you die inside the moment you hear the first 3 seconds.
March 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Mr Brightside
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
As is our usual custom in an IAHR year, we will be running our annual conference for 2025 over a single day. This year we have also chosen to run the conference online, in the hope of widening participation. The theme will be Religion, Space, and Place. #basr2025
basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
BASR Annual Conference 2025
Religion, Space and Place Friday 5th September, 2025. Online, hosted by the Open University. The BASR is pleased to be supporting the quinquennial IAHR conference in Krakow this year and we hope t…
basr.ac.uk
March 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
As is our usual custom in an IAHR year, we will be running our annual conference for 2025 over a single day. This year we have also chosen to run the conference online, in the hope of widening participation. The theme will be Religion, Space, and Place. #basr2025
basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
basr.ac.uk/2024/01/11/b...
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
The latest issue of our journal, JBASR, on the theme of Environmental Endings and Religious Futures has just been published, with a lead article by Catherine Wessinger @thebasr.bsky.social www.jbasr.com/ojs/index.ph...
Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religion (JBASR)
Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religious
www.jbasr.com
March 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The latest issue of our journal, JBASR, on the theme of Environmental Endings and Religious Futures has just been published, with a lead article by Catherine Wessinger @thebasr.bsky.social www.jbasr.com/ojs/index.ph...
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
*BOOKING NOW OPEN*
Booking for the forthcoming INFORM seminar is officially open! For details on how to secure your place visit the linktree in our bio!🔗
Information regarding speakers TBC soon. We hope to see you there!📅
Booking for the forthcoming INFORM seminar is officially open! For details on how to secure your place visit the linktree in our bio!🔗
Information regarding speakers TBC soon. We hope to see you there!📅
March 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
*BOOKING NOW OPEN*
Booking for the forthcoming INFORM seminar is officially open! For details on how to secure your place visit the linktree in our bio!🔗
Information regarding speakers TBC soon. We hope to see you there!📅
Booking for the forthcoming INFORM seminar is officially open! For details on how to secure your place visit the linktree in our bio!🔗
Information regarding speakers TBC soon. We hope to see you there!📅
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
You can’t invoke Thatcher in 2025, that’s bananas. That’s wacky if you’re a Tory, let alone Labour. Look what she’s done. Look at the fucking state of everything. At one point she said Blair was her greatest creation. It’s not true anymore, her greatest creation is now Starmer.
January 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
You can’t invoke Thatcher in 2025, that’s bananas. That’s wacky if you’re a Tory, let alone Labour. Look what she’s done. Look at the fucking state of everything. At one point she said Blair was her greatest creation. It’s not true anymore, her greatest creation is now Starmer.
The BASR is now on Bluesky!
The British Association for the Study of Religions is now on Bluesky! 🦋
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
January 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The BASR is now on Bluesky!
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
The British Association for the Study of Religions is now on Bluesky! 🦋
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
January 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The British Association for the Study of Religions is now on Bluesky! 🦋
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
Stay tuned for more updates on our conferences, projects, bulletin and academic journal. All available here: www.basr.ac.uk
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
CARTOON OF THE DAY
January 23, 2025 at 4:11 AM
CARTOON OF THE DAY
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
She really is!!
January 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
She really is!!
Reposted by Dr Aled Thomas
Lammy praises Trump’s “incredible grace & generosity” on #BBCR4today. His earlier verdict was more accurate (“dishonest, xenophobic”). A man who made “criminal efforts” to overturn 2020 election result, who will trash climate & nature & threaten minorities. Solidarity with all who feel fear today
January 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Lammy praises Trump’s “incredible grace & generosity” on #BBCR4today. His earlier verdict was more accurate (“dishonest, xenophobic”). A man who made “criminal efforts” to overturn 2020 election result, who will trash climate & nature & threaten minorities. Solidarity with all who feel fear today
Our panel for the IAHR conference has been accepted! Who will I be seeing there? I've not visited Karków before, so I'm rather excited. 🥳
January 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Our panel for the IAHR conference has been accepted! Who will I be seeing there? I've not visited Karków before, so I'm rather excited. 🥳