207b - Jason Boyett (Reprise)

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Jason Boyett about the concept of collective effervescence—a term originally coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim to describe the intense burst of shared energy and emotion that occurs when people gather for regular religious rituals. Boyett explains that this phenomenon is essentially a neurochemical event driven by group synchronization, which increases endorphins and expands personal experience beyond the individual. The conversation explores how this phenomenon mirrors experiences found in modern secular settings, such as mass sporting events like the FIFA World Cup or large-scale concerts. They further discuss the multi-faith nature of collective effervescence, drawing parallels with experiences in Muslim and Christian worship, while noting the decline of traditional community gatherings in contemporary culture.

Jason Boyett is a journalist and writer who has authored several books about religion and religious history. His writing has appeared in a variety of publications, from The Guardian to American Cowboy. He writes The Religiverse newsletter on Substack and is the cofounder of Brick & Elm, a regional magazine in the Texas Panhandle.