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August 20, 2004

What Would Buffy Do? by Riess, Jana

Filed under: Pop Culture | Buy on Amazon

At the beginning of the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xander Harris tells Buffy, "When it's dark and I'm all alone and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?' You're my hero."

It's with this mindset that What Would Buffy Do? explores the spiritual choices made in a show deemed public enemy number one by the Parents' Television Council (beating out Temptation Island). With the vamps, witches and spells Buffy doesn't look like the most educational show on TV. But beneath the surface the characters face deep questions and make powerful choices, often choosing to fight for whatever good there may be in the world. What Would Buffy Do? examines those choices about redemption, sacrifice and grace, delving into Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Wicca and more.

It's a deeper journey into the world of vampire slayage, proving that it doesn't have to be mindless TV.

As a whole the book is well researched and balanced. It's not a Christian book trying to invest meaning in the series or discount the occurrences of the occult. It examines every spiritual discipline alluded to in the series in a search for deeper meaning. This isn't The Gospel According to Buffy.

More:

For a quick overview, check out the Dick Staub interview with author Jana Riess.

Don't Be Stuffy About Buffy � a confession/defense for watching Buffy.

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