Beyond the five dimensions, sociologist Michael Elliott argues we should stop arguing about whether fandom is a religion and start looking at where the “sacred” shows up. He gives us seven signs. Here’s how they play out in my world
- It’s not ordinary. For some fans, their devotion is all-consuming. I spent three years on my first costume—hundreds of hours, countless skills learned. That’s not a casual weekend project. That’s a sacred object.
- It’s set apart. There’s a clear line between “us” and “them.” Insiders speak the language; outsiders don’t. That boundary creates belonging—but also exclusion.
- It separates sacred from profane. The sacred is what we revere; the profane is everything that threatens it. Online, this binary has gone toxic. People use angry, degrading language to punish anyone who “taints” what they hold sacred—whether it’s a character, a film, or an actor. It’s not just disagreement; it can become a digital witch hunt.
- It’s transcendent. Being a 501st Legionnaire isn’t casual. It’s a commitment to something bigger than yourself—a global brotherhood of costumors. Same goes for the small community of prop makers I’m part of. We’re not just selling parts; we’re sustaining a culture.
- It’s inspiring. Costumes change behaviour. Put on a Wookiee suit or a zombie stormtrooper, and suddenly you’re acting with a confidence and charisma you don’t have day-to-day. That’s transformative. It’s also why the public loves it—we’re not just wearing plastic; we’re performing joy.
- It provides meaning. The 501st’s motto is “Bad Guys Doing Good.” We troop for charity. As a prop maker, I’ve extended that: since 2022, I’ve donated monthly to LGBTQ youth charities in the US and UK. To me making costumes isn’t a business—it’s purpose.
- It shapes identity. Fandom intersects with who you are—your gender, race, age, politics. It’s not separate from your life; it’s woven into it.
I walked away from the Catholic Church because I couldn’t accept dogma. But I can’t ignore that my fandom has its own dogmas, its own sacred texts, its own fundamentalists. Recognising that is the first step to keeping the love alive without letting it turn toxic.
This post is adapted from my doctorate research on the intersection of religiosity and fandom.