A quick summary of some of the themes evident in contemporary culture that have deeply embedded religious roots:

1) psychological searches for self-knowledge, purpose, identity, or meaning

2) supernatural or mythic elements that are cultural metaphors (such as vampires text annotation indicator in horror films)

3) truth revelations and characters either servicing or suppressing the truth

4) heroic vocation or calling

5) concern for victims or looking at things from the victim's point of view

6) potential for good or evil

7) identifying and/or challenge of systemic evil

8) reactions to vulnerability in the face of uncontrollable forces

9) social and religious criticism

10) de-mythologizing and re-mythologizing

11) questions of "Why?" such as "when bad things happen to good people" (i.e. theodicy)

12) issues of what is proper ethical conduct in any given circumstance