Mr Benn Banasik

Benn Banasik is currently writing PhD thesis on perpetual journey in video games, explored through the lens of philosophical and theological thinkers.

Former Mayor of Wollondilly and current Councillor (2008-16, 24-Present) and Advisor to a Member of the NSW Parliament. Bachelor of Theology with Distinction awarded from Newcastle University including study modules from St Andrews Greek Orthodox Theological College Redfern. Honours first class awarded in 2016 with Faculty Medal for studies in the Bachelor of Arts.

PhD Thesis Abstract: This study seeks to investigate the new found prevalence of gaming experiences that welcome a constant, or perpetual, engagement. The study seeks to investigate the synonymous experiences of individuals who have ongoing religious experiences with players of certain video games. The study’s scope includes individuals from a broad range of religious experiences from a variety of traditions and players of a variety of genres including the classic arcades, as well as Elite: Dangerous, Final Fantasy VII, Pokémon, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Stardew Valley and World of Warcraft.

The Phd Focuses on an independent research project investigating the phenomena of perpetual games through the lens of philosophical and theological thinkers. The study tracks the concept of perpetual, or apophatic, religious experience. The focus tracks the concept of perpetual engagement through philosophical and theological thinkers such as Albert Camus, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Jacques Derrida, William James, Carl Gustav Jung, Jesper Juul, Moses Maimonides as well as Leo Tolstoy.

Benn's Honours thesis re-evaluated the scholarly attribution of ‘allegory’ to Origen’s nonliteral exegesis. It began by uncovering Origen’s Jewish and Hellenic historical context in the third century CE Caesarea Maritima. It then provides a more nuanced account of a plurality of nonliteral exegetical approaches such as Greek and Jewish uses of allegory, typology, as well as Midrash Pesher associated with the Dead Sea Scroll community. It concluded by arguing that Midrash Pesher better apprehends unique features of Origen’s own nonliteral exegetical approach, which aimed at the teleological meaning of sacred texts. 

Benn is currently focused on the Philosophy of Religion and Religious Belief. Applying this study as well as modern flow theory to Video Games, meditation and world religions. Benn has taught at a range of institutions and has experience in teaching Philosophy, World Religions, Philosophy of Religion, Virtual Religion, Theology, New Religious Movements and Atheism.