John M. Thompson

John M. Thompson is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Christopher Newport University. He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural and Historical Studies of Religion from the Graduate Theological Union, an MTS in Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics from Boston University, and a BA in Philosophy from The College of William and Mary.

• Education
  • PhD in Cultural and Hist Study of Religion, Graduate Theological Union
  • MTS in Philosophy, Theology, Ethics, Boston University
  • BA in Philosophy, The College of William and Mary

His research and teaching focus on Buddhism, Asian Religious Thought, Religion and Violence, Myth and Ritual, and the intersection of Religion with Popular Culture. He explores ethical dilemmas in Buddhist narratives, comparative philosophy, and spiritual themes in media.

Recent publications (2023-2015) analyze Buddhist ethics through Western pop culture (e.g., Batman), classical texts like the Lotus Sutra, and violence-redemption dynamics in the Aṅgulimāla story. Keywords span Buddhist Studies, Religious Ethics, and Narrative Theology.

He has presented at prestigious conferences including the American Academy of Religion and the Global Conference on Women and Gender. His work bridges academic rigor with accessible interpretations of spirituality in diverse contexts.