Kathryn Lofton, a professor of American and religious studies at Yale, spoke Thursday evening about culture’s influence on religion. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

This semester’s first Scott-Hawkins lecture began Thursday with speaker Kathryn Lofton, a professor of American and religious studies at Yale and author of “Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon.”

Lofton’s lecture, “Oprah’s Diverting Conversions: The Makeover as Social Rite,” explored the relationship between American culture and religion.

Dozens of students came out to hear Lofton speak about culture’s influence on religions, as well as religion’s influence on culture, while using the work of Oprah Winfrey to tie it all together.

To start off the night, Lofton read excerpts from her book, giving students a glimpse into the world of Oprah.

Winfrey’s show can be described at times as an hour-long therapy session, explained Lofton.

“At every turn there is a hub of self-love and a slap of self-scrutiny,” Lofton said about the show.

Lofton claimed that Winfrey’s gift was not her interviewing techniques but rather her own imperfections.

She possesses the uncanny ability to know when to reveal her own personal experiences to relate to her guests.

“Oprah does more than merely present an idea,” Lofton said, “she converts you to an idea.”

Lofton referred to Winfrey’s show as a makeover, geared towards helping her guest become the people they are supposed to be.

Though, Winfrey does this through excessive gift giving and implying that the enshrinement of goods possesses spiritual capacities to transform someone.

“It is a ritual spectacle, with attempts to heal her guests,” Lofton said.

Until the Oprah phenomenon of compulsive consumption and ritual healing catches on to the rest of the world, Lofton says: “We are all trapped in her makeover dreams.”

The Religious Studies Club of SMU sponsored the lecture.

“The goal of the Religious studies club at SMU is to explore different religions in the world and promote tolerance,” Wesleigh Ogle, the president of the club, said.