Religion expands through technological outreach
America seems to live-streaming everything from innocuous craft videos to the teachings of Lord as technology finds its way into every remotely transcendental experience. An increasing number of religious institutions utilize technology in a way that really makes the Lord appear everywhere. Not only do people not need to “dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24) to pray by virtual sermons, but they can also access a lot of information regarding their religious pursuits from anywhere at any time.
According to “'Virtual preaching' transforms Sunday sermons” by John Blake at CNN, “A new generation of pastors […] can be in two places at one time. They are using technology -- high-def videos, and even holograms -- to beam their Sunday morning sermons to remote ‘satellite’ churches that belong to their congregation.”
It might sound a bit fantastic to make religion personal and accessible via internet, but it is increasingly common as audiovisual equipment advances.
In fact, while the Sunday sermons Blake refers on CNN are nominally Christian or Protestant, the idea of using technology to enhance the religious experience transcends religion itself. This practice can be found in lots of religious institutions, including temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.
Zaina Abdelrahman, who identifies as Muslim and prays five times a day, said, “Technology has granted access to electronic copies of religious books, podcasts, and resources to benefit ones spirituality. However, these are all privileges. I could very well pick up a hard copy of a religious book, walk to the nearest religious center for a lecture or ask elders for answers to questions.”
It comes down to the convenience of technology that religious institutions utilize. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Belmont regularly updates their Facebook page with prayer and sermon information. Temple Beth El in San Mateo livestreams services for members who cannot attend synagogue to pray. Anyone can download the app “Daily Dose of Jesus” on the iPhone to stay connected with the Bible throughout the day. And, as Abdelrahman says, religious texts and resources are accessible in mere moments through the internet.
It is a change from traditional practices, but teens are generally responding well to it.
At Peninsula Temple Beth El, they use televisions and other technology in their teen program. Longtime participant in the teen program Brandon Dompier-Norrbom said, “I believe [technology] has a positive impact on religion because it makes it easier to learn.”
Technology is naturally familiar and engaging to teens and young adults, so the reaction is general positivity towards using technology to enhance the religious experience.
“Personally, technology has positively impacted my interaction with my religion because of it luxurious benefits of quick and easy access to religious documents or answers to questions I have had answered by scholars,” said Abdelrahman.
On one hand, some could argue that technology makes interaction a little impersonal.
Prem Srivastava, the grandfather of a Carlmont student, practices the Hindu religion, said, “Technology has affected every aspect of life, and religion is no exception.”
He acknowledges how many people his age involved in any religion may have trouble diving into the idea of adding technology to faith.
“The moment you talk more liberal practices, and move away from the traditional way, there are many [people who dislike the prevalence of technology in religion],” said Srivastava.
Still, he finds his experience with religion only enhanced by technology.
“Technology can be used positively in teaching visually, and addressing to a bigger section of society, especially those who do not like going to the designated places of religion,” Srivastava said.
In fact, Blake’s CNN article cites elderly people as a group majorly impacted by enhancing the religious experience with technology because they are not always in the best physical condition or at optimal health to travel to a religious institution as often as they would like. With technology, sermons and religious resources can be “beamed” right to them.
While elderly people may appreciate tradition, the use of technology in religion actually enhances their experience as well, even if how it works is still a little intangible to them.
Additionally, it is useful to note that over the past few years the number of religious teens has actually decreased. According to Pew Research Center, “The recent decrease in religious beliefs and behaviors [in the United States] is largely attributable to the ‘nones’ – the growing minority of Americans, particularly in the Millennial generation, who say they do not belong to any organized faith.”