In this article, Cheong writes about people of faith starting to include 'microblogging rituals' in their religious practices. Some of the advantages of this are seen as that it helps to generate regular and heightened prayer awareness, a consistently present sense of sacred connectedness with other people of faith which leads to identifying a higher purpose and sense of community with other believers.
These aspects of microblogging can then, in turn, help those of faith be connected together and revitalise their religosity which, for people of faith, can assist in balancing out the rise of secularism, particularly in developed countries which are technologically advanced.
On the other hand, Cheong argues, this trend towards microblogging can be seen as having possible drawbacks such as the fact that it can detract from, or weaken, existing real time relationships and physical rituals, it is time consuming and can take a person's attention away from what is really happening in the present moment.
A possible solution to integrating these new media types into religious practices, as been suggested by some religious leaders, is to balance this current and emerging need to engage with audiences of new media with the traditional needs of quiet reflection, which is often found in Christianity through spiritual rites such as Holy Communion and the confession of sins.
Reference
http://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/viewArticle/223
This is an interesting post Meredith, well done. Very concise.
ReplyDeleteIn contemplation of my own blogging acticity is is clear that I have to motivate myself to blogg, it is not a natural desire. I think this indicates that for some people the activity of blogging would have very different outcomes. I feel forced, but (as suggested) others use this for religious reasons. I like how the article has mentioned both the possible positive and negative outcomes of blogging.
What does the dynamic look like in me? I wouldn't be suprised if my feelings towards blogging would change if I felt it contributed more to others etc. Yet I'm still sure that vitual relationships will never replace physical relationships. Perhaps if the two overlaped more I would use the internet for religious experience. In essence, there is a reason why I rarely traverse the internet and it's beacause it doesn't fulfil me, or serve to connect me to others.