Global Media, Global Religion: Research on Popular Media and the Remaking of Religions

Understanding Media and Religion
Presentation to the Religious Communication Congress 2010
Chicago, April 7, 2010
Stewart M. Hoover
Nabil Echchaibi
Center for Media, Religion, and Culture
University of Colorado at Boulder, USA

Workshop Schedule
Overview of Media and Religion Research
Islam and the Media
Comparing Christian and Muslim Media

Themes of the day: Religion persists Media frame and define religion Media and religion converge Religion in popular culture Religious authority and the “common culture” Globalization Media and global conflict Religion “mediatized ”

Mediation vs Mediatization
All religions are mediated
Mediatization means something new and different is produced through interaction with modern media

Religious Change
The decline of institutions and—more importantly—of institutional authority
The rise of the individual quest in matters of faith— and “spirituality”

Media Change
Media are autonomous
Media are diversified
Media are concentrated
Media increasingly function to satisfy religious “demand”

The Digital Revolution
Empowers the “quest,” further undermines traditions and institutions
Fluid
Protean
Interactive
User-generated
“ Pull” rather than “push”
New communities and networks
Still evolving

Stars and Spiritualities

Religion vs “The Religious”
“ The Religious” as aesthetic practice
about consumption, tastes, sensibilities

Religious Authority Contested
Lose control over their own symbols

Authority becomes relativized within a “market-place of symbols”

Authority relativized within a “market-place of symbols”
Authority relativized by a multiplicity of authorities

Authority relativized within a “market-place of symbols”
Authority relativized by a multiplicity of authorities—and by themselves

Implicit, informal, banal religion flourishes
Ex: “New Age Rituals”

Globalization
Religious transnationalism
Emerging globalized popular cultures

New Forms and Terms of Public Discourse

“ The 9/12 Project” 9 “principles” and 12 “values 1. America Is Good 2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life 3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday 4. The family is sacred 5. If you break the law you pay the penalty

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness but there is no guarantee of equal results 7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with whom I want to 8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion 9. The government works for me I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

“ The 9/12 Project” 9 “principles” and 12 “values 1. honesty 2. reverence 3. hope 4. thrift 5. humility 6. charity

“ The 9/12 Project” 9 “principles” and 12 “values 7. sincerity 8. moderation 9. hard work 10. courage 11. personal responsibility 12. gratitude

Representations
YouTube - My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Now You Are Family (2)
Jesus Camp Trailer (2)
YouTube - Madonna Like a Prayer (2)
http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =V-iWrIBaq3Ys
Realism
7th Heaven Brave New World (Episode Clip) at TV.com (2)
YouTube - The Cross and The Switchblade 1 (2)
YouTube - Left Behind (The Movie) Part 01 of 11 (2)

Evangelical Popular Culture Muslim Media Cultures Categories Functions Relativism and Authenticity Multiple “modernities”

Evangelical Popular Culture

Muslim Media Cultures

Categories
Genres
Televised Church
Television ministries
Online ministries
Online “me-casting”
Structures
Independent
Institutionally (church) based
Charismatic leadership

Functions

Relativism and Authenticity

Multiple “Modernities”

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Global Media, Global Religion: Research on Popular Media and the Remaking of Religions

by Religion Communicators Council on Apr 16, 2010

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