The document discusses the impact of mass communication on religion. It notes that while religion is a universal and permanent part of human society, mass media has both positive and negative impacts. Positively, media makes religion more accessible and helps update religious literature. However, it has also increased religious diversity and decreased religious affiliation and participation. Some effects include fewer people attending church or identifying with a religion, more interfaith marriages, and less emphasis on religious traditions and taboos. Media has also spread scientific knowledge that challenges some religious beliefs.

1. Impact of mass communication on Religion

2. Introduction
• Religion is not a phenomenon of recent emergence. Its beginning is
unknown.
• Man, the social animal, is also a religious or spiritual being.
• Religion and Morality which formulate and shape all of us.
• Religions is not only the most influential forces of social control, but also
the most effective guides of human behaviour.
• Religion revolves round man’s faith in the supernatural forces.
• Religion is a concrete experience which is associated with emotions,
especially with fear, awe, or reverence.
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

3. Definition
• James G. Frazer considered religion a belief in “powers superior to man
which as believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human
life”.
• MacIver and Page have defined, “Religion as we understand the term,
implies a relationship not merely between man and women but between
man and some higher power”.
• According to Ogburn, “Religion is an attitude towards superhuman
powers”.
• Durkheim defines religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices
relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden”.
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

4. Characteristics of Religion
• Religion is Universal
• Religion is permanent
• Religion is pervasive
• Religion is perennial interests of man
• Religion dogmas have influenced and conditioned economic
endeavours, political movements, property dealings, educational
tasks, ideological fervours, scientific inventions and artistic
developments.
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

5. Basic components of Religion
• Belief in supernatural forces.
▫ People believe in several kinds of forces and accordingly worship them all.
• Man’s adjustment with the supernatural forces.
▫ Man believes that he is at the mercy of the supernatural forces.
• Acts, defined as righteous and sinful or sacred and the profane.
▫ The good or the righteous acts are believed to bring man good results,
while the sinful acts results in disaster.
• Some methods of salvation.
▫ It is regarded as ultimate aim of a devotee.
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

6. Functions of Religion
• Religion provides religious experience
• Religion provides peace of mind
• Religion promotes social solidarity, unity and identity
• Religion conserves the value of life
• Religion – as a agent of social control
• Religion promotes welfare
• Religion provides recreation
• Religion enhances self-importance
• Religion explains individual suffering and helping to integrate personality
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

7. Dysfunctions of Religion
• Religion inhibits protests and impedes social changes
• Impedes the development of new identities and progress
• Religion creates confusions, contractions and conflict
• Religion promotes evil practices
• Religion promotes superstitious beliefs
• Religion wrecks unity
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

8. Media and Religion

9. Media and Religion
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

10. P
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11. Programs
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

12. Positive impacts
• Easy to understand their own Religion
• Updating their Religion
• Help to save their valuable literature

13. Negative Impacts
• Increased diversity
• Fewer attend church
• Fewer say they belong to a religion
• More out-marriage
• Not considered the taboos, scarified, forbidden etc.
• Less value to religious ceremonials and customs
• Scientific knowledge
• Number of priest is increased
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

14. General impacts
• Decrease of Religiosity
• Increase of religious passion
• Spread of communalism
• Consequences of religious beliefs and practices
• Mass religious conversion
• Religions Getting modernized
• Proliferation of sects (“cult” and “brainwashing” has been partly
constructed and inculcated mass media).
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

15. Thank you
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN