Sweetjoni’s Weblog

“Missed Church? Download it to your Ipod!” by Tania Ralli on NYTimes.com

This article showed how religions are beginning to embrace the technology of podcasts. Priests can now record their sermons and people download them. Most religious officials think this should supplement a believer’s practices. They think podcasts are especially good for someone who is too busy to go to church. The article also discussed how the religious section of podcast websites are growing.

I think that religion should be a choice, and participating in its practices should be an enjoyable part of life, not something to do whenever you have the time. Although I think these podcasts are pretty cool, I love how on-the-go everything is now, but I don’t think technology can replace actual religious experiences and practices. I also know that religion is supposed to create a community. If one is just listening to the podcast of a sermon, he or she is not participating in the community that is religion. The people listening to these sermons, as opposed to going to church, are isolating themselves. Although I feel community is one of the most important aspects of religion, I also feel that personalizing your religious experience is important, too. In regards to echurches and such, its about the personal feelings. If an echurch can evoke the same feelings that a physical church can, then I see no harm in it. I’m torn on this issue. It is the community vs. self conflict that I felt while playing Animal Crossing.

Virtual reality… does it help or hinder the religious experience? As an athiest, I don’t really know.

-Joni