Religion and Media as a Topic of Religious Education

ABSTRACT

It is through the media-religion ecosystem that much of characteristics of contemporary religion are revealed. Contemporary religious education needs to address underlying religious meanings implicated in the relation of religion with modern media. In light of this perspective, this article suggests that the following characteristics of religion revealed in religion-media ecosystem be discussed in religious education. First, the expansionability of religion needs to be considered. In this consideration, one can speculate the question as to 1) how religion expands its area in modern media society, and 2) how socio-cultural-political factors are involved in that process. Second, this study posits religious media contents can be the epicenter of religious changes, and religious education can deal with this point. Also, religious education should account for the fabric of religious effects, i.e., whether the effects originate from the power of religion itself, or are mediated through social apparatuses and system, or are even subordinate to them. Then, this study suggests religious education include the relation between religion and the Internet. In the age of the Net, the wide spectrum and concrete reality of religion tend to manifest itself more clearly than ever. Given this point, religious education needs to address 1) the effect of the Internet on religion and 2) the issue of hybridity and the reconstruction of religious identity. Also, religion’s motivation of expanding its epistemologic area reflected on the concept of ‘spiritualization of the Internet can be a necessary topic of the religious education in the Net era. Lastly, this study suggests that religious phenomena considered in terms of cultural studies perspectives be included in the education about religion. In consideration of all theses points, religious education can address the unique landscape of the contemporary religion.