Meyrowitz's term media as environments deals
with the way human interaction is facilitated by the media and organised
institutions, such as religion (Hjarvard, 2008: 13). Development of
communication has undergone rapid change within Western contexts in previous
centuries: churches no longer inform small communities of worldly events; mass
media of TV and radio gave people information as it happened rather than when
it was reported, printed, and distributed; traditional media can no longer
condescend to people with the one-to-many broadcast with individuals
interacting with news and entertainment providers via the Internet.
Modes of communication mirror the change within
the Christianity where individuals' personal relationship with God is
increasing in prominence rather than the mediated, paternalistic sacramental
rites. As with the traditional media "one to many" facilitation,
traditional churches have adopted the same approach with one member of the
clergy presiding over rites; quoting from singular scripture passages; and his
opinions being touted at the pulpit. The "Born Again" sectors of
Christianity broadened communication ritual by using parishioners’ accounts of
their saviour as well as pastors and preachers. Further, the advent of social
media has extended the role of lay people with their views making up part of
chat rooms, on line communion, within meme images, and also questioning/
conversing with the institutions.
With a less rigid structure and authority,
memes, such as "Conclave Bingo" are distributed widely. This image
reflects the mediatization of religion in that it is transmitted
multi-directionally; religious content is treated as entertainment rather than
sacred; it satires religious and media institutions; people share in the
communal ritual of electing the new pope; it is contemporaneous; and it is
using the pop culture of memes. While Hjarvard's study showed it is not likely
to draw individuals to attend church ceremonies, it does demonstrate the
prevalence of religious themes in the media and individuals uses different
modes to express beliefs.
Hjarvard, S. 2008. "The Mediatization of Religion:
A Theory of the Media as Agents of Religious Change". Northern Lights.
6(1).
www.CatholicMemes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment