Mon 14 Aug 2006
Stephen offered a comment on my last post, with two more issues. Here’s my own take on them.
Issue 3: Authority
Following on from issue 2, as new religious communities develop in cyberspace, new authorities will emerge, as well as new structures of authority, that will be different from the structures of traditional religion. Heidi Campbell is working on how new media is affecting authority at four levels: authority of doctrine, authority of people, authority of scripture and authority of position (I think, Heidi please tell me if I’ve got it wrong). There are those with offline authority that have no online presence, just as there are many of us known in the cyberworld who are nameless offline. What impact cyber-institutions like Google and Technorati will do to traditional structures of authority is not yet fully known, though already they are treated with disdain by many traditional institutions (schools, journalists, bishops, etc).
Issue 4: Sacrament
Sacraments are material. The material is what the virtual world lacks. Those in present authority believe the church is wherever the word is preached and the sacraments are given. Can there be a church without sacraments? Can we do without sacraments?
I’m not so sure if online religion is calling for the end of material sacraments. After all, sacraments are only given locally. Therefore sacraments could also be integral in the “glocal” expression of religious community. If online religion calls the global to the local, then it can call the church to the sacrament.
Those who fear loss of the sacred material in the growth of cyberspace are fearing a replacement of real church with virtual church. Though many would not see that occurring – just that virtual church will change the reality of church, not take away real church altogether.
August 14th, 2006 at 21:53
Hi, Paul. I am so glad to have found your research and your blog. I am considering doing graduate studies, and since my primary business consists of providing production or instructional services regarding podcasting, I thought about combining my theological masters studies with later a PhD on the effect of digital social media, with a focus on podcasting, on the spread of religion, either in the world or in the US (I’m in Atlanta). If at all possible, I would like to be kept up to date on your research for Australia as I possibly start a long journey toward research for my own PhD. Please let me know if you would be amenable to that.
Additionally, I invite you to the online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006, to speak on any research you have compiled regarding religion and podcasting. We conduct seminars, workshops and networking events via audio/visual conference rooms in real time with people from all over the world.
In addition, you may be able to find people to interview or poll for your research. Our Virtual Podcasting Expo site is owned by an Australian Company with a worldwide list of members at 40,000+ (I believe). So we may be able to hook you up with more Australian based podcasters.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.