Elizabeth Drescher’s article titled “Five Social Media Trends that are Reshaping Religion” appeared in the online magazine Religious Dispatch. The magazine focuses on publishing a medley of “expert opinion, in-depth reporting, and provocative updates from the intersection of religion, politics and culture.”
Drescher, who currently teaches religious studies at Santa Clara University, focuses her article on the affect that technology, specifically that having to do with social media, has on our current perceptions of religion. The main point that I found to be the most interesting was the inclusion of religious apps, or as Drescher terms them “O Holy Apps”, as a means of outreach for ministry services. However, what struck me as odd, was Drescher’s reference to the Confession App. Granted, apparently the Vatican has released a statement saying that the confession app is not a substitute for a real face to face confession, but the creation of the app still raises an interesting point. I personally do not think that a confession app is a viable option to replace a face to face interaction with a priest, but i have a feeling that as our society becomes more and more technologically saturated that people will eventually have no problem with it. To me, that seems a little scary.
I guess the main reason why I have reservations about such things as the confession app is because it allows us to retreat into a world were physical interaction with others is not necessary. We are social creatures and to be cut off from others, I think, would be extremely detrimental to our evolution as a species. I just don’t see technological advancements such as this app as being beneficial to humanity as a whole.
I didn’t really think much of the Confession app mentioned in the article, but you bring up a really good point. I was also trying to figure out a balance between the technology and spirituality Drescher writes of. You hit right on the spot when you said, “We are social creatures and to be cut off from others, I think, would be extremely detrimental to our evolution as a species. I just don’t see technological advancements such as this app as being beneficial to humanity as a whole.”
Being that we live in the Silicon Valley, all this technology is the norm and it is really cool. Yet, I also think it’s scary to see how our lives personally and socially have been shaped by it. The effects of technology on things so intimate like religion are debatable because it really depends on the view you take. If you’re all for tech, then this article is cool. But if you’re more for religion, then it might be offensive.
I totally agree with you about the confession app. I don’t think that it is a good idea to be confessing to your phone and believe that it is better than confessing to your priest. What I really don’t understand is where the data goes after your confession. Does it save on your phone or is it saved to some giant database, and who has access to the database? Overall, it is true that religion will move further into technology as the rest of society does, but it should not be a replacement for physical worship.