Religion & Media
Media technology has a complex relationship with religion. Many faith communities
have noticed that media messages on TV, film, video games, the Web, etc. can influence the attitudes
and behaviors of their followers in ways contrary
to religious teachings.
On the other hand, technology is providing these same faith communities with many new ways to reach more people with their message, plus new techniques (multi-media, music, etc.) to capture and hold an audience's attention, especially young people.
In late 2006, Fox Faith was launched, a new brand of Twentieth Century Fox’s home entertainment subsidiary that the studio giant is using to label and market family-friendly movies to Christian audiences.
If Christian churches find themselves with problems getting the word out, ChurchMarketingSucks.com, from the Center for Church Communication, uses the Web as a means of providing help.
To help
their followers reconcile the teachings of their faith with the "teachings" of our mediated world, many religious communities have developed extensive media literacy educational programs. Some have organized efforts aimed at media reform as a tool for civil and human rights, economic justice and social reform. This article describes speakers on the issue of faith communities and media at the 2005 National Conference for Media Reform.
Check out these organizations, online resources, speakers, and books on these subjects.
Organizations
Act One, Inc. is "a nonprofit organization that trains people of faith for careers in mainstream film and television...[and seeks to provide] special tools for Christians concerned with creating entertainment that will foster in viewers an encounter with God, a sense of connection with others, and deeper knowledge of self."
Center for Media Literacy CML’s Reading Room has excellent articles on faith-based media literacy. Also, utilizing its MediaLit Kit framework, the Center for Media Literacy "provides curricula, professional development, implementation and research to prepare educators, parents and children with the media literacy skills necessary to be enlightened, engaged citizens of a global media culture."
The
Center for Religion and Media at New York University. This group's
goal is to "develop and broaden interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
scholarship, pedagogy, and public knowledge of religion and media
at New York University. While this project was conceived before
September 11, that event and its aftermath have dramatized the need
for understanding the spread of religious ideas and practices through
a variety of media."
The
Jesuit Communication Project. The major work is to encourage,
promote and develop media education across Canada. Not strictly
a faith-based media education program, these materials were developed
by John Pungente, S.J. Excellent materials on film and television.
National Association of Catechetical
Media Professionals NACMP seeks to promote the development and
effective use of media in evangelization and catechesis throughout
the Catholic dioceses of the United States.
Pauline
Center for Media Studies The PCMS is a project of the Daughters
of St. Paul. Its focus is to develop and encourage media literacy
education for parents and teachers within the context of culture,
education and faith formation. I consider the director of their
West Coast office, Rose Pacatte, FSP, one of the most thoughtful
and articulate educators in media literacy. She's a fan of TV and
movies -- check out Sr.
Rose's Movie Blog.
The Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) magazine, Presbyterians Today, offers media reviews and study guides for various media programs.
SIGNIS is "the World Catholic Association for Communications," a non-governmental organization that includes members from 140 countries. It brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals. Click on Programs for the section on Media Education, one of its eight "priority programs."
United Church of Christ has highly developed programs around media issues. Their Media Empowerment Project "grows out of the United Church of Christ's historic commitment to civil rights in media advocacy. The project is grounded in the belief that struggles for social, racial and gender justice must address questions of media ownership, accountability and access in order to truly be effective."
The University
of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives creates and implements
innovative pastoral initiatives designed to meet the needs of the
Church and to articulate faith within the context of the contemporary
culture. Assistant director Sr. Fran Trampiets, SC is a nationally
known media literacy educator.
Online Resources
GlobalTolerance.com - Global Tolerance is a British "award- winning public relations consultancy and media training company for all organisations that have a positive social message they wish to spread through the media." It trains and advises groups how to increase and improve their media coverage, and runs websites and productions that build understanding between people of different backgrounds.
All global tolerance websites reflect our belief in creatively using digital technology to promote religious tolerance and inter faith dialogue.
Global tolerance is not affiliated to any political or religious belief system."
Media,
Culture and Religious Faith - This is an e-mail discussion group
about "the impact of electronic media and media-culture on
Christian faith and practice, and the contextualisation of Christian
faith in this new media culture." According to Sister Rose
Pacatte, advisor to MediaLiteracy.com, this list is " very
international and very inter-faith based. Media literacy is discussed
but it is one of many topics; justice and education are the prevalent
themes. You don't get many postings."
MovieMinistry.com provides "resources, Sermon Illustrations, Bible Studies, FilmTalk Cards and more to assist Pastors, Youth and Lay Leaders in using the power of film to communicate and discuss our relationships with God."
ReligionLink.org "helps journalists cover religion with balance, accuracy and insight." An excellent article on religion and film says, "Film has become an essential arena for theological discussion in today’s culture," and provides many links to other organizations and websites on religion and media.
Wisdom of the World: Media for a Meaningful Life is a California-based media production company that "creates and distributes resources designed to cultivate emotional and spiritual intelligence as we face the transitions of our lives. Using a proprietary technology, Wisdom of the World produces contemplative listening experiences which feature the world's spiritual and humanitarian leaders of our time." Spoken word audio, music and printed resources.
Books
Center
for Media Literacy. Media literacy pioneer and CML founder Elizabeth
Thoman is a Catholic sister, so her organization offers a rich and
varied selection of books, videos and teaching resources for different
faith communities, plus many excellent articles
for background reading.
Walter Armbrust. Mass
Mediations: New Approaches to Popular Culture in the Middle East
and Beyond. Examines how popular culture through mass media
defines the scale and character of social interaction in the Middle
East.
Dale Eickelman and Jon W. Anderson, editors:
New Media and the Muslin World: The Emerging Public Sphere.
How today's newest media—fax machines, satellite television,
and the Internet—and new uses of older media—audio and
video cassettes, cinema, pulp fiction, the telephone, and the press—reshaping
belief, authority, and community in the Muslim world
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