Religion and the new technology [View all]

[Thats my opinion]

My week was spent at a local seminary which hosted a conference on “the emerging church.” This young movement is composed of pastors and theological teachers from across the nation who are disillusioned with the traditional denominations, and who are looking for ways to build congregations around a new post-modern theology. The theme of the conference centered on ways to understand Process theology in building progressive religious institutions.

Instead of focusing on the theological implications of the conference, I want to reflect on the technological style of this group of young religious leaders, practically all of whom were in their 20s.

While world-respected theologians were speaking, I observed practically every participant sitting before open laptops. I have seen that before, but in this case the members of the group were also looking at their smart phones, most of them texting. They also had open a third screen reading a book or some other document. In addition many of them were taking pen and ink notes and listening to the lecture. During the question periods it was obvious that they were deeply tuned in to the lecture.

Here is my question. As you think about religious, theological or philosophic issues, what is the way modern technology influences your thinking? Current studies indicate that a difference or a change in technology alters the way the brain processes information. How have these new tools affected how you think?