"The paper will sketch first some developments and indicate directions in the field of social communication to clarify developments which shape our communication situation in a digital world as the environment wherein evangelization takes place. This will be followed, second, by presenting two missi
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on documents and their communication consequences and show—third—how this is reflected in the Asian church. The paper concludes—fourth—by reflecting on the need for a proper communication spirituality to be based on a mission spirituality as proposed by Pope John Paul II." (Page 103)
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"In this book, Fr. Antonio Spadaro, SJ, Director of the Italian Journal La Civiltà Cattolica, attempts to address a new phenomenon – Cybertheology. If theology is talking about God, Cybertheology is the way in which God is talked about on the Internet. Spadaro’s background is in literary critic
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ism, theology and philosophy and he draws on a wide variety of sources in order to explain his premise. He hopes to begin to answer some of the questions that have arisen: What is the significance of the Internet for the faith? In which world do we live? Is it the same one that it used to be? What is the answer to “where do we live?” Today, we also inhabit a digital space, what is its significance for the faith in which values are adopted from the fact that ‘The Word was made flesh and came amongst us.’ How is the cyberworld changing our world, and what is its impact on faith? Using theorists from anthropology, philosophy, theology, sociology and the Internet – as well as literary sources, the author attempts to answer the questions he has posed, noting that not everything about the Web is new, least of all the theories that are associated with it today." (Publisher description)
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"Digital Religion offers a critical and systematic survey of the study of religion and new media. It covers religious engagement with a wide range of new media forms and highlights examples of new media engagement in all five of the major world religions. From cell phones and video games to blogs an
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d Second Life, the book provides a detailed review of major topics; includes a series of case studies to illustrate and elucidate the thematic explorations; considers the theoretical, ethical and theological issues raised." (Publisher description)
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"We have surveyed the history of the study of new media and religion, identified heuristic perspectives helpful in organizing current scholarship, and appraised methodologies employed in the study. The study of new media and religion has evolved from extreme utopian/dystopian discourses to a better
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understanding of the observable effects of new media, to incorporating into its scholarship diverse disciplines—hence the “protestantization” of the field. Perspectives on religion and the Internet vary within religious traditions, as the diversity of thought within Christian uses demonstrates. Current heuristic perspectives in the study include the Internet as an information dissemination medium, the relationship between online and offline religion, the potential influence of online religion on offline religion, the distinction between online-religion and religion-online, and observations of the Internet medium itself. Researchers emply both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the study of new media and religion, with each methods having its advantages." (Conclusion, page 16)
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The Network is designed for scholars, students and those interested in exploring topics and questions emerging at the intersections of religion, the internet and new, social and mobile media. The Network offers an interactive space for researchers and others wishing to learn more about this growing
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research area to share related resources and highlight news items as well as events. Users can engage with key research sources and information integral to this dynamic field. Scholars can also apply to join the network and contribute to the collaborative spaces on the site.
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"On the basis of a thorough review of the growing literature on the mobile phone and the cultures it inspires, Goliama highlights the ambivalent nature of mobile cultures for the Roman Catholic Church's evangelization mission in Africa. He argues not only for the continued merits of face-to-face com
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munication for the Church's pastoral approach in the African context. He points to how this could be enriched by a creative appropriation of the mobile phone as a tool for theological engagement, in its capacity to shape cultures in ways amenable to the construction of a Cell phone Ecclesiology. Such emergent mobile cultural values include the tendency of mobile users to transcend social divides, to promote social interconnectedness, and to privilege the question 'where are you?" (Publisher description)
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"Nuestro interés particular por analizar lo sagrado en los medios de comunicación no se refiere a encontrar "huellas" religiosas - cristianas o no - en actividades seculares mediáticas, sino a entender cómo desde los medios se construyen discursos que dan sentido a una nueva significación de sa
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cralidad en sociedades tercermundistas como las nuestras. Esta sacralidad estaría vinculada con nuevas rutas en la búsqueda de la utopía del Absoluto, con preguntas sobre el significado de la muerte, con búsquedas de alianzas y relaciones "fuertes" interpresonales con un objectivo común que trascienda lo individual, con espacios de encuentro ritual donde las personas encuentran nuevas maneras de construir identidades." (Introducción, página 7)
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"Cyberspace - der Begriff scheint eine Verheißung zu bergen als Raum, der die real erlebte Wirklichkeit "übersteigt". Mystifizierende Cyberphilosophie, gespeist aus biblischen und christlich-spirituellen Bezügen, artikuliert sich religiös aufgeladen. Die Theologie ist angefragt: Führt Mediennut
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zung zum Bindungsverlust an die Primärwirklichkeit? Wandelt sich der Mensch zum Cyborg, wird Erlösung technisch programmierbar? Ersetzen Bilder vom Cyberspace das Gottesbild? Anthropologische, religionswissenschaftliche Zugänge und empirische Untersuchung liefern einen fundierten Beitrag zur Diskussion." (Verlagsbechreibung)
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"Religion Online provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to this burgeoning new religious reality, from cyberpilgrimages to neo-pagan chatroom communities. A substantial introduction by the editors presenting the main themes and issues is followed by sixteen chapters addressing core is
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sues of concern such as youth, religion and the internet, new religious movements and recruitment, propaganda and the countercult, and religious tradition and innovation." (Publisher description)
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"This is the first book to bring together many aspects of the interplay between religion, media and culture from around the world in a single comprehensive study. Leading international scholars provide the most up-to-date findings in their fields, and in a readable and accessible way. Some of the to
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pics covered include religion in the media age, popular broadcasting, communication theology, popular piety, film and religion, myth and ritual in cyberspace, music and religion, communication ethics, and the nature of truth in media saturated cultures." (Publisher description)
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