A "Modern" View of Religion

Statistics have shown that overall, regular religious attendance has declined over the years. While religion was once the only way to be a part of something bigger than one's self, this is no longer the case. Back in the days of early America going to church was the only form of entertainment that one could get to escape from a monotonous, day-to-day existence. Today, however, other things have begun to replace the need for traditional religion. The role that religion played back then has evolved now to be a role fulfilled by various forms of media.

Though traditional religious attendance has gone down, religion in the broadest sense is still a part of virtually every person's life. Dictionary.com describes religion as "something one believes in and follows devotedly; usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs."

So someone who may believe they are not religious because they are not affiliated with a particular religious group should look again at the patterns in their life. Consider for example,

Something one follows devotedly:

Usually involving ritual observance:

Often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs:

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TVGq2MLMWvjIKN/season-2-modern-family-wins-a-respect-award

The television show Modern Family is a great example of the many television sitcoms that pull people in and provide this sort of ritual experience. In replacing religion it allows one to be part of something bigger than themselves. Watching television shows like Modern Family and other sitcoms is most definitely a religious experience. maybe not in the traditional sense that we think of but in that it is something someone believes in enough to ritually sit down and watch it on a weekly basis.

Sitcoms like Modern Family also have a specific moral code that they relay to the audience. As shown through the linked video, these sitcoms are more than silly, meaningless content but actually portray serious issues in a funny, sentimental and light way that ensure people will return again and again to receive the moral messages they contain. Because by doing so they are participating in a fun and fulfilling (also known as religious) experience.

The chapter we read on Cultivation Theory spoke of Gerbner's views specifically relating to this phenomenon. He said it used to be that the only "acceptable storytellers outside the home were those passing down religious tradition." But now, "At its root, television is 'story,' and a society's stories give a 'coherent picture of what exists, what is important, what is related to what, and what is right'" (p. 353 of Chapter 27 "Cultivation Theory of George Gerbner).

Do you agree or disagree with this argument that television shows like Modern Family have become a form of religion? One that replaces the need for traditional religion and is now a means of providing the "stories" that shape society's moral codes?

(For the record, I am a ritualistic viewer of Modern Family.)