YouTube Evangelists

TIME magazine wrote an article about YouTube and finding God. The first thought when combining religion and YouTube is probably Obama’s old pastor or clips from TV shows that have religious content, (i.e. South Park episode referring to Mormonismbeing the true religion!). But more and more, YouTube is being used by religious sects to reach potential followers of their religion and to get the truth out.

Think about how much the LDS church has used the YouTube channel. There is Mormon Messages, the Tabernacle Choir and Temples that can be found on YouTube. General Conference can even be found on YouTube.

The Catholic Church uses YouTube to their advantage. If you type in Catholic in the search bar, the suggestions box gives different search options, including songs, mass, priests and Catholics come home.

YouTube is not solely used by one religion, but almost all have a presence on YouTube. It is not posted just by religious leaders, but by everyday people. People bring up religion frequently within conversations, and many of these conversations happen online, and on YouTube. One problem with YouTube is content posted cannot be regulated by the church. Some individuals can post negative views about a religion.

Steve Waldman, founder of the multi-faith website Beliefnet, was quoted in the TIME magazine article saying, “people in my business talked about how the Internet was going to revolutionize religion the way the printing press helped create Protestantism, but it didn’t happen.”

Waldman thinks YouTube may be the “beginning of that kind of transformation.” YouTube has opened the possibility to allow religious sects to connect with the younger generation. I believe it is important to adapt to the changing times and use media that reaches your target audience. It is hard for churches to get the message to younger ages and it is important for them to be involved in an uplifting setting. Religion helps to combat the possible negative activities kids can get involved with, but in order to reach kids you have to use what they are using.

Since YouTube is mainly known for their video clips and homemade movies, why have religions begun to use it to spread religious messages? What made YouTube a plausible way to reach believers?

With the creation of YouTube and its easy access to thousands of video clips, has the Internet increased people’s desire to learn more about religion? Do people use YouTube as a means to be uplifted and watch segments about a specific faith?

Your own church just a click away

A few months ago I remember Hearing about an online church, thinking it was just a rumor. After a few days of research I found that there are more than just a few churches offering online services. People can go to church in their computer while staying at home. I wonder if at some point they could even download pod casts and have a “church to go” in their iPod.



I even found a website listing all the positive things about an online church service.

http://online-churches.net/ol-churches.htm

To some degree the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has done this as well, by allowing web live steaming during general conference. This may benefit religions by allowing them to reach more people, not to mention that it will make life easier for goers who can stay in their pajamas on a Sunday morning.
However, there is another side to this. Some online churches like the Universal life church ordains ministers online. This allows anyone to have his or her own congregation without little or almost non-existent accountability. You can even choose how to name your own church without needing any religious framework.

http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/1987166
http://www.themonastery.org/?destination=ordination

How is the Internet going to affect the future of religion? Will religion as we know it change and become part of a digital world affecting the way that people traditionally interact with religion? And, how will this change the hierarchy of church authority?

Proselyting VS. Live Chat

Religions, or some form of belief system, have existed since the beginning of time. However, the internet has not. But the vast reach of the internet these days suggests that religious messages can reach more people around the world, than just the traditional proselyting on foot can.

*Here is a map of religions around the world, mapped by distribution. (See Wikipedia)

* Predominate religions of the world, mapped by state. (See Wikipedia)

Even by searching on google for "Religion and the Internet," many religious sites are found, from God Online, to results from Wikipedia, and the Religions Guide.

According to Wikipedia: Religion and the Internet, "Many sites are discussion groups, others theological debates and some attempt to provide advice concerning religious doctrine. There are also sites that aim to provide a religious experience facilitating prayer, meditation, or virtual pilgrimages."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no exception. There is a member-friendly LDS.org website.

The Mormon.org website for those who have broad or specific questions about life in general or want to find answers about the Mormon religion.

There is even a YouTube channel, Mormon Messages, where short videos are uploaded monthly, if not weekly. From the YouTube channel, you can find more Mormon Messages on Facebook or Twitter.

The Newsroom site is the official Church resource for news media.

And the newest addition to the LDS internet team is the Newsroom Blog, which comes straight from the Church Public Affairs office, and is on a more personal note.

The most interesting of all the LDS internet sites to me, is the Mormon.org - Live Chat.

Here anyone can chat online with a missionary or member in the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center (MTC). Just this past year (14 months), 4 missionaries were called to serve in the Referral Center of the MTC, full-time. Because of their efforts, over 52 people were taught completely the lessons of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and baptized. Now, over 12 missionaries will be called directly to the Referral Center in the MTC to teach and preach over the internet to people around the world. (TRUE STORY)

QUESTIONS:

1. Has the internet changed the way we view religion as a whole (negatively), or has it just added to the good we already have?

2. Will the internet really convert people to a religion in the "traditional" sense of going to church and being proactive in religious endeavors or will it stifle our faith to mainly internet usage of religious themes?

3. Are all the different internet uses by the LDS church; LDS.org, Mormon.org, Newsroom, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Live Chat - really making a difference? Does the good outweigh the bad in terms of feedback from others outside the church as they view the amount of internet persuasion the Church uses?

4. Is the "old-fashioned" proselyting by foot-missionaries around the world a better practice than the "new and advanced" online Live Chat the Church offers? Do people value the traditional more so than the advanced technology fad? Or is the Church just appealing to different people and different age groups by using both methods?

Going to Church... on your computer

Going to church just got a little easier. In fact, you don't have to go anywhere. The Internet has provided a way to go to church online. These options include:

The Church of Fools (A 3D online church)

Just two weeks after The Church of Fools opened for online avitar church goers, 41,000 people attended the church within a 24-hour period.

Internet Broadcasts/Live Streaming

One of the most prevelant forms of religion on the internet. Sermons, devotionals, and church meetings are broadcasted over the internet for people to view from their own home.

Discussion Groups, Message Boards and Chatrooms

These are used in every way you can think of. From bible bashing to planning church activities, these boards are found all over the internet for anyone to comment on and discuss religious doctrine, topics, or events.

Podcast

Sites like The Christian Podcast network, cpodcast.net, include sermons, music and even discussion of Christians in sports. Downloadable so you can listen to them anywhere.

My stand on the issue...

It seems that there is an internet religious service option for anyone. In November of 2008, Newsweek ran a story on the internet-religion phenomenon. The overall tone of the story was that this provides additional opportunities for people. The religious leaders who were interviewed seemed hopeful that the internet could reach people that they could not in their religious services. Another leader said "it is to augment, but not replace, a church service." But is that how people are using it?

The article also talks about the internet as a new place for community, and takes into account the change of relationships the internet has caused:

"As technology reshapes our world, as our "friends" become the people we know on Facebook as well as the ones we invite home for dinner, the definition of community is taking on radically new meanings. Nowhere is the concept of community more crucial than in religion. In the West, people traditionally worship together, in a group, in one room; that togetherness has theological import. In Christianity, the sacrament of communion underscores the unity of the faithful; consuming the consecrated bread and wine binds Christians with each other, with the saints in heaven and with the Lord. Now, at the farthest corners of the Christian world, a few people are applying new-tech concepts of community to this ancient rite." (Newsweek, 11/3/2008, "Click in Remembrance of Me")

Many feel that the internet services cannot replace traditional church services because of that need for community and worship together. Some say the location of the worship is almost as important as the worship itself.

I agree that the place that you worship correlates with the spiritual experience you will have. I also believe that it is a great thing to have place to discuss and enhance your religious experience while you are away from your traditional Sunday worship. I think online religious sites can be the supplement, but should not be a replacement.

Questions

Do religious internet sites provide a justification for a lack of traditional church worship, is it used to enhance a persons religious experience, or does it end up replacing it? Does the location and community of a religious experience the variable that gives meaning to it?

Can Religious Materials on the Internet Create the Same Experience as Non-Internet Materials?

Religious denominations are using the internet more than ever. There are online scriptures, online talks, video conference congregations, pay pall donations, and many other religious services. Many people are using the internet to stay connected with their religion or to participate more in their religion.

The Question

The question I had while reading and researching about religion and the internet was can people have the same religious experiences through online religious materials as they would have in a congregation, personal group setting or through non technological materials?  I have listed a couple of specific question after each of the topics but they all tie back to the main question previously stated.

Scriptures on the Internet

The first topic I looked into was scripture on the internet. Many churches, including the LDS church, have a copy of the scriptures on the church Web site.  Religions such as other Christian sects, Hinduism and the Church of Scientology also offer their scriptural texts online. Do you think that reading scriptures online creates a less personal experience for the reader?

Do you think that someone can have the same personal experience of reading the scriptures online as they would reading a printed version?

Many people say that being able to mark their scriptures provides and very personal religious experience for them. However, other people say that they feel they can have more experiences with reading their scriptures because they can access them from their phones or their computers whenever they want.

http://www.biblegateway.com/

i Religions

The internet religion, known as the i religion, is also growing rapidly. The i religion is an online religious community that provides religious sermons, discussion groups, and other group activities through video conferencing and pre recorded materials.  If someone were to miss church or not be able to attend the scheduled meeting, they could go the website of whatever religious group they were associated with and watch the sermon. They could also participate in discussion groups with other members.

Do you think that communicating in a discussion group online could bring the same personal experiences as communicating with other members in a church setting? Or in other words, is communicating with someone online the same as communicating with them in person?

One view is that it is better for someone to watch a sermon or talk online than not watch or hear one at all. The opposite view is that providing the religious sermons or talks on the internet gives people an excuse to miss the interactive setting of church and get to it when they have more time and it is convenient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0nYg9kR4TE

Pay Pal Donation Plates

The most interesting religious opportunity I found was the “donation” pages on many of the websites. If someone didn’t go to church but wanted to donate they could watch the talk, sermon, or speaker and choose to donate to the church through a pay pall account.

The personal experience question that I thought of for this was do you think that someone would have the same feelings about donating to a church through a credit card and pay pall as they would through tangible money?

Do you think that they would feel as if they were paying bills more than donating or do you think it would have the opposite effect?

Question:

1.     Do you think someone can have the same religious experiences through online religious materials as they would have in a congregation, personal group setting or through non-technological materials?

 

Is alternative music source of alternative spirituality?

Andrew Van Wagenen

 

In ancient Gregorian Chants, Hindu mantras, and classical pieces such as Handel’s “Messiah”, music has been a source of spirituality.  Music has coincided with religion for many millennia. It is no different today in the world of pop culture and media.  Music still has an indefinite connection with most if not all religions of the world.

 Modern-day LDS prophets have also proclaimed the importance of music in our worship services.

In the preface to the current edition of the Church's hymnal published in 1985, the First Presidency wrote: "Inspirational music is an essential part of our Church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

 "Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end." 

 http://www.mormontimes.com/arts_entertainment/music/?id=10360

 

Personally I couldn’t agree more.  But in pop culture were not just talking hymns as the only form of inspirational and spiritual music.  Popular musicians such as Eric Clapton, Creed, Ben Harper and the orthodox Jewish rapper Matisyahu infused spirituality with their music.  Some of my most spiritual experiences with music have come from listening to these popular artists. I’m sure many others have had similar experiences to mine. 

 Popular Music has become adopted by religion so extensively that churches have been established around certain genres of music.  Rap churches, rock’n’roll churches, and hip hop churches have popped up all over the world. 

 http://www.rapnews.net/Topics/Church/, http://www.rocknrollpreacher.com/church.html,

 

Even within the LDS church, popular religious music has been produced by groups such as Jericho Road and EFY.  However, despite popular music as a source of spirituality, in recent years LDS church meetings popular music renditions from EFY songs have been prohibited; even the playing of more popular instruments like the guitar are considered irreverent for special numbers during church meetings. 

 

My question to be considered:  If popular music can be such a strong source for spiritual and religious experiences then how should we as Latter-Day Saints view popular music as an alternative source for spirituality?  And should it be considered appropriate or reverent for popular religious music and instruments to appear in LDS church meetings?

 

Christianity In Hip Hop, Country and Pop Music

To avoid an awkward interruption, I will just let Kanye West have the first say in this post.

“They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?” (“Jesus Walks”, Kanye West)

The Christian music world has boomed with $300 million to $500 million profits (Forbes & Mahan) and created their own stars in an ever-growing niche market. In this market they can talk about God as much as they want, and their listeners want to hear more.

But what place does Christianity and God have on mainstream music? How is it interpreted in different genres of music like Country, Hip Hop and Pop music?

Kanye is right that most mainstream music is about sex, love, heartbreak and drama. While these are often glorified, religion is virtually shunned and seen as the most offensive and divisive of any subject matter. But we will see that religion, specifically Christianity, still finds a place (even sometimes a very small place) in every genre of music.

Pop music probably references religion and God the least out of all the genres of music. Top 40 music is created to entertain the masses and appeal to the most listeners as possible. Perhaps this is why God is mostly found absent on its charts. Mentions of God and religion would divide audiences and turn away those who disagree with religion, in a format that is meant to attract as many listeners as possible.

Although there are acts like Lifehouse, Creed and The Fray who have references to God in their music, they are often vague and generic. One of The Fray’s biggest hits “You Found Me” discusses the doubts the singer is having about God while dealing with hard times. But there is no mention of a specific God and he is humanized “smoking his last cigarette”.

The most blatant religious statements in pop music are made with great controversy. Take Madonna’s 1989 hit “Like A Prayer” as an example. Burning crosses, making love to a black Christ and stigmata are all focuses of the music video. She was making a statement against the Catholic faith in this video. While the song has very vague religious references, like most of pop music’s references to God, the video used religious references to cause controversy.

While Hip-Hop music can be argued to be the least saintly genre of music, its artists often claim close associations with religion. One of the most popular tattoos and accessories amongst rappers is a cross. Ironically, they wear a cross that represents a sacred act as they rap about very unholy acts such as pre-marital and extra-marital sex, drugs and violence. But some rappers and R & B singers “namedrop” God in their lyrics.

Mary J Blige, Destinys Child, Coolio all make respectful references to God. But the most recent "religious" hit to my knowledge in hip hop is Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks”. This whole record is about whether or not talking about God in popular music is acceptable or not. It is more specific than popular music, but God is still rarely found in hip hop. Like Madonna's video, Kanye's video for "Jesus Walks" is controversial and uses religion to shock audiences.

Country music is the music that tends to be the most closely associated with God and religion. Nashville artists tend to wear their faith on their sleeves and openly acknowledge God and religion in their music. Whether it is Martina McBride, Diamond Rio or Tim McGraw, faith is as valued in their lyrics as romance.

The most recent popular example I can think of is American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. Two of her hits, “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me”, are open prayers for mercy to God to “take the wheel, take it from [her] hands, because [she] can’t do this on [her] own.” She also pleads for course correction and for Got to “give [her] one more chance, save [her] from this road I’m on”

Neither hits hide her faith in God or tries to use Him as a metaphor. Neither song keeps the subject matter vague. They are straightforwardly Christian and both were #1 Country hits.

What makes Country music different that it can mention a Christian God and still be a hit? Where does Christianity fit in with mainstream music? Is it regarded differently in different genres and how?