Religion and Media

Let us together look into the multifaceted relationship between religion and media in this thought-provoking episode of The Religious Studies Podcast. Traditionally, the field has focused heavily on modern mass media. This episode expands the scope, advocating for a more comprehensive, historically grounded, and comparative perspective. We explore how media and mediation are intrinsically woven into the very fabric of religion's function and propagation across time. We critically examine existing theories, including mediatization theory, highlighting their limitations in capturing the nuanced interplay between religion and its modes of expression.Join us as we explore a broader definition of media – encompassing everything from spoken word and embodied practice to written text, ritual, artistic expression, and digital technologies. We posit that this expanded understanding is crucial for comprehending religion’s evolution within a biocultural framework, drawing upon theories of cultural evolution and cognition to illuminate the pivotal role of media in both human and religious development.Please note: This episode was generated using AI technology and has been rigorously fact-checked by human experts to ensure accuracy and scholarly integrity.