13.13 Discuss the likely future of religion.

 The Future of Religion

 13.13 Discuss the likely future of religion. 

Religion thrives in the most advanced scientific nations—and, as officials of Soviet Russia and communist China were disheartened to learn—even in ideologically hostile climates. Although the Soviet and Chinese authorities threw believers into prison, people continued to practice their religion. Humans are inquiring creatures. As they reflect on life, they ask, What is the purpose of it all? Why are we born? Is there an afterlife? If so, where are we going? Out of these concerns arises this question: If there is a God, what does God want of us in this life? Does God have a preference about how we should live? Science, including sociology, cannot answer such questions. By its very nature, science cannot tell us about four main concerns that many people have: Science and Religion 1. The existence of God About this, science has nothing to say. No test tube has either isolated God or refuted God’s existence. 2. The purpose of life Although science can provide a definition of life and describe the characteristics of living organisms, it has nothing to say about ultimate purpose. 3. An afterlife Science can offer no information on this at all, since it has no tests to prove or disprove a “hereafter.” 4. Morality Science can demonstrate the consequences of behavior, but not the moral superiority of one action compared with another. This means—to use an extreme example—that science cannot even prove whether loving your family and neighbor is morally superior to hurting and killing them. There is no doubt that religion will last as long as humanity lasts—what could replace it? And if something did, and answered such questions, would it not be religion under a different name? A basic principle of symbolic interactionism is that meaning is not inherent in an object or event but is determined by people as they interpret the object or event. Does this dinosaur fossil “prove” evolution? Does it “disprove” creation? Such “proof” and “disproof” lie in the eye of the beholder, based on the background assumptions by which it is interpreted. Credit: Stephen Wilkes/The Image Bank/Getty Images In Sociology and Technology: The Shifting Landscape, which closes this chapter, let’s try to glimpse the cutting edge of religious change. 448 Sociology and Technology: The Shifting Landscape Changing Religious Practices in the Digital Age Some say the microchip will bring about a religious reformation as big as the one set off by Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. This is likely an exaggeration, but perhaps not. As you look at how religious practices are adapting to technology, you might be glimpsing the future of religion. Apps Roman Catholics in Europe use Confesor Go to locate priests to hear confessions and WhatsApp to discuss moral dilemmas with priests (“Church Goes Digital” 2016). An app for Jews shows a replica of the frond of a palm tree—with instructions how to swing it during Sukkot (“Study Finds…” 2014). Tweets The Pope tweets little messages in 145 characters or less. The Pope doesn’t actually write the tweets, but he “is involved” in what they say (Moloney 2012). YouTube Teenaged Buddhist monks post videos of themselves on YouTube playing air guitar and reciting religious chants to hip-hop beats. This upsets older Buddhists who feel that the young monks are being disrespectful (Hookway 2012). Prayers at holy sites Want to pray at the Holy Land, but you can’t leave home? No problem. Type your prayer, and we will download and insert it in the Western Wall. Or buy our telephone card—available at your local 7-11. Record your prayer, and we’ll broadcast it via the Internet at the site you choose. Press 1 for the holy site of Jerusalem. Press 2 for the holy site of the Sea of Galilee. Press 3 for the birthplace of Jesus. Press 4 for…. (Rhoads 2007) Stay where you are but pray back home You moved to Kansas, but you want to pray in Chennai? No problem. Order your pujas (prayers), and a priest will say them in the temple of your choice. Just click how many you want. Food offerings for Vishnu included in the price. All major credit cards accepted (Sullivan 2007). Texting during sermons One rabbi has congregants text anonymous messages regarding their reactions to what is being discussed. The cell phone messages are projected onto a screen in front of the congregation (Alvarez 2012). Chaplains at the keyboard Christian and Jewish chaplains counsel hospital patients via e-mail, giving them spiritual support regarding the meaning of their illness (Beck 2015). Virtual church services Muslims download sermons and join an invisible community of worshippers at virtual mosques. Christians can choose an avatar, sing, kneel, pray, and listen to virtual sermons. If they get bored, they can walk around the virtual church and talk to other avatars (Feder 2004). And, of course, they can use their credit card—a real one, not the virtual kind. Ancient temple and ancient customs, but this monk is connected to the Internet as he goes through Buddhist rituals. Credit: Spaces Images/Mint Images Limited /Alamy Stock Photo For Your Consideration → Do you think online religion can replace the warm embrace of fellow believers? Will tweets bring comfort to someone who is grieving for a loved one?