Technology & Religion

This image is a digital collage I recently made for my church's web site.  It is a screen shot of the Book of Common Prayer, Morning Prayer, with an open prayer book, and ipod and Palm loaded with the BCP.  It is an effort to communicate that there are many different ways to seek the word of God and the biblical promise that everyone (not just some) who asks receives. 

I am astounded at times by the church's lack of interest in the information age and what a waste of the use of avenues to display the wonder of the Gospel.  I know that is not the case in some places, but where I live, we seem to be hopelessly lost in blinders when it comes to these issues.  I hope to remedy that with the new design of our web site, and I hope it communicates that the journey is more important than the destination. 

Seek first the kingdom requires active participation; the verb there is seek by whatever means.  I hate to sound like a prick, but I am awfully tired of the mentality of people telling me that I am somehow inferior because I prefer Rite II to the Elizabethan language of Rite I.  I am bored stiff with people who think they have all the answers.  I am tired of the "because we said so" and "because we've always done it that way" mentality, and I am amazed that so many older people don't care if a church even exists after they are gone.  I love tradition, but progression makes my blood flow.  Oh dear, I think this anglo-catholic is leaning toward the emergent church.         

Comments

[C. Robin Janning]

Jan,

I say Amen, and right-on!

The image you have created for your church's web site speaks of the infinite possibility available to the seeker armed with imagination.

Fr. Thomas Keating writes in his Christmas-Epiphany Mystery that "the light of Christmas is an explosion of insight changing our whole idea of God."

It seems to me that these "explosions of insight" might occur ever more frequently when our daily tools seek the Spirit in the same way as they seek the address of the nearest Starbucks.

[Jan Neal]

Thank you for your thoughts! I absolutely agree with your idea that daily tools should seek the Spirit. And I love the phrase "explosions of insight" which speaks so to those white light experiences that make it impossible to go back to where one hovered before the insight. I must check out Fr. Thomas Keating...

[Jan]

I have a small resistance to using technology in the church which is strange because I can see technology's purpose in almost anything else. I do like your interpretation.

[Jan Neal]

Jan, what is your resistance?

[Jan]

I like the feel of a book in my hand. What happens if the power goes out or the battery dies? Is reading prayers on a large screen promote a sense of community or does it remove the congregation from a certain spiritual intimacy?

[Jan Neal]

I think more of technology as a tool for outreach and study, not something to be read in the liturgy (I like my book, too). But I do like Visual Preludes and the use of art in a worship setting.

[Jan]

I agree, I like art in a worship setting. My parish is quite devoid of art and Visual Preludes can create a prayerful environment. I can see where technology can help in reaching out to those unable to attend community worship. How do you see it?