Is Technology Corrupting our Beliefs?

Can your smartphone replace your pastor?

In the article Technology Changing Way We Practice Religion, Stuart Fox from NBC News describes how much we allow technology and social media affect our religious practices. This is also described in the article Technology May Be Good for Religion After All from The Washington Post.

In this brief essay I will answer the following question: To what extent does technology affect how we practice religion?

Thesis: Modern Technology has allowed many religious people to be able to pray even if they’re away from their sacred place, but it can ruin the experience of an actual prayer service.

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Technology is transforming the way we practice religion today. There is the opportunity to become a minister online for free, or the ability to exchange ideas between churches. In addition Christians are now able to download the “Bible app” which provides more convenient scripture reading. This allows people to practice in a personal religious environment even when they’re far from their holy place. There is also the option to join a group prayer including people from many different places which gives people peace of mind that they’re not praying alone. Technology is able to join religious people together to pray even if they’re far away.

Although technology makes religion easier to access, many critics believe it’s ruining the point of prayer. The use of mobile devices during prayer gives off nervous, excited feelings that is the opposite of what kind of mental state is wanted. Many believe they are able to multitask while praying but that has been proven to be wrong, and most tend to end up not paying attention to the prayer at all. Technology changes how people relate with one another, and that’s the most concerning with religion. In conclusion, technology has given an easier access to group prayer, but also destroys the experience.