When I was doing the summaries for Postman I came across this chapter called Shuffle Off to Bethlehem where Postman was discussing the toll that television takes on existing religions. I have a question about this chapter so I figured I would make a post.
Within the past years, humanity has evolved and certain religious groups have had ideas of evolving too as well in order to engage more into their religion. Teaching the gospel of whatever religious group it may be, through television than sitting in a: temple, church, or synagogue, is it really the same? Some may argue that this can be an easier way for those who physically can not leave their house; those who have medical problems and are bedridden. There are many different standards that are required for religion, but can they actually have the same type of spiritual revival for their soul in the comfort of their own home through television? Where distractions can play at the same time for their service. What do you guys think? Do you think that going to church, temple, synagogue, is the same as having the service at home? What's the pros and cons of having the availability of it through television?
Dominique Diaz
As Postman tells us, the authenticity and sacred sense of the religion is lost when it is broadcasted on television. One of his major points throughout the book is that the media through which something is expressed or delivered has an altering affect on what is being said. I think religious sermons on television at home are far from resembling the affect of sermons or masses in a physical religious setting. As Postman writes, when watching television, the brain defaults to a secular mindset due to the majority of its programming being unrelated to religion. Furthermore, while attending a mass at church for example, the aura of the entire room is quiet and serious; inside a person's home can be other people, other noises, and other distractions that will pull them away and keep them from ever reaching the same level of spirituality and transcendence. He also describes how on television, the preachers are the ones being idolized as the stars of these religious shows; the focus of viewers revolves around them along with all their other aspects of show business, including celebrity guests and free items, while in a church, the entire time is devoted to God and listening and understanding His word. In these ways, religious sermons broadcasted on television will never be able to encapture and fully mirror traditional ones.
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