Provides a contemporary view of the intertwined relationship of communication and religion
The Handbook of Religion and Communication presents a detailed investigation of the complex interaction between media and religion, offering diverse perspectives on how both traditional and new media sources continue to impact religious belief and practice across multiple faiths around the globe. Contributions from leading international scholars address key themes such as the changing role of religious authority in the digital age, the role of media in cultural shifts away from religious institutions, and the ways modern technologies have transformed how religion is communicated and portrayed.
Divided into five parts, the Handbook opens with a state-of-the-art overview of the subject's intellectual landscape, introducing the historical background, theoretical foundations, and major academic approaches to communication, media, and religion. Subsequent sections focus on institutional and functional perspectives, theological and cultural approaches, and new approaches in digital technologies. The essays provide insight into a wide range of topics, including religious use of media, religious identity, audience gratification, religious broadcasting, religious content in entertainment, films and religion, news reporting about religion, race and gender, the sex-religion matrix, religious crisis communication, public relations and advertising, televangelism, pastoral ministry, death and the media, online religion, future directions in religious communication, and more.
- Explores the increasing role of media in creating religious identity and communicating religious experience
- Discusses the development and evolution of the communication practices of various religious bodies
- Covers all major media sources including radio, television, film, press, digital online content, and social media platforms
- Presents key empirical research, real-world case studies, and illustrative examples throughout
- Encompasses a variety of perspectives, including individual and institutional actors, academic and theoretical areas, and different forms of communication media
- Explores media and religion in Judeo-Christian traditions, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, religions of Africa, Atheism, and others
The Handbook of Religion and Communication is an essential resource for scholars, academic researchers, practical theologians, seminarians, mass communication researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students taking courses on media and religion.
Despite ongoing cultural shifts away from religious institutions, religious belief and practice continue to be portrayed in film, television, and other traditional mass media sources. New communication technologies, social media platforms, and mobile internet devices are changing religious belief and practice, as well as offering innovative ways to communicate religion around the world.
The Handbook on Religion and Communication explores the contemporary landscape of communication, media, and religion in a truly global context. Contributions from leading international scholars provide a comprehensive view of the complex and increasingly intertwined relationship of media and religion in the digital age.
Representing a diverse range of religious traditions and academic perspectives, more than 30 chapters address key topics such as the changing role of religious authority, the impact of new media on religious identity, evolving theological and cultural approaches to religiosity, the use of mass media to communicate religious experience, and more.
Featuring comprehensive introductions to the academic study and foundational theories of religious communication, The Handbook on Religion and Communication is an essential resource for scholars, researchers, journalists, educators, those working in applied theology, seminarians, mass communication researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students.
