Introduction
The mass media plays a major role in the way communities perceive the environment and events around them. The power of the media is paramount. More so than chief political leaders, major religious leaders or organisations. It is a bold statement to make, but one that is hard to argue against, especially in a day and age where everything is instant. This essay critically examines the role the media plays in the public’s perception of New Religious Movements. It shall examine how the media portrays New Religious Movements, the techniques used in this portrayal, examples of events that the media have covered and the accuracies and inaccuracies of the reporting.
The Mass Media Role in our Daily Lives
In the modern day and age, media is all around us. We have become a world obsessed with “knowing”. Being up to date with the goings-on in the world gives many a sense of liberation. We feel that by gaining insight into the lives of others, understanding the intricacies of our global environment and being up to date with what we define as “the news”, we will somehow better equip ourselves with the tact to successfully deal with the inevitable challenges life will throw at us. Whilst this might not be the most objective view on the nature of the news in our society, one certainly cannot argue of its ever-growing presence in our lives. From billboards along the side the road, to smartphones in our pockets, the news is surrounds and is seldom out of reach.
The media, or mass media, the latter referring to diverse media outlets intent on distributing news to mass audiences for mass consumption, portrays the news. Many point to the vital role media plays in our lives, especially in times of crisis. However one must remember t...
... middle of paper ...
...igious Movements are concerned.
General Portrayal of New Religious Movements by the Mass Media
When considering the how small a percentage of the worlds population New Religious Movements members take up, it is surprising how much media coverage they have received. To a large extent the only exposure that New Religious Movements have received from the mass media have been negative. Violence between communities and New Religious Movemenent members, inner conflict of movements and clashes with the law are often breaking news in an ever-growing threat to civil society from these mysteries and strange movements. We seldom if ever, hear of any good that a New Religious Movement is undertaking.
Works Cited
Cowen, DE & Hadden JK 2004. Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions in HC Steyn, Pretoria 2009. The ‘Cult’ Controversy: A Reader, 64-82
In “Reporting the News” by George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry, the main idea is how the media determines what to air, where to get said stories that will air, how the media presents the news, and the medias effect on the general public. “Reporting The News” is a very strong and detailed article. The authors’ purpose is to inform the readers of what goes on in the news media. This can be inferred by the authors’ tone. The authors’ overall tone is critical of the topics that are covered. The tone can be determined by the authors’ strong use of transitions, specific examples, and phrases or words that indicate analysis. To summarize, first, the authors’ indicate that the media chooses its stories that will air
Religion is a part of society that is so closely bound to the rest of one’s life it becomes hard to distinguish what part of religion is actually being portrayed through themselves, or what is being portrayed through their culture and the rest of their society. In Holy Terrors, Bruce Lincoln states that religion is used as a justifiable mean of supporting violence and war throughout time (Lincoln 2). This becomes truly visible in times such as the practice of Jihad, the Reformation, and 9/11. The purpose of this essay is to show that as long as religion is bound to a political and cultural aspect of a community, religious war and destruction will always occur throughout the world. A historical methodology will be deployed in order to gain
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions. 5th Edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2010. 320-322. Print.
―"Religion in “Brave New World“." Religion in Brave New World. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014.
Although scholars of new religious movements would agree that religious groups often have substantial influence over their followers, they would also argue that the “influence exerted in "cults" is not very different from influence that is present in practically every arena of life,” (19 Oct 1999). Mainstream religions also exercise influence over their members concerning matters such as lifestyle choices, familial relations and monetary donations. Furthermore, most social scientists concede that some degree of influence is inevitable in each culture and facet of life even outside the arena of religious choice.
First, the role of the media is to represent the public and intervene between the public and the government. The media is a mirror, which re...
Throughout time, the definition of what is considered to be “religion” has been proven to be quite a challenge. This is primarily due to the fact that religions continuously evolve over time as well as an individual’s perception and understanding about what religion seems to be. Despite this ongoing process of modifications when attempting to characterize and define religion, what is certainly constant is the fact that religion plays a great role in influencing societies and individuals historically (McGuire 5). In order for an individual to well integrate oneself into society and build a daily life, religious practices is essential to this process. By analyzing the effects of religion and religious practices on communities and individuals, it will become apparent that religious practices are quite more important than religion itself and its institutions when it comes to helping one adjust into society and life.
News is often described as the ‘window of the world’, but sometimes what we see on the news isn’t necessarily the true facts of what is happening around the world. News is often very subjective, especially in television, and sometimes the best pictures are picked over the best story. As journalists, we are responsible for society and frequently news leads viewers to a narrow-minded view of the world, often showing them what we want them to see rather than what they need to see. As Harcup explains (2009, P3) ‘Journalism informs society about itself and makes public that which would otherwise be private.’
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print
Today, when many in the West think of the Islamic religion, the immediate thought that follows is terrorism. There are several reasons for this, none the least the amount of media attention that circulates in the evening news. These show Muslims hijacking planes or trains, committing suicide bomb attacks, capturing yet another prisoner who dared question their authority, or pledging war against Israel or fellow Muslims who do not believe after they do. In Islam: The Straight Path, John Esposito attempts to address many common misconceptions that those looking from the outside have regarding this great world religion that counts more than one billion people as its followers.
There are presently 35 television stations owned and operated by religious organizations, but every television station features religious programming in one way or another (Postman, 116). Religious television program producers are driven by the desire to make money, and they find the best way to accomplish this is by scamming viewers and members. During this process, religion loses its authenticity. Religion is not being practiced on television, it is being mocked. Religion is no longer for worship, but for entertainment.
Although, as time has passed the viewers of religious programs have changed. With a new audience come different views on religion. Today the religious styles of programs found on terrestrial television are targeted towards people who are classed as being ‘vaguely religious’.
John Saliba’s approach to new religious movements is secular (despite his position as a Jesuit Priest) and well rounded. He begins by exploring how new religious movements are viewed today, how they have been reacted to in the past and why that may be. He examines the original definition of the word “cult” as well as the modern derivations of it and how it affects these new religious movements. By considering multiple opinions on new religious movements as well as looking at the historical, psychological, sociological, legal and theological context in which these religions came to be and attract new followers, he is able to advocate for a more open approach to these new religions and offer a better way to handle them; to respond to them, rather than react.
Religious Fundamentalism is not a modern phenomenon, although, it has received a rise in the late twentieth century. It occurs differently in different parts of the world but arises in societies that are deeply troubled or going through a crisis (Heywood, 2012, p. 282). The rise in Religious Fundamentalism can be linked to the secularization thesis, which implies that victory of reason over religion follows modernization. Also, the moral protest of faiths such as Islam and Christianity can be linked to the rise of Religious Fundamentalism, as they protest the influence of corruption and pretence that infiltrate their beliefs from the spread of secularization (Heywood, 2012, p. 283). Religious Fundamentalists have followed a traditional political thought process, yet, have embraced a militant style of activity which often can turn violent (Heywood, 2012, p. 291).
Hamilton, Malcom (1995/2001) The Sociology of Religion: Theoretical and Comparative Perspectives. 2nd edition. Routledge. London