Religion and technology - Essay Example

al Affiliation Lecturer Due Religion and Technology The rising usage of technology in the society has raised questions about the relevance of religion. Advancement in science has enabled man to play roles akin to those described as being in the exclusive domain of God. For example, cloning and inter-genetic crossbreeding in contemporary times promised to give rise to new creatures, thus elevating the position of man too close to the position traditionally reserved for God. However, despite the differences, the two are related and it is possible to harmonize their basic principles to create resonance. The biggest discontinuity between religion and technology is diverging explanations for similar events. For example, technology is a function of science and it proposes that man is a function of a long and slow evolutionary process as opposed to creation by God (Noreen 34). In addition, science proposes that all things can be explained using logic. These two violate the beliefs of Religion, which holds that God has magical abilities and exists in dimensions that are beyond human understanding. The point about the existence of dimensions beyond human understanding is particularly problematic because it provides a rationale for religion to ignore the advancements in science and technology because they emanate from man and God’s ability surpasses all human understanding. The rigidity in this religious principle has been a major source of conflict because religious leaders do not consider the possibility of truth in scientific, and by extension technological, claims and proposition (Noreen 27). On the other hand, technological advancement is based on the element of truth and logical proof. Therefore, the relationship between technology, specifically as a function of science, and religion is characterized by ‘mutually exclusive’ tendencies on both sides that restrict their ability to work together. Religion and theology refuse to acknowledge and often dismiss the technological claims that do not resonate with the role of God in the Universe or that spelled out by the scriptures (Noreen 14). Technology and religion plays an important role to human beings. For example, advancements in technology are meant to increase efficiency in production and make life easier. On the other hand, religion is concerned with the interactions between man and man, man and the environment and man and God. (Noreen 26). For example, ethics are a function of religion because in most cultures, ethics define right and wrong. The values of right and wrong are defined by the religious values of a community (Noreen 28). Currently, there are many problems in the use of technology. For example, environmental degradation is a function of technological advancement (Daniel 9). In addition, violation of important ethical considerations in the society has increasingly resulted in poverty in poor societies because of technological handicap compared to the developed countries. On the other hand, the role of religion has been decreasing over the last few centuries. More people are abandoning their religious beliefs because they often feel that the beliefs are outdated or impractical. In addition, the proposition of other theories of the origin of man and sources of answers previously only provided by religion has lessened the role of religion to the people (Daniel 54). For example, explanations of the source of rainfall and the ability of technology to overcome deficiencies have increased the role of technology in human and diminished the role and position of religion. The interrelationship reveals important issues in human spirituality. People are compelled to follow traits that serve their best interests. Belief is a function of values and perception, the role of the direct environment in shaping the learning process directly affects religion negatively because of its reduced position in human life (Daniel 94). Therefore, people are unlikely to follow religion in the presence of a seemingly better source of answers that is responsive to their every needs. The implication is that human spirituality is not a function of following a divine path, as religion implies. It is a function of following the easiest and most convenient path. Therefore, the position of religion in the society is likely to deteriorate with time. Religion and theology have an important role to play in maintaining the balance of nature. For example, the rise of technology threatens humanity as a function of environmental degradation. In addition, the human welfare is violated when exploitation of resources necessary for the vast majority of people on earth is in the interests of the rich minority (Daniel 76). From the correlation between the diminishing role of religion and the increasing incidence of injustice, directed at poor people or the environment, it follows the role of religion in the society is still significant. Therefore, though people may no longer have faith in divinity or the role of God in their lives, the principles of religion are applicable to the contemporary society (Daniel 86). Hard as it is to believe, technological advancement was a function of the human quest for knowledge (Garcia-Montufar Par 1). The quest originated from the need for man to understand religion because the first civilizations were based on religion. In the initial years of advancement, religions such as Christianity and Islam were central to the growth of technology. For example, portability of paper compared to scrolls inspired the Christian religion to make the changes. Elsewhere, the principles of early disciplines in the middle ages were furthered by Muslim scholars such as Ibn Sina (Daniel 187). Theology required studies and research. These studies produced scholars and in the course of the revolution of the scholars, the search the role of man and the relationships with divinity resulted in emergence of technology (Daniel 162). Therefore, the rise of technology is an attribute of the demands of religion. The central role of man in religion also increased the volume of research as man sought new ways to increase productivity and accountability. Invention of the printing press is a good illustration of the relationship between technology and religion because it was an important turning point in religion. It empowered major religions such as Christianity to reproduce their holy books and therefore reach out to bigger audiences. Other aspects of technology such as television and the internet increase the ability of religion to reach many people. In addition, religious scholars rely on technology to decipher information from ancient sources (Rosen Par 3). The issue of usage of new media, religion illuminates an important aspect of the relationship between religion and technology (David 23). In contemporary times, the need for religious advancement is not the primary drive for technological advancements (Shellnutt Par 6). The change in position of religion in inspiring technology has also produced deviation of the points of focus from the need to create compliance to religion to fulfillment of other human needs (David 12). For example, social media rose to fulfill the innate human nature of being in close companionship with other people. However, blogging is emerging as an ideal platform for religion because of its ability to create a platform for virtual communities. The ability of blogging to create the platform also shows that contrary to popular belief, technology still has a role to play in religion (The Immanent Frame Par 3). Technological innovation society inspires religion to keep up with these changes and to maintain the desired effects of religion on the people. It is important for the religions keep in touch with advancements in technology and adopt aspects that make it stronger. Bridging the gap between technology and religion is therefore in the interest of the human society because they are interdependent and synchronization of the two is likely to produce accountability in the usage of technology and greater reach for religion (The Immanent Frame Par 7). The process of synchronization is possible. For example, by acceptance of previously unacceptable theories the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe and the Evolutionary Theory of the origin of man by the late Pope John Paul II showed the possibility of new interpretations of religion without contradicting science (Uyehara Par 4). However, despite the possibility, the divide between religion and the scientific basis of science is too big. In addition, the existence of different religions with different values makes it harder to marry religion and technology. Development and the usage of technology has emphasized the importance of religion as a tool for regulating application to increase the benefits technological advancements and simultaneously reduce the negative aspects of the application. Recent trends have shown that it is possible to integrate the two by interpreting religion in a different way. However, despite the possibility, it is hard to reconcile some aspects of the two. Therefore, the role of theology and religion in the society is likely to continue in the trends of decline because lack of a unitary religion and the rise of science and technology play a significant role. Work Cited Daniel R. Headrick, Technology: A World History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. David F. Noble, the Religion of Technology: The Divinity of Man and the Spirit of Invention. New York: Knopf, 1997. Garcia-Montufar, Diego. "First Essay." First Essay. 1 Feb. 2007. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. . Noreen L. Herzfeld, Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-created World. Bryn Mawr PA: Templeton Press, 2009. Rosen, Len. "Religion, Technology and Science in the 21st Century - Uncertainty in a Changing World." World Future Society. 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. . Shellnutt, Kate. "6 Ways Technology Has Changed Religion." Believe It or Not. 28 Nov. 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. . "The Immanent Frame." The Immanent Frame RSS. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. . Uyehara, Kazuo. "Human Nature, Technology & the Environment." Human Nature, Technology & the Environment. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. . Read More