Hjarvard's Perspective. The Mediatization of Religion

Hjarvard’s perspective. The Mediatization of Religion. A theory. Hjarvard explores the Mediatization of religion in his 2008 article ‘The mediatisation of religion. A theory of the media as agents of religious change’ in Northern Lights 6. He uses a great degree of theoretical support as well as historical examples of the influence of the media on religion. The dynamics he explores are of interest. It is simple to read and follows a clear format. Despite this, he lacks is a clearly articulated prescription of the future of this relationship, but also fails to clearly specify the positives and negatives of this relationship and it’s effect on one another. Although he recognises the influence of instructional religion on folk lore, he appears to not sufficiently explore the influence of religion on the media. Despite not drawing a sound theoretical conclusion he sufficiently and coherently explores the effect of the media on religion. For Hjarvard, the media is an agent of religious change that is now a primary source of religious ideas (2008, p9). It has even taken over many of the social functions of institutional religion being able to provide: community; moral and spiritual guidance (2008, p9); ritual and habit (as evidenced by the changing of markers of time/ the evening news has replaced the chiming of church bells) (2008, p19) and; worship (for example fan culture) (2008, p19). These arguments are significant yet Hjarvard’s argument ceases to make a clear conclusion in regards to what degree the media has an effect on religion. For example the Danish study that is used suggests that 40 percent of people do not engage with media on this functional level. From this suggestion several questions arise: If the role of religion had been removed from the primary position as a source of religious ideas (as suggested on p9) why has religion persisted to attempt to perform this function? And why do people continue to attend such religious institutions? To what degree has 60 percent of people engaged with religion through the media? And does the media have a subconscious effect on perceptions of religion? For a theory, there does not appear to be a great deal of predictive assertions as to the future of the relationship between religion and the media. Hjarvard’s understanding and articulation of the relationship between the media and religion is insightful, yet clear predictive conclusions fail to be drawn. He has used succinct arguments and appropriate theories to support this article. In particular, his use of Meyrowits ideas on the aspects of religion are of great benefit to his argument, they clarify the mode of the medias influence on religion. However the extent to which this influence exists could be further developed. Hjarvard, S. (2008) ‘The mediatisation of religion. A theory of the media as agents of religious change’ in Northern Lights 6. Accesses online on the 14/3/2012