《媒介宗教》書評

Book Review of“Mediating Religion”

《媒介與宗教》一書主要探討新媒介的運用，對既有的宗教產生的影響。特別是在世俗化與新自由主義的背景之下，制度化宗教的意義受到質疑，宗教性的轉變，讓個人化的宗教興起。本書即透過「物與參照鏈」、「影像、音樂與個人性」、「陪伴、親密與新媒體」等三大主題，探討傳統的宗教元素和新媒介的結合，讓宗教的個人化特質更容易被展現外，也創造新的宗教社會性。另一方面，新媒介也改變人們對宗教的想像，例如：神與人之間變得更加地親近，反映出民主社會的特性，和民間宗教中人本主義的邏輯。本書所揭露這些新的宗教經驗，有助於我們思考後疫情時代，民眾在穿梭虛實之間，所追求的宗教意義、心靈認同與歸屬。

“The Mediating Power of Religion”delves into the profound impact of new media on established religious practices. While the enduring significance of institutionalized religions has faced scrutiny in the face of secularization and neoliberalism, new media has emerged as a catalyst for reshaping religiosity, ushering in a era of personalized spirituality. To illuminate this perspective, the book is organized into three core themes:“Objects and Chains of Reference,”“Visuals, Music, and Self-expression,”and“Companionship, Intimacy, and the Digital Realm.”These sections explore the intricate connections between traditional religious elements and new media, underscoring how religion has evolved into a more individualized and socially dynamic phenomenon. Conversely, new media has also redefined people’s conceptualization of religion, particularly by fostering a more intimate interaction between deities and humanity. As such, this phenomenon mirrors the attributes of democratic societies and humanistic values within folk religions. This discourse asserts that the novel religious experiences expounded in this work offer valuable insights into the motivations behind individuals’quest for spiritual meaning, identity, and a sense of belonging amid the interplay of virtual and real dimensions in a post-pandemic era.