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In The Future of Religion and the Religion of the Future, Theodore John Rivers explores the changing relationship between technology and religion. Rivers draws upon his expertise in the fields of medieval and religious history to discuss how the promotion of Christianity and monasticism in the Middle Ages began a process that has lent religious undertones to the way in which we interact with modern technology. Rivers ultimately suggests that the growing presence of technology makes it a likely candidate for the next religious form, competing with all the major religions in place today.
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The Future of Religion and the Religion of the Future Theodore John Rivers UNIVERSITY PRESS OF AMERICA,® INC. Lanham • Boulder • New York • Toronto • Plymouth, UK 11-362_Rivers.indb i 10/5/11 7:34 AM Copyright © 2012 by University Press of America,® Inc. 4501 Forbes Boulevard Suite 200 Lanham, Maryland 20706 UPA Acquisitions Department (301) 459-3366 Estover Road Plymouth PL6 7PY United Kingdom Toward a Philosophy of Culture, Vol. 3 All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America British Library Cataloging in Publication Information Available Library of Congress Control Number: 2011934940 ISBN: 978-0-7618-5654-2 (clothbound : alk. paper) eISBN: 978-0-7618-5655-9 ™ The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992 11-362_Rivers.indb ii 10/5/11 7:34 AM Dedicated to my wife, Doris Evans, and to the memory of my brother, William Gordon Rivers, July 4, 1943–April 21, 2009 11-362_Rivers.indb iii 10/5/11 7:34 AM 11-362_Rivers.indb iv 10/5/11 7:34 AM Contents Preface vii Acknowledgments ix 1 Religion: An Attempt at a Definition Introduction Sociability Causality Practicality Rationality Belief System Conclusion 1 1 3 6 8 10 12 14 2 Christianization of Technology Introduction The Biblical Background Linearity of Time Monasticism Conclusion 21 21 24 27 28 31 3 Secularization and Its Effects on Technology Introduction Historical Background Technology’s Essential Characteristics Technology’s Fatalism Technology’s Mediocrity Conclusion 37 37 39 43 46 49 51 v 11-362_Rivers.indb v 10/5/11 7:34 AM Contents vi 4 Technology and Religion: A Metaphysical Challenge Introduction The Threat of Technology Religious Applications How Religion Was Perceived in the Past How Religion Is Perceived in the Present How Religion Might Be Perceived in the Future Conclusion 55 55 57 59 60 64 67 70 5 Technological Theology Introduction The Nature of Technology Technological Theology Conclusion 74 74 78 80 83 6 The Future of Religion and the Religion of the Future Introduction Domination by Technology The Potentiality of Technology as a Religion Conclusion 86 86 89 92 94 Bibliography Index 11-362_Rivers.indb vi 97 103 10/5/11 7:34 AM Preface Some religions lose their importance and are superseded by others. Some lie hidden after an initial burst of activity to be reborn centuries later. Some persist in modified form, evolving from their original intent. Some transform both themselves and the world. Regardless where they originate, religions are expressive of human choices. Of those religions that have been lost and those that have survived, the future will introduce new varieties. Since religion is fundamental to human experience and since technology is a persistent and ever-present accompaniment to hu