The Internet as a Religion Killer

With our last lecture on the importance of technology on Social Movements, it was interesting to see that technology can also have a negative effect on organized beliefs. Before the advent of the Internet, many people were bound by religion one way or another. They shared a common belief and view that guided them in a direction in life. But with the internet growing at a rapid pace it was also intriguing to see that there was a decline of religious preference. This conflicted with the concept that the Internet brought people together and united them (Ex. Reddit…).  However I think that this is a beneficial trend that should continue and should continue to influence people’s decision in their lives.

While it does seem counter intuitive that the Internet is affecting religious membership, recent changes to the Internet are beginning to limit the powers that religion has on online users. This started in the 90’s when Allen Downey of Olin College of Engineering has stated that there was a spike of people that had no religion. He explained the reason for this trend was that there was an increased level of college education and increased use of the Internet. All of these trends led to more well-rounded educated people that were able to decide whether religion was right for them. This led eventually led to the churches trying to counteract information that criticized their organization. With the Internet being a treasure trove of information it is easy to find out about the sketchy history of religion. Combined with the fact that the idea of net neutrality will limit the impact that religious organization will have on the internet, they won’t be able to push their contents on to us anymore. As the Internet becomes more embedded into our lives it seems that religion won’t be able to adapt to that change. Apparently if religion isn't integrated into the daily lives of people it will lead to more trolls and bullies. However, the article states that it isn't the trolls that will take down religion; it will be the intellects that will bring a true argument against religion that will bring down religion. This will be the ultimate downfall of religion if people decided to argue against it because the Internet will spread this argument to everyone.

Even though religious influence is declining because of the Internet, it is a trend that we must respect and change with. Religion has always been constantly evolving and it should evolve with the current age. Pope Francis is doing a great job at defining what a pope should do at the present time. He is an example of what religion should be and he is changing what the Catholic Church should be in this day in age. This leads to his actions being magnified on social media and being augmented to a wider audience. This is how religion will grow today. Through positive actions and reforms, more people will be able to accept religion for what it is instead of looking at its negative history and being shunned from it. This is the example that religion should follow and this is how much influence that the Internet has on the religion.

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/14/why_the_internet_is_slowly_strangling_religion_partner/