Authors :
Abubakar Mamman-Muhammad
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3UGwDn8
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7110808
Abstract :
The relationship that exists between
technology and religion has become a phenomenon that is
culturally interactive, however, the degree and scope of
synergy are often complex and progressive in a globalized
society where technology has evolved into a sophisticated
institution that is sustained or locked in a grid of digital
infrastructure negotiating both time and space. On the
other hand, the popular Marxist perception that termed
religion as “the opium of the people” has gradually
metamorphosed into a multi-faceted institution, wherein
it seeks to address not only man’s spiritual but also man’s
extensive communal, partisan, cultural, economic, and
other needs. We have also seen the proliferation of
religious movements that have grown out of these societal
needs who advocate for a new social order through
administrative transparency, accountability in service,
religious and cultural harmony in our societies. The
interests of these movements though conflicting
sometimes manage to address our common and practical
societal needs always. This suggests that religion in
continuum of its social responsibilities has taken a dive
into new territories by adopting and deploying new
technologies, it has negotiated for a space in the mediation
of Nigeria’s emerging social order. Apparently, this study
examines the two leading religions in Nigeria,
Christianity, and Islam and how these religions are using
technology to reach its expanding audiences. This paper
suggests that religion is only able to perform its task
effectively today by depending among other things upon
the mastery of practical components of technology as
evangelical tools in mediating the new social order
(administrative transparency, accountability in service,
religious and cultural harmony in our societies).
Keywords :
Cultural harmony; Digital evangelism; Moral realism; Religiosity; Social order; Transparency
The relationship that exists between
technology and religion has become a phenomenon that is
culturally interactive, however, the degree and scope of
synergy are often complex and progressive in a globalized
society where technology has evolved into a sophisticated
institution that is sustained or locked in a grid of digital
infrastructure negotiating both time and space. On the
other hand, the popular Marxist perception that termed
religion as “the opium of the people” has gradually
metamorphosed into a multi-faceted institution, wherein
it seeks to address not only man’s spiritual but also man’s
extensive communal, partisan, cultural, economic, and
other needs. We have also seen the proliferation of
religious movements that have grown out of these societal
needs who advocate for a new social order through
administrative transparency, accountability in service,
religious and cultural harmony in our societies. The
interests of these movements though conflicting
sometimes manage to address our common and practical
societal needs always. This suggests that religion in
continuum of its social responsibilities has taken a dive
into new territories by adopting and deploying new
technologies, it has negotiated for a space in the mediation
of Nigeria’s emerging social order. Apparently, this study
examines the two leading religions in Nigeria,
Christianity, and Islam and how these religions are using
technology to reach its expanding audiences. This paper
suggests that religion is only able to perform its task
effectively today by depending among other things upon
the mastery of practical components of technology as
evangelical tools in mediating the new social order
(administrative transparency, accountability in service,
religious and cultural harmony in our societies).
Keywords :
Cultural harmony; Digital evangelism; Moral realism; Religiosity; Social order; Transparency
