Provides a contemporary view of the intertwined relationship of communication and religion The Handbook on Religion and Communication presents a detailed investigation of the complex interaction between media and religion, offering diverse perspectives on how both traditional and new media sources continue to impact religious belief and practice across multiple faiths around the globe. Contributions from leading international scholars address key themes such as the changing role of religious authority in the digital age, the role of media in cultural shifts away from religious institutions, and the ways modern technologies have transformed how religion is communicated and portrayed. Divided into five parts, the Handbook opens with a state-of-the-art overview of the subject’s intellectual landscape, introducing the historical background, theoretical foundations, and major academic approaches to communication, media, and religion. Subsequent sections focus on institutional and functional perspectives, theological and cultural approaches, and new approaches in digital technologies. The essays provide insight into a wide range of topics, including religious use of media, religious identity, audience gratification, religious broadcasting, religious content in entertainment, films and religion, news reporting about religion, race and gender, the sex-religion matrix, religious crisis communication, public relations and advertising, televangelism, pastoral ministry, death and the media, online religion, future directions in religious communication, and more. Explores the increasing role of media in creating religious identity and communicating religious experience Discusses the development and evolution of the communication practices of various religious bodies Covers all major media sources including radio, television, film, press, digital online content, and social media platforms Presents key empirical research, real-world case studies, and illustrative examples throughout Encompasses a variety of perspectives, including individual and institutional actors, academic and theoretical areas, and different forms of communication media Explores media and religion in Judeo-Christian traditions, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, religions of Africa, Atheism, and others The Handbook on Religion and Communication is an essential resource for scholars, academic researchers, practical theologians, seminarians, and undergraduate and graduate students taking courses on media and religion.

This communication handbook for faith communicators is written to reflect change in the critical nature of interfaith communities today. CD-ROM offers extra worksheets and resources. Reflects the basis needed for a newcomer and many resources for the veteran. Chapter includes layout & design, crisis management, web site planning, & TV production

In this anthology, prominent scholars in the field examine the relationship between religion and communication. Essays discuss the topic from various theoretical, methodological, and communication approaches including health communication, interpersonal communication, intercultural/interracial communication, organizational communication, rhetoric, and media studies. The cutting-edge research gathered here investigates religious ideologies and the role religious beliefs play in public life around the world. The book highlights the extent to which national and international events continue to propel religion into our public discourse, illuminating its critical role in how individuals and institutions see themselves and others. The scope, depth, and richness of the research presented here is critical, in this area of evolving scholarship, to understanding the centrality of religious beliefs and values to the ways we make sense of the world and our experiences in it.

Why do Gods persist in contemporary society? Religious revival and vitality all over the world contradict the vision of continuing declining of belief. This linear process of eclipse of the sacred in modern society has been proved wrong. Religion indeed is an expert system competent in ultimate meanings of human being and social order. Enzo Pace argues that religion persists as a symbol because of its intrinsic power of communication, in its will to wield the power to dominate the event of death, and to build a bridge between the visible and the invisible. The crucial passage from living word to holy scripture is a fundamental device in the construction of a system of religious belief. This book provides an insight on a new approach to religious studies, drawing from systems theory to consider religion as a means of communication, and offering a critical alternative to the secularization theory to explain why religion persists in modernity.

Offers straightforward and practical help for those who wish to spread the Christian message in an effective, relevant and engaging way. This book presents a step-by-step method to enable you to improve the various ways in which you go about communicating. It provides constructive advice that can be applied in various situations.