Have you ever been scrolling through social media such as Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook or just browsing the internet and have seen something about a certain religion? Was it offensive or supporting a religion? Nowadays, people use the praying emoji when they want something that will not even matter in the future. People who practice a certain religion or pray on a regular basis may find this as disrespectful because prayer to them is important and people should not just throw around that symbol. That is just one way that technology has impacted religion. Over the years, social media and other technology has made a huge impact on religion in both positive and negative ways. Three ways that technology impacts religion are, the various religious texts and praying apps, the fact that anyone can register online to sign up to be a minister, and that the internet is an easy way to offend a religion.

One big way that technology impacts religion is the various religious apps. There are apps such as an online holy texts and online prayers. To some people, this would be very handy and convenient if you were not able to access a Bible or needed a prayer. After reading the reviews for the Holy Bible app, It is noticeable that most of the reviews say that it is a very helpful app and even has translations of difficult verses. Though many people see this app as a good addition to their lives, some people see this as a pointless app, since the book itself is the holy text, and reading from the actual book is important. Technology impacts the lives of the people who practice a particular religion because they are affected when using religious apps.

Another way that religion is impacted by technology is the websites that allow anyone to register to be a minister. Some people believe these websites are a positive addition to our society, while others take a negative point of view toward them. “Becoming ordained to be a minister online is a controversial subject. There are objections from some parties to the fact that a person who can become a minister online can call him or herself “a reverend” despite the fact that they are not obligated to complete all of the duties of a traditional reverend” (Have A Friend Get Ordained Online To Perform Your Wedding). This shows that the reason people may think being ordained online is bad, is because being a minister or reverent should be a more important process then just filling out a form online. What some people do not know, that when you register online, you are only able to officiate a wedding, and you are not allowed to take the role of a reverend.

One bad thing about all the new technology that has been invented is that there is many different, easy ways to cyberbully. People cyber bully about religions and judge each other when really, they do not understand a religion. It is also very easy to stay anonymous. “Cyber-bullying was experienced in 6% of cases and 9% have been bullied because of the religious symbols they wear or present”(Children Bullied Because of Faith). Even though 6% does not seem like that much, consider how many people use the internet. There are more than three million internet users in the world. Six percent of three million is more than 180,000 people. Now, that is a lot of people being cyber bullied on the internet just because of what they believe in.

In conclusion, these were just a few ways that technology has impacted religion. With our society using technology so often, there will be countless ways that technology impacts religion in the future. If there are already religious apps, websites that allow you to be ordained, and sadly cyber bullying of people of different faiths and religions, then who knows what will come in the future!

Work Cited
"Become a Minister - Get Ordained - Become a Minister - ULC." N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb.       2016.
http://www.ulc.org/become-a-minister/
"Have A Friend Get Ordained Online To Perform Your Wedding." N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb.  2016.
http://www.ulc.org/2012/06/have-a-friend-get-ordained-online-to-perform-your-wedding/

Lipsett, Anthea. "Children Bullied Because of Faith." The Guardian. Guardian News and          Media, 17 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/nov/17/bullying-faith

Miller, Rabbi Jason. "Social Media and Religion." The Huffington Post. The Huffington                       Post.com, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-jason-miller/social-media-and-religion_b_949686.html
"6 Ways Technology Has Changed Religion." Believe It or Not. N.p., 30 Dec. 2009. Web.   16 Feb. 2016.
http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2009/12/6-ways-technology-has-changed-religion/