Winter 2008 - Media, Technology and Faith

This is the second edition of Shalom! in less than two years on some aspect of technology, which probably tells you something about the rapid pace of change. Many of us probably think we are reasonably savvy when it comes to computers and other electronic gadgets, but on the continuum of knowing and/or effectively using what is possible technologically, we probably are way on the low end of the continuum. We know enough, however, to know the implications of technology and media for how we do our jobs in industry or government as well as how we do church and communicate our Christian faith. So in this edition, there are articles about Christians in Hollywood, using media in worship, and the portrayal of Christian faith in media such as newspapers and rock-and-roll music. There are also articles about making life better and safer for senior citizens with new technologies, and about the uses and misuses of the communication tools made possible by the Internet. Demonstrating that technology is a relative term, there is also an article describing how at the very basic end of the continuum are methodologies that can make life better for people who experience poverty and other hardships.