As technology permeates into every aspect of life, it is interesting to see how some of the oldest institutions have adapted to changing ways of life. The Catholic church has done its best to adapt and keep up, and the results seem to illustrate many of the disconnects between old and new.
One product the Vatican has had a hand in is the all-new “e-rosary” bracelet. While few would have predicted that the Catholics would venture into wearables, the bracelet can help you track your prayer and meditation and is waterproof and compatible with both Android and IOS devices.
Another venture into tech by the Catholic Church was the app “Follow JC GO!” which is a game modeled after Pokemon Go where the user catches Saints instead of Pokemon. The game hoped to make learning about the Bible more fun and interactive.
These examples highlight the ways older institutions, especially religion are experiencing never before seen problems when it comes to technology.
Leaders in the Church can’t really understand the dynamics driving our interaction with technology, which I think is evident when considering the projects they have undertaken above. They are forced to lag behind existing trends that are already losing momentum by the time the Catholic church enters the picture.
Religion is also having other issues with technology. Youth are being exposed to a far wider range of experiences through the internet than they would have been exposed to in the past. Many behaviors that go against religious practices are romanticized in popular media. Conversely, people are more vulnerable to radicalization on the internet, where religion can be leveraged to harmful ends.
We are still in the midst of the technological revolution, and we are still able to see the ways that age-old institutions like the church are adapting to the momentous shifts in many of the ways that society works. Pray that the church leaders are blessed with insight and guidance, and make sure to log your prayer in your E-rosary smartwatch.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44140844