Pages

Sep 29, 2011

Technology kills a form of Christianity

This article by Terry Mattingly caught my eye: Goodbye to that old mountain religion.  Living in the mountains, I'm somewhat familiar with this idea. To summarize, the forms of Christianity that sprung up in the appalachians are dying off. Whether that's good or bad is another issue, but they certainly are. Technology plays a role in that increased transportation and communication to the region have brought outside influences. These have come through radio (gospel and now praise-band music) and missionaries from other branches of Christianity that seek to evangelize and area and (possibly) take some sheep from other branches. The local forms are not holding up against these new ones.

Whether good or bad, increased access is making this form with Sacred Harp singing and baptizing in the rushing rivers decrease in size. 

No comments:

Post a Comment