Can Technology Be Spiritual?
(Originally submitted for publication, April 15, 2021, under the Faith Matters series in the Flamborough Review community newspaper.)
From its earliest days, the church has always used the latest technologies available in order to convey God’s message of Love and Hope.
First, we used the human voice and memory. Stories of faith were passed on orally and were committed to memory. Often, they were put into poetic verse or song to make them easier to memorize.
When writing was invented, we used scrolls to record and pass along the stories of faith. They were cumbersome and had to be copied by hand.
During the Dark Ages, when literacy rates were low in Europe, we utilized stained glass windows as early as the 7th century to tell the stories of faith through pictures for people who could not read.
When the printing press was invented in the 15th century, the very first book off the press was a bible. It was the first book to be mass printed. At last, people could have the stories of faith in their own hands instead of having to rely on a priest to tell them the stories.
Similarly, with the invention of microphones, radio, television, digital projectors, and now the internet.
COVID has forced us to alter how we worship. Now we worship online, either through livestreams, Zoom meetings, pre-recorded YouTube videos, podcasts, or otherwise. During this time when we are forced to be apart from each other, virtually every place of worship has adapted to virtual online worship in one form or another.
There is no question that worshipping in person is preferable to worshipping online. It’s kind of like watching a video of a woodland scene and feeling like you’ve gone for a walk in the woods. It’s not the same. But, when we cannot be together in person, God’s Spirit works through the technology that God’s people invented in order to bring us together and continue to experience the stories of faith.
In this time of isolation, if you are feeling disconnected or empty inside, your local house of worship likely has an online means by which you can connect. Google us. We’re here waiting to embrace you…virtually.
Rev. Ryk Brown
St. James United Church
