Raylee
Does the growth of technology clash with religious teachings surrounding the modern world?
Has technology gone too far from a religious standpoint? Do biblical scriptures referencing a modern world reflect the improvements in today’s technology? #technology #tech #computer
5 answers
Erik Wernevi
Erik’s Answer
This is a great and difficult question, the answer depends on once personal outlook of the role of technology and religion. Overall, I believe that technology can be both a force for good and for bad, it depends on how you use it. This is where religion comes in, religion, or once believes, can serve as moral guiding principle for how we should design and use technology. I personally believe that technology can help humanity, just witness the many people around the world that have been lifted out of poverty in recent decades in the developing world. So although recently there have been well publicized examples of technology being miss-used, such as social media enabling mass-incitement to violence, we have an opportunity, and responsibility, to create technology that serves for the good of humanity - do unto others as you would have them do to unto you.
Peregrin Gilman
Peregrin’s Answer
I am in the camp that it is the concepts not the words that matter as we move into the modern world. Your question of has it gone "too far" is the harder point to look at. The first challenge I have with that is that different religions may have different definitions in the first place, so what is "too far" for one may not be for another. From there, you would have to look at whether you believe that the words are the words and that is that. All religious groups will have sects that form this. To an Amish person, even having a motor may be "too far", some sects don't believe in modern medicine, stating that is "too far".
If you are looking at it from a more mainstream view, then it comes down to religion providing a moral setting in which technology is designed, developed, and implemented. I would agree with the point above that religious organizations (as a representation of their religious beliefs) are likely to be late adopters to a number of technologies or their use cases, as they need to have time to assess the impact to their religious views.
Very deep question, hopefully my response was of interest to you as you ponder this and other great thoughts.
Kenny Hauser
Kenny’s Answer
Religion and technology are very different things. As technology advanced religion would need to adapt to the changes with technology though. Technology will always move forward while Religion tries to stay in the past. This is were we stay in the balance. But as time moves on technology will be accepted more and more forcing religion to adapt.
Joyce Perez
Joyce’s Answer
One of the gifts religion brings to the world is an improved understanding of the human impacts of technology. Often, it is those who espouse religious beliefs who are able to sound the alarm when the use of a particular technology harms humanity.
Jerome Levy
Jerome’s Answer
The most reasonable answer seems to be this: Take the values presented ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", "Honor your parents", "Do not steal", etc...) as guidelines for success in this world, but view the remainder as historical background.
It's difficult to rationalize the use of modern transportation, medical technology, communications, and computers in terms of what was available centuries ago. But it is often possible to reconcile the concepts with what is in front of us at the time. This has been going on for a long time and will continue to do so.
As to "going too far"... that needs to be answered in terms of the technology. Is saving a life "going too far"? How about preventing an accident? How about determining when an accident might occur? Hopefully, common-sense, the legislative system, and ultimately, market power will keep things on a somewhat sane course, and I think that's the best we can hope for.