Frames and Final Thoughts
Asynchronous Session
Digital Religion: Worship God through Internet? View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sonny Zaluchu
Digital religion is a modern religious phenomenon in the era of technology. The transition from a traditional religious way to a technology-mediated way of religion is not easy. Various problems arise regarding the Biblical paradigm of worship, rites, and rituals. This study considers how the concept of digital religion appears in society and various new forms of worship, rites, and Christian rituals. Problems regarding biblical and non-biblical aspects will be the framing of the discussion in this paper, which is described with a qualitative approach. The whole review is directed to answer the main question, what things from traditional patterns must be maintained when the internet and digitalization take over.
Featured Behind Death and Construction of the Beyond: Historical and Narrative Analysis of the Mortuary Rituals of Current Religions in Latin America View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Fabio Andrés Medina Ostos
Although not everyone fears it, at least it is something that no one can be indifferent to. Death is the protagonist of this study that begins with an in-depth analysis of ancient civilizations, religious construction, the emergence of the gods and the perception of the Beyond. Later, it continues with a tour, hand in hand with the sacred books, through the paths of paradise, purgatory and hell, which have been created in the Catholic, Muslim and Jewish religions, as a product of the contacts and migrations of the most important civilizations of the world; finally, we explore the symbolic, narrative and social complex of these three religions, which materializes in funeral rituals and how to this day it is still the way of saying goodbye to those who have transcended to another form of existence.
Contemplative Pedagogy and the Meaning of Death: Using Practices Drawn from Religions in a College Classroom in the US View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Bishal Karna
I share my experience of using contemplative practices, adapted for secular college classroom from different religious traditions, in a course on death and dying. The topic of death brings up intense emotions for most people, especially for young adults. These emotions often prevent students from engaging with the course materials, obstructing learning. They also spill over into the classroom space. Over the years, I have realized that teaching and learning about death requires that I also teach students how to manage their emotions and intentionally help them find meaning in the fact of human suffering and mortality. Contemplative pedagogy and practices have enabled me to do so. I share in this presentation the difficulties I have faced, the lessons I have learned, and the best practices I have developed in teaching about death. I hope to contribute to the larger conversations about teaching difficult topics, teaching the whole person (instead of isolating the intellectual side of our students from their emotional and spiritual sides), and the problematic issues with using religious practices in secular settings.
Spiritual Intelligence, Burnout, and Loneliness: A Study among Roman Catholic Sisters View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Simran Pillarisetty
Roman Catholic sisters have committed their lives to serving God through religious vows that require them to relinquish their former lives and work towards promoting education, health, love, and charity in local communities. However, misconceptions about their way of life and mental well-being abound, warranting a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. The present study examines the relationship between spiritual intelligence, burnout, and loneliness among Roman Catholic sisters. The study included 50 sisters from Hyderabad, India, divided into two sub-groups based on their years of consecration and occupation. The Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and a semi-structured interview were used to collect data, which was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, t-tests, and thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that spiritual intelligence was negatively related to both burnout and loneliness. No significant differences were found between sisters consecrated for less than 15 years and those consecrated for more than 15 years, or between those in teaching occupations and those in non-teaching occupations. Qualitative analysis identified promotive, protective, and dogmatic factors as well as factors impeding psychological well-being of the sisters. The study recommends spiritual intelligence training as a mechanism to buffer burnout and loneliness among Roman Catholic sisters. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Roman Catholic sisters and underscore the importance of addressing their mental health needs.
