Religion vs. Television Competitors in Cultural Context

Subjects:

• Religious Studies » Religious Studies (General)
• Philosophy » Philosophy (General)
• Popular Culture » Radio, TV

Reviews:

• ...[A]nyone interested in these two institutions can find value in his book. The competition is deeper than disputes between televangelists and mainline religionists and more than arguments that mass entertainment is eroding religious values, though Newman carefully analyzes those contentions. In his view, the competition is essentially cultural, although it is being played out with the socioeconomic rsources of power: money, politics, and publicity.... His analysis of televangelism and its critics bring fresh insights. He aptly summarizes--and rejects--arguments that television is supplanting social functions traditionally supplied by religions, whether by intent or by default due to secularization.
  —
  Choice
• This groundbreaking work initiates a major turn in contemporary thought....[N]ewman investigates, with finely sharpened philosophical tools, how religion and television are cultural competitors. The author is to be commended for effectively introducing these issues into philosophy and thus reinvigorating the discipline.
  —Studies in Religion: Sciences Religieuses

Table of Contents:

• Competition Between Religion and Television: Basic Issues and Concerns
• Competition Between Religion and Television: Motives and Strategies
• Religious Television
• Competition Between Religion and Television: Competing Forms of Experience and Culture
• Bibliography
• Index