Mitchell, Jolyon and Sophia Marriage, eds. Edinburgh: T&T
Clark, 2003. xv + 407 pp. $34.95 (USD).ISBN: 0-567-08807-3.
[1] Mediating Religion is an outgrowth of the Third International
Conference on Media, Religion and Culture, following the pattern
of Rethinking Media, Religion and Culture and Practising
Religion in the Age of Media. Like its predecessors this
edited volume reflects the wide range of ongoing research in the
field of religion, media, and culture. It provides a snapshot
of a moment in research.
[2] The volume is divided into seven sections: Identity, Media and
Religion; Conflict, Media and Religion; Popular Piety, Media and
Religion; Media Literacy and Religion; Film and Religion; New Media
and Religion and finally Media Ethics and Religion. The variety
of topics covered in these sections allows for an effective overview
of the breadth of this growing field. The works contained
in each section are equally diverse, giving the reader a glimpse
of the many possibilities for research in this field. The
works also represent a variety of geographical locations and religious
traditions. It is evident that the events of September 11, 2001,
had an impact on the thinking of some of the contributors to the
volume. It is highly appropriate that this volume makes space
for conversation about this significant “media event.” What
is also highly commendable is that, in keeping with its metaphor
of conversation, the volume introduces voices that view the events
of 9/11 through various cultural and geographical lenses, avoiding
any simplistic analysis.
[4] Besides the collection of twenty-nine insightful essays, this
volume includes four extremely helpful annotated bibliographies
covering the areas of Media Ethics; New Media and Religion; Film
and Religion; and Communication Theology. These bibliographies
are invaluable tools to both the beginning and advanced researcher. The
annotations help sort through the growing mounds of material being
published in this general field. The inclusion of annotated bibliographies
and thorough indices makes this volume incredibly user friendly
for the researcher and student of media, religion, and culture.
[5] This volume will be an invaluable resource to researchers and
interested readers in various fields. It is obvious that this
volume targets the student and researcher in the field of religion,
media, and culture. But, as this volume includes perspectives
from persons in various fields, its possible audiences are many. Communication
students, film students, and researchers in popular culture will
find many of the essays useful and provocative. Ethicists,
religious leaders, and educators will all find this volume useful
to them. The appeal of the work lies in its variety and its
accessibility.
[6] For example, people (like myself) who are primarily interested
in film and religion will find themselves exposed to a far wider
range of thinking in media, religion, and culture than their specific
field could offer. These essays are highly readable, and the
researcher will quickly see how the research in these intersecting
fields inform and provoke each other. One is struck by the
sheer variety of approach and theoretical methodology being put
to use in this field of study. One may be forgiven in thinking
that this field has been fully mined, but Mitchell points to even
more possibilities in the conclusion of the work.
[6] Mediating Religion provides a comprehensive overview
of current research trends in media, religion, and culture. The
variety of essays can prove to be both inspiring and overwhelming. There
is a lot of material to be waded through, and the reader is likely
to use the annotated bibliographies as well as the shorter bibliographies
at the end of each chapter to peruse further reading. The
book provides brief and tantalizing beginnings of conversations
and also provides the information needed to continue any such conversation
in more depth.
Joanne Mercer
Queen’s College
St. John’s, Newfoundland
jmercer@mun.ca
