The On Primary Article Essay Example

whether ordinary or extraordinary.

There is a need to establish a connection between the past and the present and seek agreement between the two for a prosperous life. Undoubtedly, technology has also impacted religion in contemporary society. One of these technological advancements is the cyborg, which has made comparisons between humans and inorganic technology. Many scholars have associated this technology with numerous challenges and considered it a threat to human identity and dignity.

The profound influence of the cyborg on human interaction has resulted in noticeable differences and impacts on social structure. This has led theologians and religious specialists to engage in discussions about bioethics related to this technology, while also highlighting the importance of considering its impact on techno culture due to prevalence of techno-pessimism and unease. Within Christianity, as well as other religions like Judaism, theological debates arise about how this technology affects human existence based on the belief that humans are made in God's likeness.

The impact of contemporary techno-culture on society and its way of life, regardless of its economic and social importance, is undeniable. Religion, specifically, continues to shape people's lives despite technological advancements. Ross Douthat, a prominent and thought-provoking voice of his generation, gained fame as the youngest Op-ed columnist for The New York Times. In his book "Bad Religion," he passionately explores how Christians in America have deviated from their true path, which poses a threat to American society. Douthat defines "Bad religion" as the gradual decline of traditional faith, potentially leading to the rise of false Christianities that can be seen as heretical.

The author contends in his book that distorting historical and traditional Christianities will result in detrimental versions of

the faith, fostering greed, hubris, and self-absorption. Notably, influential figures like Joel Osteen, Oprah Winfrey, and Glenn Beck are mentioned as representatives of traditional Christianity. The author elucidates how the prosperity gospel has shifted focus towards self-esteem and calls for a revival of Christian values. The perils of postmodernism are highlighted alongside the imperative for re-evangelization both domestically and globally. Commencing with an exploration of the post-war era when Orthodox Christianity gained prominence in American society, the author laments the decline of traditional Christianity and its substitution with damaging pseudo-Christian beliefs within American culture.

In the latter half of his book, the author examines prominent religious figures in American Christian society including Joel Osteen and Elizabeth Gilbert. He openly critiques those who participated in the Jesus Seminar, accusing them of self-absorption, lack of scholarly rigor, and superficiality. The decline of institutional Christianity is also explored, from a rigorous and bipartisan faith to a moral force involved in civil rights movements that have divided present-day debates. Douthat emphasizes the significant role orthodox Christianity has played in public life within the United States towards the end of the book. He argues for serious consideration of his claims both practically and intellectually. However, Douthat appears to overemphasize the importance of orthodox Christianity without addressing certain issues such as hostilities towards historical Christianity and widespread ignorance among people in America. Furthermore, disparities in wealth and consumerism that impact meaningful religiosity are not adequately addressed by the book.

Despite being fair and responsible, the book lacks scholarly qualities. The author's suggestions on heresy tend to undermine the fundamental paradoxes of orthodoxy. The book celebrates the uniqueness and dignity of the

human soul, which is made in the image of God, but dismisses the original sin. Nonetheless, the author presents a brilliant argument regarding orthodox Christianity, challenging and provoking critical Christians to take notice. The author candidly criticizes American religious figures, offering a blunt but fair diagnosis of the dark state of contemporary American society. Hence, the book serves as an excellent record of America's faith crisis, making Douthat's argument worthy of careful attention. Pastors could greatly benefit from utilizing the book in the process of restoring America's Christian orthodoxy.

The thesis of the author is that the decline of Christianity as the foundation of society has led to a decline in American politics, economics, and morals. The book also discusses the tension between the departing God and the historical Jesus in Christian theology, as seen through the struggle of Jesus' apostles to understand his true identityfootnote.

References

1. Clingerman, Forrest. "Doing Contextual Theology–By Angie Pears." Religious Studies
2. Philip Hefner, Technology and Human Becoming (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003), Anne Kull,"Cyborg Embodiment and the Incarnation," Currents in Theology and Mission 28, no. 3-4 (2001): 279-
3. Tal Brooke, ed., Virtual Gods: The Seduction of Power and Pleasure in Cyberspace (Eugene: HarvestHouse, 1997), Nigel M. de S. Cameron, The Pursuit of
4. Enhancement: The Latest from Brave NewBritain Internet (Christianity Today, 22 February 2006, accessed 10 March 2006);
5. availablefromhttp://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/108/32.0.html, C. Christopher Hook, "The Techno Sapiens Are Coming," Christianity Today 48, no.

1 (2004): 36-40. Review 36, no. 2 (2010): 133-134.

Putnam David E. Campbell (Simon and Schuster, 2010). The Journal of Politics 74, no. 04 (2012): e44.

Bible, New International Version (NIV).

Douthat, Ross. Bad religion: how we

became a nation of heretics. Simon and Schuster, 2012.

Green, Vivian Hubert Howard.

2000. A new history of Christianity published by Sutton Pub in Stroud.