Conformed religion

Brington, H. (2010). USA today (Arlington, Va.) ISSN: 0734-7456 Date: Page: 11. USA Today, (News), 11-11.


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Today we can easily search on the internet with the help of social media to look up churches, and now even review them.
It astonished me that without even realizing it even churches have been conformed to the new use of social media in their churches.
Online church viewings, offering, donations, and even social apps to follow them and what the church is up to. Henry G. Brinton the pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Virginia and also author of few books on Christianity writes,

Our culture is going to lose the sanctuaries that have been sacred escapes for thousands of years."
The use of social media has made the sacred meaning of attending church (physically) for holy intentions and religious practices broken and conformed into a new way of practice in religion. (Brington, 2010)

Religious vitality requires a balancing act between private contemplation and public conversation, and both practices require the establishment of trust (Brington, 2010)

The use of social media does benefit in some ways for religion and churches, such as good reviews, or location whereabouts, what their religious background and practices are.

But what if the media tells another story? We cannot always rely or be accountable for what is said within social media, especially about religion.
Each religion is made and continued from a relationship and a cyber virtual relationship wouldn't be considered fulfilling in most religions.
When religion utilizes social media to connect with the world and allow people to feel more comfortable they must also be mindful for what could happen.
If private information leaks out, or if someone is offended by a post on twitter or Facebook, that could cause damage to the church and also the outlook people have on that religion.
Social media has many benefits but for religion it's a bit messy.
Churches today are so fearful to say something offensive or worry what the public will do or act from how the church uses social media.
Churches and religion conform and become weak from the use of social media, allowing years of tradition, culture and practice to be broken and slowly disappear.