Birgit Meyers article Media, aesthetics, and the study of contemporary religion made me consider what makes a space sacred. I was also fascinated by the idea that "the disposition of the lonely individual in search of God is part and parcel of a discursive, and hence shared, cultural construction" (Meyer 159).

The above quote sparked my interest as I have always viewed religion as being flexible in the way an individual can choose to be a part of a religious community or, alternatively, search and connect with God in their own way. Meyer has made me realise that even an individual who may be struggling to find belief, or only ever embraces spirituality alone, is still a part of a large religious discourse and is connected to fellow believers- whether they are searching for answers in solitude or sitting in Mass with the community. This idea of being a part of something larger, even if you do not desire to be, is further shown by Meyer who states "without the particular social structures, sensory regimes, bodily techniques, doctrines, and practices that make up a religion, the searching individual craving experience of God would not exist" (159). This is something I am eager to explore further this semester as I tackle the question whether an individual can find religion without identifying with the masses and cultural constructions around their faith.

Meyer's discussion of sensational forms, a term I was previously unfamiliar with, made me think about what makes a space sacred. As I read the article I considered the role of the Church as a sacred space as opposed to the television box. Meyer revealed the importance of the Church as a sensational form as "they not only generate but also heat up and intensify religious feelings" (160). I feel Church is a sacred space as it brings devout individuals together, is a physical site of worship, and offers an escape from the outside world in order for communities and individuals to reach a state of spirituality. I find it difficult to understand how a television box can offer individuals the same connection with God; I am looking forward to learning about religion and media in this course so I can grow more of an appreciation of the television as a sensational form too. The reasons why I am apprehensive about the television as a sensational form is because I believe people will watch television as a pastime, and to relax and escape reality. If this is the usual attitude believers have to their TV set, how can they switch from watching shows for leisure to a religious service and still feel that the television box can be a sacred space, too?

Reference:

Meyer Birgit. 2012. "Religious SEnsations Media, Aesthetics, and the Study of Contemporary Religion". In G. Lynch and J. Mitchell. Religion, Media, and Culture: A Reader. London and New York: Roulhedge. (159-170).

Image:

http://www.hfreunion.org/InsideChurch.htm