Software and Hardware for Religious Practice
Does technology separate people from their sense of religious devoteness, or can it help them develop the skills necessary to practice their religion more affectively? Developers of software and hardware like "The Journey to Wild Divine", "Time it Right", and electroencephalogram equipment would say that technology can significantly aid people on their quests for religious fulfillment.
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Time it Right
"let there be lights" |
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ilkone i800
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Use biofeedback hardware and computer software to guide you through exercises to promote health and well-being |
A home automation system that controls home systems based on the Jewish calendar |
Electroencephalograms have been used to measure the brain activity of Tibetan Buddhist monks |
A cell phone that points practicing Muslims in the direction of Mecca, tells them what time to pray, and contains the Koranic text |
Read customer reviews for this product on Amazon (scroll halfway down on site to see reviews) |
Read an article about home automation technology and the Sabbath day |
Read a New York Time's article about eastern meditation practices studied by scientists using computers and electroencephalographic equipment |
Read about other religions and their specially designed cellphones |
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Journey to Wild Divine: Maybe this program only works for those who think it will. Maybe it is the perfect example of the placebo effect at work. Perhaps people could not pay the money to buy this program, and sit in silent meditation for free and be just as well off. The problem with this is that many people cannot initiate a time to sit silently and focus on controlling their breathing. There are too many distractions. The Journey to Wild Divine gives them a boost. By using the technology, people are investing in becoming more conscious of themselves.
Home Automation Systems: Home automation systems can be useful for people practicing religions that prohibit the use of electronics on certain days for religious observance. If people use reliable home automation systems, then people may be able to practice their religion in greater comfort. With this increased comfort and convenience, unneccesary stress is decreased, and there is more time for people to focus on cultivating harmony in their lives through their religion.
Electroencephalograms and measuring meditation: We are living in a time where suspicion and criticism are taught before trust and acceptance. This protects us from people trying to exploit or harm us, but leaves us rigid and distrustful. Living in this kind of culture, technology that gives us hard evidence of the relationship between the mind, the body, and religious practice is useful. We can learn to trust, while knowing why we are depending on what we are. There is danger in appealing to the unknowable through religious practice, but using technology helps eliminate the danger and preserve the positive values promoted by religion. Throughout history, we can see the extraordinary influence (both positive and negative) of religion. Hopefully mixing religion with science and technology will help religion positively influence the world as time continues.
Ilkone i800: Phones designed to be used by people from specific religions can help people integrate their religion into their daily lives, where cellphones and various other devices are needed. Just as business people or athletes have devices to aid them in their daily lives, religious people can use technology to do the same. By expanding technology to all groups of people in our Information Age, we are embracing the diversity of our world.
