Church Responses and Theological Resources for Technological Addiction

Abstract

In this paper, I engage work done in philosophy, theology, and addiction science to argue that the Church possesses resources for preventing technology addiction. First, I briefly sketch what technology addiction is and provide evidence to suggest that it is rapidly growing. Then, I suggest two causes for the growth of technology addiction: boredom and the desire for a meaningful identity. Third, I discuss two resources that the ancient Churches possess to address these two causes. These two resources are the doctrine of divinisation and the sacrament of reconciliation. Fourth, I argue that some Protestant traditions possess similar practices for addressing technology addiction. The significance of my thesis is that the Church can help preventing non-addicted people from falling prey to technology addiction.