Faith‐Based Media Literacy Education, History

Abstract

This limited survey of the history of faith‐based media literacy education includes its development in some communities, especially mainstream Protestants and Catholics, while acknowledging its existence in others, in one form or another, where extensive data is not yet available. In general faith communities that integrate media literacy education do so for three main reasons: (i) they want to use media to spread their beliefs, (ii) they realize the pervasive and often negative influence of media messages on the faith lives of their adherents, and (iii) they want to offer them navigational tools and skills to live faithful and meaningful lives in a world that may be hostile to or may not recognize or appreciate their beliefs and values. Media literacy, or media mindfulness, offers a positive and informed framework for bridging the two worlds of life and spirit in the person of faith and within faith communities that otherwise appear antithetical because of complex historical, moral, and theological issues residing in faith groups, and reflected back by the mores of the culture. While curricula and practices exist they are not coherent within faith communities or in widespread use within the communities considered. Globally there is a deep and growing interest evident in mainstream faith communities especially. This entry identifies many individuals from several countries who initiated media literacy in their faith communities and who continue this educational and spiritual work today.