The Deus in Machina Project: Exploring Religion and Technology in Historical and Cross-Cultural Perspective
Welcome to the Homepage of the Deus in Machina Project!
The aim of this project is to generate new understandings of the deep and mutually determinative relationship of religion and technology. Its specific goals are:
(a) to review and assess the theoretical discourses which define these two realms of human experience, action and perception;
(b) to develop a cross-cultural and transnational comparative framework of analysis in which discrete cases of religious encounter with technologies can be situated;
(c) to set an agenda for scholarly and public discussion concerning our contemporary global circumstance, defined by the ever-deepening penetration of advanced technologies in everyday life, and, at the same time, the increasingly public “return to religion” on the world stage.
At the core of this project was a workshop held on 19-21 January 2007 at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (Canada), which brought together an international group of scholars working in various disciplinary traditions: theology, philosophy, communication and media studies, anthropology, history, sociology, cultural studies, engineering, and science and technology studies.
This website showcases the contributions of the workshop attendees, while also providing an electronic salon for scholarly exchange and debate, suggestions, comments and questions, teaching resources, bibliographies, announcements and links to related sites. Browse through the site, and feel free to post your comments and/or questions on the message board. As the site develops, more features will be added, so be sure to check back regularly.
