Civil Sin: Evil and Purgation in the Media

Abstract

“Today, we can say unequivocally that there are two major types of theology: (1) academic theology, which concerns itself with critically relating the meanings of sacred texts and traditions to a religious community, and (2) popular theology, which uncritically establishes, maintains, and changes the mythological assumptions of a people, especially through the mass media. Both theologies have cosmological implications and are shaped by anthropological assumptions. … It is increasingly clear in the modem world that popular theology has far more direct and immediate influence than academic theology on culture and society.”