We Call Him GOD Constructing Religion in the Age of Social Media | Charles Murphy
We Call Him GOD Constructing Religion in the Age of Social Media | Charles Murphy
As human beings, we owe it to ourselves and the rest of humanity to question our beliefs, and if necessary, the beliefs of others who may be able to use rhetoric, myth, superstition, or power to further personal agendas and to affect life and conditions for others in society. There are many reasons why we are afraid to question these beliefs, from the fact that they are often deeply embedded through indoctrination, to the fact that they allow us to remain in a comfort zone that shields us from things (or people) that we are unfamiliar with. Many people use social media as an extension of themselves. They post any manner of hopes and dreams, accomplishments and failures, political and religious views, beliefs, likes, dislikes, adventures, and even the most minute details of their lives. Social Media makes us feel important, in a world where we run the risk of slipping into obscurity even amongst those who know us best. This is why it has become one of the most culturally significant institutions of our day. Social Media is like a two-way mirror, we can see out, but the world can see in as well. It could be argued that many people allow the curtains to be open a bit wide, but we can use that window to explore how people construct religion, with the working theory that people created Gods, rather than the other way around.
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Charles R. Murphy was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio. In 1978, he graduated from Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio. He later joined the United States Air Force. After serving six years, Charles returned home, taking employment as a correctional officer, a police officer at Miami University of Oxford, and finally, as a police officer for West Chester Township, in Butler County, Ohio.
After over 25 years as a public servant, Charles retired from police work, but not before completing a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University, and a M.Ed. in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He now lives in Florida, enjoying retired life.