Article
Transferred, Mediated or Transformed: Considering the Design, Features, and Presentation of Sacred Text Mobile Applications
Journal of Contemporary Religion
(2021)
Abstract
This comparative study of 100 iTunes mobile applications featuring sacred texts from five major world religions emphasizes how such texts are represented when digitized. Specifically, this research investigates the technological affordances these apps offer, how these affordances are communicated to users, and the messages about religion these app designs communicate. This article thus portrays the relationship between innovative technological features and traditional religious presentations of sacred texts in mobile apps. We find that app designers use one of three strategies so that sacred texts become either transferred, mediated or transformed when digitized.
Keywords
- iTunes apps,
- religious applications,
- digital religion,
- sacred texts,
- affordances,
- mobile apps
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 2, 2021
DOI
10.1080/13537903.2021.1878633
Citation Information
Ruth Tsuria, Wendi Bellar, Heidi A. Campbell and Kyong James Cho. "Transferred, Mediated or Transformed: Considering the Design, Features, and Presentation of Sacred Text Mobile Applications" Journal of Contemporary Religion Vol. 36 Iss. 1 (2021) p. 57 - 78 ISSN: 1469-9419 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ruth-tsuria/22/