paper and the pew, The
Book Description
In this fascinating exploration of faith and media consumption, Professor Myna German examines how religious identity shapes our relationship with news and information. Drawing from Bernard Berelson's groundbreaking 1949 research on newspaper reading habits, German ventures into uncharted territory by investigating whether different faith communities approach media consumption in distinctly different ways.
Through careful analysis of Mormon, Jewish, and Methodist communities in New York's suburban landscape, this study reveals compelling patterns in how believers seek out information, entertainment, and connection through print media. German's research uncovers the deeper motivations behind why people turn to newspapers, exploring whether the search for respite, social connection, and understanding of public affairs varies significantly across religious traditions.
What emerges is a nuanced portrait of how spiritual communities engage with the secular world through media, offering fresh insights into the intersection of faith and information consumption. The findings challenge assumptions about religious uniformity while highlighting the unique ways different faith traditions approach their need for news, entertainment, and social connection.
This work speaks to anyone curious about how religious identity influences daily choices and habits. German's research provides valuable understanding for those interested in the subtle ways faith shapes our interaction with the broader world, revealing patterns that extend far beyond simple media preferences into the realm of spiritual and social identity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)
📄 Length: 144 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Judaism
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Newspaper reading
- ✓ Explore Methodist Church
- ✓ Explore Mormon Church
- ✓ Explore Readership surveys
- ✓ Explore Mass media, united states
- ✓ Explore Newspaper reading
