USA Today takes a look at the phenomenon of podcasting sermons and other faith-related content, with commentary focusing on editorial practices that keep the message on target, however subjective the target might be. The article looks as sites such as God’s iPod (which, it should be noted, now has an application called God’s iPhone), SermonAudio, GodTube, and RabbiPod.
A survey last year by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that more people used the Internet to look for religious and spiritual information than to download music, participate in online auctions or visit adult websites.
And a list updated recently by the podcast directory Podcast Alley shows 2,462 podcasts in the religion and spirituality category, the fourth highest among 21 categories, and more than in sports, news and politics.
“The good news about podcasts is this is probably another example of religious traditions trying to keep alive and relevant,” says David Roozen, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
But a possible downside is the higher probability of teachings of questionable quality. “There can be charlatans out there,” he says.
Israel Anderson, a software designer in Denver who operates a free site called God’s iPod, screens all podcasts submitted to him and weeds out most.
Part of what’s driving the popularity of religious podcasts is dissatisfaction with organized religion, Anderson says. “If you’re in a home church or go primarily for fellowship but your church isn’t particularly good at teaching, a podcast is a good way to hear from a wide variety of people.”
You can read the whole thing here.