NCIC
Issue 1
Has technology affected Religion?
"Ganesh, tonight self I sharpenIf there is little debate that technology has af- ing up a cutlass for you. I make
fected human life and living, then by extension, it up my mind to send you to hospital and go to jail for you. Look
has affected religion.
out, I warning you."
If the role of religion, organised or not, is to meet
human needs on both the community and the social It seemed funny on paper, yet I
level, then without doubt technology, which has could have identified with it.
transformed the way people live and communi- Growing up in a rural community
in East Trinidad, I heard words
cate, has a function in religion.
of a similar nature uttered countSo is technology posing a danger to our religion?
less times by intoxicated men
This is not a simple question to answer; but religion struggling to cope with their
has always changed with the times. In this age of sense of disappointment and
technological information, we cannot overlook the betrayal. And that, perhaps, is
changes and transformation (both good and bad) the biggest attraction of The
Mystic Masseur - a raw porthat technology brings.
trayal of our country's people.
Take the cell phone for example. Did our forefathers ever imagine the invention of such an ad- Depending on who you speak to,
the name of V.S. Naipaul will
vancement in technology?
either invoke awe or incite disCell phones are now being used to further commuappointment. Regardless of
nity social expression and even religion. This tiny,
what you think though, there is
yet powerful device has such tremendous impact
no denial of the quality or
that man does not seem to be able