Siphephelo
One of the arguments that arise when asking why religion is still relevant is that the more secular society becomes, the less religious people will become.
The persistence of religious belief and practice in secular societies is a complex phenomenon, particularly in the rise of banal religions that integrate spirituality into daily life. The media plays a significant role in shaping and perpetuating religious narratives, influencing core values and rituals in new forms despite institutional religions' decline.
"Jesus Walks" by Kanye West draws back Christian spirituality into popular music while demonstrating the strength of religion in nonreligious contexts. The song shows how deeply ingrained religion is in people's lives, challenging the idea that it is unimportant. The incorporation of religious imagery with ordinary situations in the music video illustrates how religion remains relevant and empowering in today's world.
Here is a link to the music video: https://youtu.be/67j5zvTX6Mo?si=WbHQCp8nXlm2FZdh
The movie The Matrix shows that religious symbolism is not disappearing but rather expanding in secular media, especially concerning Christian concepts of salvation and messianic prophecy. Neo, the movie's Christian-like character, stands in for a savior and highlights how religion continues to shape human thinking despite secularization's predicted fall.
