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Welcome! At Signs and Wonders we sift through the World Wide Web looking for evidence of emerging religious futures. Our mission is to provide our readers -- religious futurists, ministers, and just plain spiritual people -- with a guided tour of the web, stopping wherever we see the future of faith unfolding before our eyes. We update this site every three days or so, so come back again and join us on our next trip. If you want to comment on anything you read here or discuss religious futures in general, come over to our forum. |
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April 14, 2000 [technological] -- Toward a Science of Consciousness by Cody Clark at 10:55 AM (EST)  In the last 10 years, with the advent of new technologies and discoveries, there has been an explosion of study in the field of consciousness studies. The Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona explores this relatively new domain, which combines the disciplines of cognitive psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, integrative medicine and applied mathematics, the Center for Consciousness Studies was born at the UA in December 1997.A profile of the center explores the state of the field on the opening day of its fourth conference, "Toward a Science of Consciousness." editor -- Whether they are studying the molecular basis of sleep or the mathematical patterns of neuron firings, the results -- the very mechanics of consciousness -- should have basic implications for religion. I might have to add this Center to my scanning sources. [feature] -- Irish Jesuits offer popular online prayer service by Cody Clark at 8:24 AM (EST) Sacred Space offers a new scripture reading and guided prayer service. Each day. Billing itself as a space for contemplation and a rest from flashy graphics and advertising, Sacred Space is attracting thousands of new seekers each week. editor -- This is evidence of a trend of increasing online spirituality. As more people spend their work days in front of computers, will sites like Sacred Space be tolerated (and even encouraged) by employers? There is a trend toward increasing presence of spirituality in the workplace. [economic] -- Amish wholesalers using Internet to sell their goods. by Cody Clark at 8:14 AM (EST) From beliefnet, Amish craftsmen are using the internet to sell their wares. By using Internet middlemen, Amish vendors seek to expand their markets while keeping 'modernity' at bay. editor -- It has often been said that the Internet can isolate individuals from the real world. It's interesting to see a religious organization using the Internet to do just that. They have to make a living, but they are trying to do so with as little intrusion into their daily lives as well. [feature] - Buddhist center is a Meditaion Mecca by Cody Clark at 11:29 AM (EST) A San Francisco Chronicle feature explains the booming popularity of Spirit Rock Meditation Center run by Buddhists in West Marin, California. People of all religious backgrounds come to unwind through yoga, meditation and other spiritual practices. They come, too, to satisfy their curiosity about Buddhism which enjoys a new high profile in the U.S. editor -- This supports a trend toward the increasing cultural prominence of Buddhism and eastern religions, though not an outright growth in converts to those religions. Also, interestingly, it indicates the growing phenomenon of "spiritual tourism" -- visiting and retreating in a religious tradition other than one's own. |
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