New religion blogs hosted by CORP

Dec. 8, 2007 - MU's Center on Religion & the Professions has entered the blogosphere with the launch of two religion-themed blogs.

"God, Media & More" is a blog about faith, values and spirituality in the media, written by CORP faculty, staff and friends. "ReligiousLife@MU" is a blog about religious life at University of Missouri-Columbia and is written primarily by MU students. Both blogs launched in October.

Center director Debra L. Mason said the Center introduced the blogs because "blogs are a conversation and a relationship-building experience."

The Center, located at University of Missouri-Columbia, aims to improve religious literacy in the professions and the public. It is an affiliate of the Missouri School of Journalism.

God, Media & More

The "God, Media & More" blog examines how faith, values and spirituality intersect with the media. It interprets "media" broadly, to include news, entertainment, new media, and religious and secular media. It seeks to alert readers to trends and developments in this intersection, especially as religion is expressed in new media formats.

"The blog pulls together research, trends and industry perspectives in a way that no other blog does, building upon the strengths of both the Center and the School of Journalism as a whole," Mason said. Contributors include professionals and students specializing in religion and media.

ReligousLife@MU

The "ReligousLife@MU" blog gives students affiliated with campus ministries a safe place to share, discuss and learn about each other's religious practice and values.

"The blog increases the visibility of religious life on campus and helps to build bridges among the various religious groups that otherwise have little contact with each other," Mason said.

Both blogs are maintained and moderated by MU student Geoffrey Brooke. Upon coming to MU, Brooke felt there was not enough information about campus spiritual life, he said. "One of the beautiful things about this public university is its diversity," he said. "This site serves to recognize that fact and serve as a one-stop place for religious life at Mizzou."

The blog provides in-depth information about campus groups and activities to let students know more about them and to give other groups ideas of what they are doing. It also provides links to information about most campus religious groups and covers interfaith events and activities on campus.

Brooke, a journalism student minoring in religious studies and philosophy, contributes to the "ReligiousLife@MU" blog and recruits student correspondents from religious groups to contribute. He hopes to eventually have correspondents within each of the organizations post once a week about what the groups are doing.

Both blogs are linked to the Center's Web site, http://corp.missouri.edu/.

For more information, or to learn about becoming a blog contributor, contact:

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