How has media changed religion?

Answer 1

The primary goal of the Media is to make money. Drama and Controversy sells papers, thus ad space, therefore mainstream media tends to have a counter-culture bias since that is where drama and controversy can be found in abundance. Established, mainstream religions therefore tend to be reported upon by the media in a negative light, while smaller, less established ones are given a positive bias - all toward the goal of drumming up drama and controversy thus selling more advertisement space. Though there is certainly a market for being pro-mainstream religion and therefore those media outlets exist as well, there is a great deal more money to be made by being against whatever is currently established.

Answer 2

Christianity is constantly in the media. In some cases, it owns the media. It is portrayed in many different ways, by different organisations. Some are just waiting to make a foolish mistake, like not let people into St Paul's cathedral, others will only publicise a decision made by the church if it would make good news.

In terms of affecting it, nothing is going to affect a religion, especially not one as large and affluent as Christianity, and no matter how it is portrayed, those at the top will still hold their arrogant positions, just like a politician, or a top Atheist. Christianity does not seek to make good press. It is what it is: a religion. It encourages evangelism. How this is carried out varies, and some cases are worthy of news, like pouring custard on a prominent Atheist, or burning a Qu'ran, for example. People will always view it harshly because they have been hassled by people yelling on the street shouting "Doom is nigh....repent of your sins....doom is nigh!" And so on. This sort of thing does not reflect well on Christianity.