Problematica Extremitatum. The Prevalence of Tabloid Logic and Its Consequences in Religious Media Content

In recent times, churches have also recognized that the ever-growing media noise surrounding us is forcing them to adapt. This realization has led to a process that has now become a clear trend: religious content is increasingly adopting the genre, themes, and stylistic characteristics typical of popular public discourse. In the first part of my study, I outline the theoretical framework of my current research building on the findings of my previous studies. The central argument is that today’s media is becoming increasingly ritualized, a process that runs parallel to the mediatization and popularization of religion. The most striking sign of the mediatization of religious communication today is the emergence of entertainment—or, more specifically, tabloid—elements in this previously highly protected domain. This process is evident in the hybrid logic I have termed „religiotainment”, which is now present in all phases of content production. Among these factors, topic and participant selection are particularly significant. The recent intensification of extremist tendencies in religious programming effectively marginalizes normative perspectives in the eyes of the audience, portraying Christianity and religious faith as characteristics of those who deviate from societal norms. Genre and thematic hybridization, along with the dominance of extreme elements, are also evident in the increasing use of celebrities in religious programming. The rise of „religiotainment” has not left the institutional Church untouched, including its highest hierarchical levels. Both institutions and individuals are striving to establish a presence on the „digital continent,” in line with the teachings and expectations set forth by the Holy See on this matter. In the penultimate section of my study, I assess the consequences of these phenomena in relation to the four fundamental dimensions of the Church’s existence: theological, communicative, institutional, and statistical aspects. Finally, I present three possible future scenarios, summarized by the concepts of absorption (or dissolution), isolation (or separation), and multiplication (or proliferation). Keywords: tabloidization, religious communication, mediatization, popularization, extremity digital continent