The public sphere is a social space in which different opinions can be expressed, and solutions can be discussed.
My public sphere is located within the means of conservativism and church groups. I get my news from conservative branches of online platforms such as YouTube channels and Fox. Catering to the content of my set ideologies, my public sphere is enhanced through these mediums. Within church, I learn about the news through the leaders within the church. This is where an area for discussion really comes into play. In accordance with Habermas and the Public Sphere by Calhoun, it is claimed in the book that the understanding of the public is solely based on private experience. As I learn about my own public sphere, and that which opposes my sphere it is attributed to experiences in which I have had. For instance, growing up in an Orthodox and conservative household.
My public sphere is operated on the notion of ethical conversation. Someone within the public sphere may have an opposing view. Political discourse does not lead to the premise of hatred, but rather civil conversation to understand why this opinion is the case. Further expressed in Tim Challies’ article on love and humility, stating that Christians humble themselves below the other person.
Church groups and conservatives are subject to many issues. This includes that they are non-conformists to an ever-growing liberal world. This issue does arise by those outside. However, as values of love and humility are taught, my public sphere in which I interact is, may develop the issue of not conforming, but remains firm in what they believe. Another issue is the toxic name calling within those outside my public sphere and constant assumption of judgement. This issue causes those within my public sphere to exit our public sphere, as they feel intimidated by the name calling seen outside the public sphere.
My public sphere in which I am considered to be in is open to anyone. Conservative, or not. Within the news publications I read, and the videos I watch, within my church public sphere we learn to open our arms to people. This way, no one is excluded, and everyone is included within the public sphere in which I identify with.
The media plays a crucial role in the public sphere. It continues to undermine my public sphere. The media aims to push an agenda against modern day Christianity, not covering stories of mass Christian persecution in the Middle East but will choose to cover a story slandering Christianity and religious sanctifications. The Guardian claims that persecution of Christians is coming close to genocide as an example of the mass persecution within the Middle East. My public sphere as a conservative is shattered throughout some media corporations, as they push an agenda of hating those who disagree with them. Contrary to that which is actually believed by those in my public sphere. Therefore, the integrity of news publications and media is further derailed as they focus on spreading hateful doctrine rather than covering news. As I see news from both inside and outside my public sphere, the news in which I read is catered to me and my public sphere. Thus, allowing me and others to choose their media publications based on their public sphere.
- Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
References
Challies, T., (2004), Love and Humility, Challies.com. Available at: https://www.challies.com/articles/love-humility/
Craig CJ., 1992, Habermas and the Public Sphere, USA, Massachusetts Industry of Technology Press.
Jimmy Teoh, Pixabay Photos, photo of Santorini Greece, photograph, accessed 20th of April 2020, “https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-santorini-greece-1010657/” rel=”nofollow”>Pexels.com</a>
Pixabay Photos, black and white cemetery Christ church, photograph, accessed 16th of April 2020, “https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-cemetery-christ-church-208315/” rel=”nofollow”>Pexels.com</a>
Teoh, J, Pixabay Photos, photo of Santorini Greece, photograph, accessed 20th of April 2020, “https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-santorini-greece-1010657/” rel=”nofollow”>Pexels.com</a>
Pixabay Photos, close up of tree against sky, photograph, accessed 20th of April 2020, https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-tree-against-sky-255441/” rel=”nofollow”>Pexels.com</a>
Wessler H and Freudenthaler R, 2018, Public Sphere.
Wintour, P., (2019), Persecution of Christians ‘coming close to genocide’ in Middle East- report, The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/02/persecution-driving-christians-out-of-middle-east-report
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