Spiritual Students and Secular Media

Abstract

The study provides insight into the understanding of how media images and personal spirituality can combine to create unique meanings. Through personal interviews with 19 college students, this study investigates how some experience spiritual uses and gratifications from secular media content. Through coding and analysis of the interview transcriptions, 6 categories of spiritual uses were identified: (a) growth, contemplation, and decision making; (b) teaching and evangelism; (c) metaphor construction; (d) reinforcement of existing beliefs; (e) self-identity; and (f) entertainment and fellowship. Secular books, movies, and television shows were all used by the students for these purposes.

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