It is the author’s thesis that religious communication which is shaped by narrative has consequences that are different from communication based on persuasion by argument. While ‘narrative’ can include both written and spoken communication, this study attempts to concentrate on oral narrative communication in a group situation within a local church congregation. It is also an assumption of this thesis that there is a common belief that narrative is subordinate to rhetoric. This thesis sets out to suggest otherwise: that while both provide distinctive ways of ordering experience the two are irreducible to one another. Thus there is a need to reimagine the narrative communication debate. This thesis suggests this reimagining be called ‘narrative/symbolic’ – thus emphasising its narrativity. Narrative /symbolic communication : encourages reflection but is different from analytical, rationalistic thinking; is heuristic by nature, searching for likely accounts rather than definitions and conclusions; establishes an awareness of/ communion with the world of the other rather than just seeking after/interpreting meaning; has potential to broaden human conversation by repudiating mere individualism; and, is more faithful to the general shape of the religious tradition which is Christianity. Such a ‘style’ should shape religious communication in the electronic media-saturated age. / Master of Science (Hons)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/181934 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Hunt, Rex A.E., University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticulture and Social Ecology |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Source | THESIS_FAHSE_XXX_Hunt_R.xml |
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