Framing or Being Framed? A qualitative study of the use of feature films in confirmation teaching within the Church of Norway.

Abstract

In an increasingly media-saturated world, understanding how popular media influence (young) people’s engagement with religion and religious faith, including within formal religious education such as formal faith education, is a worthwhile endeavour. By examining the use of feature films in confirmation teaching within the Church of Norway, this dissertation explores this influence and thus addresses a gap in empirical research, especially within the Nordic context. Drawing upon sociological perspectives on religion and media, the study explores how feature films are embedded into confirmation teaching and how this shapes the dissemination, interpretation and understanding of religious content among confirmands. This dissertation consists of three articles. In the first, I explore confirmation leaders' intentions and experiences using film through interviews. In the second, I analyze the practical use of film based on observations of confirmation teaching sessions. In the third, I examine confirmands' experiences and reflections of the usage of film using group interviews. This approach allows me to explore how films are used and experienced in confirmation teaching, focusing on the complex interplay between media and religious education from various perspectives.