Religion has been brought online with prayer
chapels, discussion boards, cypertemples and even dating services directed
towards a particular faith (Campbell, 2010). Religion on the internet can
provide users with information about various religions and can allow for one to
share their beliefs with other believers. Religion on the internet in some
cases can be used to substitute attending religious services in a place of
worship. As one’s home can be deemed a sacred space, perhaps with an area that
is used for the sole purpose of worship or by engaging on religious websites
that offer prayers or online services. This can be problematic as I believe
face to face intervention between individuals in a place of worship is more
personable and allows one to establish a deeper connection with people within
the same faith. However, religion on the internet can be advantageous as
religious discussion boards allow for one to express their beliefs without
judgment or scrutiny due to online anonymity. Religion on the internet also
allows for one to connect with around the world, an opportunity that would
necessarily be possible in a traditional worship service. But as Campbell
points out, “the choices made by religious internet users are often strongly
informed by the religious communities they belong to” (2010). Therefore, users
are moving away from their religious communities but are engaging with their
religion in a different way. Also, for some users it remains a balance between
traditional institutional worship and worship online, with worship on the
internet reinforcing ones religious identity with their institutional religion.
In the end, I think religion is about community and regardless if that
community is online or in a conventional place of worship it can be considered
sacred as long as ones spiritual needs are being fulfilled.
Source:
Campbell, H. 2010. Religious Communities and the Internet. Ch 1: In When Religion Meets New Media. London
& New York: Routledge. EBook.
I completely agree with what you have to say here You have made some very good observations about using the internet to substitute attending religious services, and turning ones house into a scared space. For my interview paper, I interviewed a pastor of a large church that provides many substitutions in terms of people not having to go to church and simply listening online. The pastor I interviewed agreed with your points that it is preferable for people to actually attend church or a religious service to establish a personal connection with people who practice the same religion as them. I think you have done a great job at critically viewing both the positives and negatives of online religion.
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