Sociology of Religion - SOCI 377

The Sociology of Religion SOCI 377 RELIGIOUS DITIZATION Preamble Previously, we considered the political economy of religion o Two scholarly articles were assigned for reading (see the course D2L shell) Today, we shall consider the interface of the two worlds of religion and internet. Background Whi...

The Sociology of Religion SOCI 377 RELIGIOUS DITIZATION Preamble Previously, we considered the political economy of religion o Two scholarly articles were assigned for reading (see the course D2L shell) Today, we shall consider the interface of the two worlds of religion and internet. Background While considerable credit should be given to existing research in sociology of cyberspace, it must also be recognized that this subfield is relatively new and deserve more sociological attention One of the foremost inference to the influence of the internet on religion can be found in the work of McLuhan and Fiore (1967; 1968) In general terms, early attempt at diving into this research area focused on the connection between religion and media (old media) Background cont'd Garry Bunt (2011) averred that studying the connection between religion and cyberspace requires some form of synthesis of various forms of "religious studies methodologies, combined with knowledge and awareness of disparate fields associated with technology and cyber cultures" (705). For context, the study of digital religion first emerged alongside studies of the Internet, or what was often referred to as cyberspace, in the 1990s and early 2000s (Campbell and Evolvi, 2019) Conceptualization Campbell (2013) defines digital religion as a framework for as "a “framework for articulating the evolution of religious practices online which are linked to online and offline contexts simultaneously..." in a way that "investigates the technological and cultural space that is evoked when we talk about how online and offline religious spheres have become blended and integrated” (pp. 1–4). H E I D I C A M P B E L L | N E T W OR K E D T H E O L O G Y Dimensions of Focus Agency: Whether or not it is transformative Theoretical perspectives Prognosis: what next? Agency Digitization of religion makes the expansion of religious activities possible o o o o o E.g., proliferation of online spiritualities and televangelisms Accessibility of religions, their texts and variabilities is enhanced Income generation for religions Diversity and inclusivity Appropriation of new media technologies Agency cont'd On the flipside of positive effect of digital transformation of religion is the cynicism about this development. According to Garr Bunt (2011), presenting religion in the cyber space can be problematic. Why? o Because the motivation for making religious material on the web varies considerably. While some may see this as an opportunity to distill religious experiences, others may see it differently o Whether or not the transference of religious materials online will be successful is another kettle of fish – online audience view things differently. Mediatization Theory The main focus of this theory is that the long-term relationship between religion and media is directly implicative for cultural orientations. It relies on the assumption that meanings are transferred through acts of receiving, consuming' and interpretation. According to Silverstone (2005), digitization of religion pivots around communication - the procecess of creating and and sharing meanings. The media provides the platform through which people unpack religious beliefs and values - the third spaces (settings that go between what happens online and offline) Hypermediated Religious Spaces This is a fallout of mediation or mediatization postulation. According to Evolvi (2018), the intensification of practices in the cyber space can potentially spur new emergencies that will create a highly-networked users who will continue to engage online and offline Religious-Social Shaping Technology - RSST This perspective is another strand of theory from the work of Campbell (2007). The main postulation of this theory is that the performance of religion in the cyber space is largely influenced by social interactions, and not vice versa – technologies are negotiated in groups. Religious-Social Shaping Technology – RSST cont'd While the theory negates technological determinism, it bends toward social determinism with the following four-pronged tenets/principles: 1. Tradition and history of a religious community 2. Communal values and principles 3. Acceptance, rejection, and/or innovation of technology by a group 4. Discourses regarding the use of technology. Prognosis: what's next? This concern here is about opportunities and challenges We will turn to the guest lecture for some empirical evidencing.