Does digital media strengthen or weaken individual's ability
to construct or perform their religious identity? New digital media has created
multiple channels through which individuals can express themselves or connect
with others in numerous ways. In my opinion, digital media strengthens an
individual’s ability to perform their religious identity. Much of a persons
identity in the current era is expressed not only offline, but online as well
with the increased use of technology over the last decade. According to Lövheim,
author of "Identity", for many individuals, digital media is used for
“self-reflection and social interaction, to enhance
ones personal views of religion.” Creating an identity online through the
use of religious websites provides an easily accessible connection with a
particular religion of ones choice where they can establish themselves within
the community. Thus forming a religious identity. For example, a social network
website allows for the individual to create their own identity. There one can
express religious beliefs and portray their ideal version of them self. According to Lövheim, “an online
identity is established or concealed by the information one wishes to be
presented” through a website or another medium of communication of
self-expression. Through digital media, one can reflect and express their
religious beliefs and thus, through digital media one can strengthen their
ability to perform their religious identity.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
St. Pixels' Online Community
According to Hutchings (2011), author of “Considering
Religious Community Through Online Churches”, there are multiple definitions
of what a community is. “There are variations in medium, practice, community
expectations and perceptions of privacy generate unique ethical considerations
and opportunities for collaboration” (Hutchings, 2011, p 4). In the St. Pixel’s
online Christian church, community to them is the “practice of sharing life,
they do this through a network of blogs, forums, chat room events and offline
meetings” (Hutchings, 2011, p10). They live out their form of online community
by treating the Internet space as sacred. St. Pixels values respect, honesty
and companionship in order for the participants to “seek God together” (Hutchings,
2011, p5). St. Pixels provides a space for blogging where participants come to
share ones feelings with one another, which helps build relationships among the
community members. In a chat room, the community comes together to worship the
divine, which is meant to compare to a church service held offline. Once
relationships have developed online, participants are encouraged to come
together offline where they can physically meet one another. The offline impact
of the St. Pixels community has a positive effect on their particular religious
tradition. The offline community sets the rules and the foundation of the
online community. Leaders want the online space to be considered as scared, as
the offline space is, where respect and relationships are valued and important.
St. Pixels provides a space where individuals can come and fulfill their
religious needs online that they may have not has the chance to do so offline.
A community is formed not only online, but offline as well. Through their
fundamental belief of “seeking God together” by creating relationships through blogging,
chat rooms, offline meetings, and other mediums to connect and build a
Christian religious group.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Rituals Performed Online
Rituals performed online has become increasingly popular
over the last several years among religious communities. Virtual rituals have
opened the door to fulfill certain needs for individuals and religious
communities to grow and interact with one another. According to Connelly,
author of “Virtual Buddhism: Buddhist Ritual in Second Life”, there are several
reasons to why one would engage in virtual rituals in order to fulfill their
needs. In the Buddhist community there are a lack of religious centers or
teachers available to the participants who desire to be apart of community and
wish to perform rituals. For many, virtual rituals “provide meaningful
experiences, an opportunity to engage with others who are apart of the same
community. While online, there one can learn more about the Buddhist religion
and participate in rituals that may not be available to the participate
offline” (Connelly). Online rituals have created an environment that fits ones
needs to be apart of a community due to the easily accessible environment to
gain knowledge and interact with one another. The environment is also created
to feel like the offline sacred space of where the ritual is preformed.
Providing a “highly visible experience and an auditory mode of communication.”
Whether the ritual is preformed online or offline, according to Connelly, “both
provide an opportunity to gain merit through action, which is the ultimate goal
of Buddhism.”
Friday, October 7, 2011
"Approaching Rituals Online"
This week, I attended the Digital Religion Symposium &
Workshop, where I listened to Christopher Helland’s speech on “Approaching
Rituals Online.” He has studied and explored the vast religious rituals people perform
while on the Internet that is created by different religious communities. According
to Helland, a ritual is a very diverse thing, of substance and function. “A
ritual is purposeful engagement with the scared (whatever the sacred maybe for
those involved).” Online rituals are preformed on a virtual space where people
can attend while on the Internet. This may look something like the virtual
community of “Second Life”, where people are avatars and can perform almost any
activity they desire while in a virtual world. The virtual space is considered
as a sacred place, because it is where participants go to perform ritualistic activities.
Those who come in and disturb the ritual service are blocked out and are not
allowed back in due to the rituals importance. Religious communities such as,
the Catholic religion, have created virtual ritual spaces online. As technology
has developed, the Catholic cathedrals or churches architecture have been created
to have more visible details like being in the actual place of worship. According
to Helland, rituals are dynamic and always changing thus, is why rituals are
accepted to be preformed on a virtual space.
Here is an example of where a virtual ritual may take place:
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Digital Media & Community
In every religious community there are beliefs to how digital media is integrated and used. In my individual blog, I will be focusing on how different religious communities use digital media. I am curious to explore how the different communities integrate new media into their community and to what extent it is used.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)