Cybertheology: Thinking Christianity in the Era of the Internet (original) (raw)

Abstract

Through an exploratory study, this paper proposes to focus on the extent to which the digital is fast penetrating the nooks and the corners of rural India and the ways in which rural and tribal communities are not only accessing the "digital' but being affected by it. All Asian countries are at different stages of development in their attempts to build epistemic societies, bridge the digital gap and improve access to services delivered through the internet. This paper will explore how Religion is using the internet in developing a complex system of social communication in communities which are already steeped in conservative and religious values. Since most Asian countries, especially India, are multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multilingual , it is normally assumed that the "digital," in fact, is a great tool to maintain and nurture this plurality. This paper will, however, explore how the digital technologies actually help to homogenize societies especially in the religious space, rather than nurture heterogeneity, thus leading to the growth of religious fundamentalism and right-wing ideologies. A few days ago I received a Whatsapp message which read something like this: Eight years ago, when I went to the temple, it was written "mobile phones prohibited." Two years ago, it was changed to: "Keep your mobiles switched off." Last year it was changed again. It asked you to keep your mobile in silent mode. Yesterday, when I went, it was changed again. "If you wish to take a selfie with Lord/idol, please pay Rs.50.00 at the counter" it said.

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