RELIGIOUS DIGITAL CREATIVES AS NEW CULTURAL AUTHORITIES

Heidi CampbellAssociate Professor, Texas A&M University-USA

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=digital+religion&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FzXlb2cHJAiwVM&tbnid=8afgawB_243LPM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415676113/&ei=dVCwUaeRDZDB7Ab9voCoCw&bvm=bv.47534661,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNFEjz4sx2-D79u3OvJXDkxj2i3iyw&ust=1370595819179367

Studying Networked Religion

Campbell, H. (2012). Understanding the relationship between religious practice online and offline in a networked society. Journal of the American Academy of Religion.

Common trends within the practice of religion on the internet highlight characteristics of how religions is lived both online and offline.

Traits of Networked Religion

Convergent Practice Personalized blending of information & rituals

Multi-site Reality Embedded/blended online-offline connections

Networked Community Loosely-bounded social networks

Storied Identity Fluid & dynamic identity construction

Shifting Authority Simultaneous empowerment & challenge of

authority

Shifting AuthorityInternet contributing to shifting conceptions & practices of religious authority having offline impact• Rise of new religious gatekeepers, spokespersons &

authority structures online (Campbell 2007; Campbell & Golan 2010)

• Offline religious leaders seek to solidify their position in the face new sources of legitimacy & influence (Campbell 2010)

• Internet support Logics of Disjuncture & Displacement, Continuity & Complementarity and Dialectics & Paradox regarding authority (Cheong 2013)

Exploring Authority in New Media Culture

Traditional Authority based

on:

New Media Authority based

on: training/credential systems

initiations rites structural and

cultural (divine) hierarchies

institutional expertise

ranking/reputation system

visibility online social network

linkages and endorsements

digital expertiseDawson 2004, Barker 2005, Campbell 2007 & 2010, Lovheim 2008,Cheong & Poon 2009, Cheong 2012

Exploring Religious Authority in New Media Culture

Anderson -The Internet and Islam’s New Interpreter’s (1999) Internet offers a new public space giving

rise to unique forms of authority that can challenge traditional religious authorities authority roles (new leaders-i.e. webmasters) structures (new spaces, i.e. online

communities) discourses (new systems of knowledge, i.e.

hyperlinks)

Religious Digital Creatives

RDCs – digital innovators, designers & entrepreneurs whose new media work & use grant them unique status and/or influence within their religious communities Creole Pioneers: individuals with professional-technical

qualifications “bringing religious interest online after-hours” Reformer Critic: alternative & oppositional groups using the

Internet for mobilizing their agenda or to witness to their belief in new public sphere

Spokesperson-Activists: institutions drawing on established interpretive patterns and structures online

81 interviews with select Religious Digital Innovators & Denominational Media Officers in 2011-2013

Creole Pioneers Professionals bringing religious

interest online Digital Designers- digital & media

resource creators shaping religious discourse & practice due to notoriety of tech/online work Eric van den Berg, Katholiek.nl Miriam Diez Bosch, Aleteia.0rg

Reformer Critics Using net to mobilize agenda or

public witness Theoblogians-theological bloggers

whose reflection and networking grant them with glocal influence as religious interpreters Oriol Domingo Paimes, Saecula-

Saeculorum (Spain)

Spokesperson-Activists Institutions representatives Digital Spokespersons- webmasters

& digital curators functioning as spokespersons online James Abbott, Webmaster-diocese of

London Ronnie Convery- Media Rep, archdiocese

of Glasgow

Exploring Religious Authority in New Media Culture

Initial Reflections… Creole Pioneers: Rise of unintentional

authorities, experience dissonance within communities, framed as competitor, seek to build bridges/educate

Reformer Critics: Online brings offline influence, cultivation of legitimacy

Exploring Religious Authority in New Media Culture

Initial Reflections… Spokesperson-Advocates:

Latecomers, appointed /arise in response to perceived loss of power, recognize limits & need for engagement

Blurring of and interplay between online-offline influence, rise of negotiated & performed authority

Thank You!

Email: heidic@tamu.edu

Web: Network for New Media, Religion and Digital Culture Studies

http://digitalreligion.tamu.edu

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