TY - JOUR T1 - Religion and the Internet: A microcosm for studying Internet trends and implications JF - new media & society Y1 - 2012 A1 - Heidi A Campbell KW - Authority KW - community KW - Computer KW - Contemporary Religious Community KW - cyberspace KW - identity KW - internet KW - Mass media KW - network KW - New Media and Society KW - new media engagement KW - New Technology and Society KW - offline KW - Online KW - online communication KW - Online community KW - religion KW - religion and internet KW - Religion and the Internet KW - religiosity KW - religious engagement KW - religious identity KW - Religious Internet Communication KW - Religious Internet Communities KW - Ritual KW - sociability unbound KW - Sociology of religion KW - users’ participation KW - virtual community KW - virtual public sphere KW - “digital religion” KW - “Internet Studies” KW - “media and religion” KW - “media research” KW - “networked society” KW - “online identity” KW - “religion online” KW - “religious congregations” KW - “religious media research” KW - “religious practice online” AB - This article argues that paying close attention to key findings within the study of religion and the Internet, a subfield of Internet Studies, can enhance our understanding and discussion of the larger social and cultural shifts at work within networked society. Through a critical overview of research on religion online, five central research areas emerge related to social practices, online–offline connections, community, identity, and authority online. It is also argued that observations about these themes not only point to specific trends within religious practice online, but also mirror concerns and findings within other areas of Internet Studies. Thus, studying religion on the Internet provides an important microcosm for investigating Internet Studies’ contribution in a wide range of contexts in our contemporary social world. VL - 15 UR - http://nms.sagepub.com/content/15/5/680.abstract IS - 5 ER - TY - BOOK T1 - Digital Religion: Understanding Religious Practice in New Media Worlds Y1 - 2012 A1 - Heidi A Campbell KW - Digital Religion KW - Religion & New Media KW - Sociology of religion KW - Technoculture AB - Digital Religion offers a critical and systematic survey of the study of religion and new media. It covers religious engagement with a wide range of new media forms and highlights examples of new media engagement in all five of the major world religions. From cell phones and video games to blogs and Second Life, the book:provides a detailed review of major topics, includes a series of case studies to illustrate and elucidate the thematic explorations and considers the theoretical, ethical and theological issues raised. Drawing together the work of experts from key disciplinary perspectives, Digital Religion is invaluable for students wanting to develop a deeper understanding of the field. PB - Routledge CY - London UR - http://books.google.com/books?id=ox4q7T59KikC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ER -