It is not a secret that digital is advancing in the world at dizzying speeds, changing society and the way of life. Religion is also adapting to new mediaand according to a study by Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme, digital religion among millennials it does not replace, but rather complements the religious experience of young people.
As digital forms of communication increase, many members of the religious community have seen how they can integrate these new forms into evangelism. The study by the professor of Sociology at the University of Waterloo questions whether digital technologies facilitate a “spiritual revolution” and whether they provide important spiritual and religious spaces for new segments of the population away from the more conventional forms of organized religion.
“We know that more and more people are turning to digital media for spirituality, such as chat groups with pastors, online sermons, and religious content on social media,” says Wilkins-Laflamme. “We have found that while digital religion is not necessarily attracting many new millennials to participate, yes is enriching the experience of those who already participate.
Digital religion is enriching the experience of those already participating in the ChurchProfessor of Sociology at the University of Waterloo
The Sociology professor clarifies that “digital religion plays an important role in faith, complementing face-to-face practices, never replacing them». This Wilkins-Laflamme report is the first to address who is adopting digital religion and why.
Social networks and God
Social networks are one more tool for the knowledge of God. exist Instagram accounts whose content is religious and adapted to young people, in order to be able to access them through the media where they move with greater ease. accounts as @catolicos_es They generate content related to God and young people, bringing them closer to Him.
The influencers have a great weight in today’s society, becoming authentic celebrities. In religion there is also influencers, and the clearest example of this is @jfolchh, who through her Instagram posts and stories has helped many young people get on God’s boat and continue to strengthen their faith. In addition, Joan Folch, thanks to his influence, has created an association against abortion, More lifewhich has more than 11,000 followers on this social network.
Not only is Catholic content disseminated on Instagram, but Twitter it is also an effective way to complement the experience of God of the youngest. In Spain there are religious accounts of great influence, such as that of the bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, Jose Ignacio Munillavery active in networks and with more than 80,000 followers on Twitter.
tiktok is the social network that is revolutionizing the youngest. Its incomprehensible algorithm and its speed in making content go viral make this social network a very useful tool for evangelizing. There are numerous priests and nuns who share and explain the Catholic religion on Tiktokmaking it more enjoyable and accessible for adolescents and young people.
Religion in millennials: how digital is changing spirituality