- Does digital media strengthen or weaken individual's ability to construct or perform their religious identity?
Every individual forms a sense of identity through his or her knowledge and experience. According to Lovheim, one dimension of identity is concerned with “…how the individual is located in relation to meanings, practices, and positions that organize social life” (p 3). In this aspect, the formation of identity can be a very fluid process, changing with new experiences and growing with the intake of new knowledge. Such is the case for religious identity. Digital media creates a platform for the individual to create new experiences and to connect with others. By asking questions about others’ viewpoints on a specific religious matter, the individual is helping to shape his or her own religious identity by obtaining more knowledge on the subject. Digital media, and the Internet in particular, allow individuals to gain access to different meanings, practices, and positions. Thus, digital media can be seen as a way for the individual to shape and strengthen his or her religious identity.
An example of this can be seen within the conversations in online religious forums. People ask questions and receive answers, which then allows them to interpret their own stance on the situation. The forum “Buddhism without Boundaries” is just one example of a virtual space where the strengthening of religious identity can take place. In one specific thread from January 2012, a forum member asks, “Is anyone else drawn to aspects of both Mahayana and Theravada?” The member explains his stance on the issue, and then states, “Then we come to Mahayana, based on my understanding, which admittedly could be wrong so please correct me if it is…”. Here, the member specifically states that he is not sure if his relation to the meaning of this concept is correct or not, and is asking for help if his understanding is incorrect. Once he gains the proper understanding of the concept of Mahayana, he can then go forth to make a decision on the concept, which is helping to shape a part of his religious identity. There were 46 different replies to this post, which indicates the sharing and building of meaning, practice, and personal position to a particular situation; this, in turn, suggests the strengthening of this member’s religious identity in terms of his specific question.
The link for the specific forum on Mahayana and Theravada: http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/showthread.php?2067-Is-anyone-else-drawn-to-aspects-of-both-Mahayana-and-Theravada
The link for the general forum “Buddhism without Boundaries”:
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