Religious Communication, Interaction and Transformation in a Culture of Digitality: Insights into the Zurich University Research Priority Program “Digital Religion(s)”
Berlin: De Gruyter (2025), vi, 306 pp.
"The articles in this volume present research insights from the interdisciplinary University Research Priority Program (UFSP) ‘Digital Religion(s). Interaction, communication and transformation in the Digital Society’ (2021-2032). The first phase of the twelve-year research program explored in theology, religious studies, linguistics and computational linguistics, sociology, media and communication studies, and law, how individual and institutional religious actors communicate in different fields of digital religious practice and assert their public claim for orientation. The articles give insights, from different disciplinary perspectives, how the URPP ‘Digital Religion(s)’ has researched the main question of how current digitalisation dynamics influence, shape and transform the religious practice of individuals and institutions. The topics and content of the research include religious identity formation and the development of collaborative online-offline networks, media communication practices of mourning and pastoral care, and phenomena of religion-related digital education. In addition, this volume provides insights into the current research questions and contexts of ‘artificial intelligence and religion’. Finally, a further overview article presents possibilities and potentials for future interdisciplinary and, at the same time, further international research in this highly dynamic field of research." (Publisher description)
Religious Communication, Interaction and Transformation in a Culture of Digitality. Insights into the Zurich University Research Priority Program “Digital Religion(s)” – An Introduction / Thomas Schlag, Katharina Yadav, 1
Mourning Practices on the Internet / Christa Dürscheid, Karina Frick, Christina Margrit Siever, Sandro Wick, 7
Eschatological Contents of Digital Mourning and Memorial Practices. Theological Perspectives and Insights / Lea Gröbel, Matthias D. Wüthrich, 27
Meaning-Making through Social Media – Religious Influencers as Sources of Religious Meaning / Julia Müller, Thomas N. Friemel, 45
The Corporate Governance of Religious Organizations in a Digital Society: From Monastic Organization to Neomonastic Resonance / Jan Danko, Katja Rost, 65
How Relevant Is Community, and How Digitable Is Religion? / Mira Menzfeld, Virginie Fazel, 91
Shifts in Hierarchy in Post-Digital Religious Practices: Specifications Based on Three Research Areas / Aline Knapp, Sabrina Müller, Patrick Todjeras, 109
Content Moderation in Social Media – Artificial Intelligence to the Rescue? / Cristina Frei, Christine Kaufmann, 133
Detecting and Mapping Hate in Religious Contexts / Gerold Schneider, Janis Goldzycher, Martin Volk, 153
(Inter-)Religious Education in Digital Society / Jasmine Suhner, Thomas Schlag, 185
Protestant Churches, Digitalization, and the Law in Switzerland and Germany: Perspectives and Challenges / Andreas Thier, Ramazan Özgü, 209
From the Bedside to the “Device-Side”: Digitalisation and the Professionalisation of Healthcare Chaplaincy / Fabian Winiger, Simon Peng-Keller, 225
Digital Public Spheres: The Role of Media and Other Touchpoints in Shaping Swiss Church Reputations / Rebekka Rieser, Mark Eisenegger, Jörg Schneider, 243
Insights from Current Research on the Entanglements of AI and Religion / Beth Singler, Kristina Eiviler, 261
The First Research Phase of the URPP Digital Religion(s): Contributions, Insights, and the Road Ahead / Thomas Schlag, Katharina Yadav, 279
Mourning Practices on the Internet / Christa Dürscheid, Karina Frick, Christina Margrit Siever, Sandro Wick, 7
Eschatological Contents of Digital Mourning and Memorial Practices. Theological Perspectives and Insights / Lea Gröbel, Matthias D. Wüthrich, 27
Meaning-Making through Social Media – Religious Influencers as Sources of Religious Meaning / Julia Müller, Thomas N. Friemel, 45
The Corporate Governance of Religious Organizations in a Digital Society: From Monastic Organization to Neomonastic Resonance / Jan Danko, Katja Rost, 65
How Relevant Is Community, and How Digitable Is Religion? / Mira Menzfeld, Virginie Fazel, 91
Shifts in Hierarchy in Post-Digital Religious Practices: Specifications Based on Three Research Areas / Aline Knapp, Sabrina Müller, Patrick Todjeras, 109
Content Moderation in Social Media – Artificial Intelligence to the Rescue? / Cristina Frei, Christine Kaufmann, 133
Detecting and Mapping Hate in Religious Contexts / Gerold Schneider, Janis Goldzycher, Martin Volk, 153
(Inter-)Religious Education in Digital Society / Jasmine Suhner, Thomas Schlag, 185
Protestant Churches, Digitalization, and the Law in Switzerland and Germany: Perspectives and Challenges / Andreas Thier, Ramazan Özgü, 209
From the Bedside to the “Device-Side”: Digitalisation and the Professionalisation of Healthcare Chaplaincy / Fabian Winiger, Simon Peng-Keller, 225
Digital Public Spheres: The Role of Media and Other Touchpoints in Shaping Swiss Church Reputations / Rebekka Rieser, Mark Eisenegger, Jörg Schneider, 243
Insights from Current Research on the Entanglements of AI and Religion / Beth Singler, Kristina Eiviler, 261
The First Research Phase of the URPP Digital Religion(s): Contributions, Insights, and the Road Ahead / Thomas Schlag, Katharina Yadav, 279
