A Cyber-Parish: Gendered Identity Construction in an On-Line Episcopal Community

Abstract

Technology has historically had a tremendous impact on religion, from the invention of the printing press (which allowed the Bible to be read by mass populations) to the Evangelical Christian movement (which used radio and television to spread the word and preach to mass audiences). Just as religion has historically had an enormous impact on society, so also has the recent advent of the Internet changed our social and organizational frameworks. In the twenty-first century, these two powerful social forces have come together with the advent of online religious groups ranging from Usenet discussion groups on religious topics to virtual preaching and religious services. Participants in various types of religious groups can request prayers, inquire about others’ beliefs and/or doctrine, and even receive sacraments and communion via virtual blessings of bread and wine. The ability to worship and/or form religious communities online has tremendous implications for both participants and organized religion itself.