Between Hashtag and Promise of Salvation: Understanding Religion Digitally
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Religion between digital closeness and spiritual orientation
When religious questions circulate through social networks, new forms of faith experience, exchange and spiritual community emerge. The lecture Between Hashtag and Promise of Salvation – Religion in the Age of Social Media invites us to view the digital presence of religion attentively, academically grounded and open to different faith perspectives.
Religious Influencers and Digital Faith Practice
Prayers, everyday tips, and religious impulses reach millions of people on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Digital media create spaces where people raise questions of meaning, discover spirituality, and immediately integrate religious content into their daily lives. At the same time, short videos, personal recommendations, and algorithmically curated posts change the perception of religious traditions.
Between Orientation, Morality, and Societal Debate
Religious influencers not only provide comfort and faith practice. Their posts also contain political and moral statements that can shape public debates. The lecture highlights why sharp and polarizing voices often appear particularly visible and what consequences this dynamic has for religious diversity, dialogue, and communal understanding.
Church, Mosque, and Digital Community
A central question of the evening is whether scrolling through religious content replaces attending a church or mosque. The focus will be on changes in religiosity, authority, and belonging. The event will explore how young people seek religious orientation between priests, rabbis, other religious authorities, and digital voices.
Religious Studies Explained Clearly
The evening is organized in cooperation with CERES, the Center for Religious Studies at Ruhr University Bochum, as part of the lecture series Religions from Aha to Zen. Findings from religious studies will be presented clearly, allowing space for reflection, questions, and respectful exchange. The event is aimed at believers, individuals interested in religion, and anyone wishing to better understand the influence of social media on spirituality and society.
Conclusion: Attendees can expect an informative evening on digital faith practice, religious communication, and social responsibility. Those who wish to experience religion in the age of social media from both a scientific and practical perspective will find impulses for a conscious engagement with faith, media, and community.
