Faith in the App Store. Apps, Influencers and the Metamorphosis of Spirituality and the Church

The research project examines the connection between digital technologies and religious practice in a post-digital society. The aim is to describe spirituality, practiced theology and religion and to highlight shifts away from traditional forms. To this end, the project is divided into various sub-projects in order to approach the multidimensional and convoluted sphere of post-digital religion and spirituality from different angles. Various research partnerships make this range of projects possible and contribute to the international networking of the URPP.

One sub-project analyzes the smartphone as a «portal to the sacred» and explores which religious practices it enables and how it is used by users. As it is increasingly seen as an extension of identity, its study is central to understanding digital spirituality. Another project, Digital Youth Faith Formation, is a participatory meta-project that aims to pool international practical projects and identify patterns in the research field of digital youth faith formation. A corresponding grant has already been secured. A third sub-project examines the Evermore app from a praxeological perspective in order to analyze post-digital spirituality on the basis of a specific religious practice.

In addition, another sub-project focuses on Christian networks that combine spirituality with ecological activism. These networks are post-digital, as they organize themselves via digital platforms and are also active in the analogue world through protests. In addition to the meaning of eco-spirituality, the specific ways in which the parties involved network digitally is examined. Religious ecofeminism is also being researched as part of this: How are practiced theology, ecology and feminism linked and made visible via platforms such as Instagram?

Methodologically, the project is based on empirical theology and combines qualitative research with participatory citizen science. The participatory approach makes it possible to acquire a nuanced understanding of post-digital phenomena by working with those involved to develop perspectives on digital belief practices.