From Radio to the Internet: The Digital Transformation of the Church in the Information and Communication Age

Purpose: In the modern era, developments in information and communication technologies have had a profound impact on social, cultural, and religious structures. In particular, within traditional religions such as Christianity, there has been a redefined conceptualisation of the sacred space, worship, and community. The objective of this study is to analyse the approaches of the Catholic and Protestant churches towards communication technologies, tracing the process from radio to the internet, and to reveal the effects of these technologies on religious structures, forms of worship, and perceptions of community. The present study seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on the transformation of traditional religious institutions in the age of digitalization. Method: The present study adopted a qualitative research method. The study is grounded in an the analysis of historical and theological documents, with focus on attitudes of the Catholic and Protestant churches towards communication technologies. The study employs the principal methods of the discipline of the History of Religions, namely descriptive, phenomenological, and comparative approaches. The data collection process involved the utilisation of a document analysis method, encompassing a comprehensive review of church documents, official publications, academic articles, and contemporary online materials. The collected data were subjected to content analysis and classified under the themes of worship, space, community, and body. Findings: The study found that communication technologies have become a significant means of religious service, particularly for individuals who are unable to attend church due to old age or illness. The extensive utilisation of virtual worship during the period of the pandemic has demonstrated that technology has played a functional role in maintaining religious solidarity and a sense of community during times of crisis. Furthermore, Catholic and Protestant churches effectively utilise these tools to expand their missionary activities and to engage with digital generations. However, the nature of virtual worship-being independent of space, time, and ritual order-has given rise to debates concerning the legitimacy and authenticity of worship. Furthermore, the restricted opportunities for interaction can impede the establishment of a robust and enduring community. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is evident that both Catholic and Protestant churches have expanded their areas of religious service in the age of information and communication, transferring their practices of worship and mission to the digital environment. However, virtual churches have not been able to fully replace the physical congregation and have remained limited in terms of spiritual depth in worship, sense of community, and spatial belonging. The findings of the study indicate that it is unlikely for churches to become entirely virtual in the near future; rather, hybrid church models, in which physical and digital elements coexist, have emerged. This model preserves the continuity of tradition while, at the same time, creating a foundation for the formal and spatial reconstruction of religious experience through the new opportunities offered by communication technologies.

Dergi

ESKIYENI

Yıl

2025

Sayı

59

Sayfa

1479-1504

ISSN

1306-6218

eISSN

2636-8536

DOI

10.37697/eskiyeni.1674583

WoS UID

WOS:001664190700003