The religious sense in the digital era: the new ambience of faith

Abstract

The article discusses how the contemporary religious experience has changed because of the new media. Part of the cultural changes that have taken place in recent decades end up directly impacting on religious behavior. The new scenario is especially seen from the popularization of the Internet, which has created a new religious ambience. The new forms of interactivity are reaching the human relationship with the divine. It is not just about new ways of interaction, but about the different sacred perceptions that are accessible from the web. Among innovations is the disintermediation, which does not require mediators in the human relation with the transcendent. Temples, places, times, leaders and rules determining the way the faithful approach divinity are no longer necessary. The study specifically addresses the consequences of such autonomy for the community life of the Christian faith, the sense of ecclesial belonging and the bonds of solidarity, which undergo considerable changes. The phenomenon is assessed from the Second Vatican Council theology, seeking to value the Christian faith dialogue within this new environment, while maintaining the uniqueness of Christianity as a religion of the encounter, proximity and mercy.Keywords: religion. internet, II Vatican Council. Christianity.