Believers on (in) Social Media

Masliković, Dejan and Vulikić, Natalija (2025) Believers on (in) Social Media. In: Challenges Facing Religion and the Church in Postmodern Digital Society. Institute for Social Science, Belgrade, p. 12. ISBN 978-86-7093-289-0

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Abstract

In the information society of late modernity, religion and the church are faced with multiple challenges arising from rapid technological progress, changing cultural paradigms, and the increasing pluralism of belief systems. Church communities are called upon to respond to the challenges of the 21st century and the new habits of society that disrupt traditional structures of communication, decision-making, and belief. Social networks have an increasing influence on the creation of public opinion, communities, and society as a whole, which represents a kind of call for church communities to undertake adaptive transformations. This article explores the complex relationship between religion and media, focusing in particular on the impact of the digital and social media on the perceptions of religion and the church in contemporary society. As digital platforms have become ubiquitous, they play a key role in shaping public discourse and influencing the image of religious institutions and organizations. Social media, online communities, and digital content can contribute to creating the image of religious communities, and even challenge traditional power structures in religious organizations. By analyzing case studies and the available scientific literature, the article highlights the dual role of digital media as both a tool for religious expression and a platform for critique, ultimately shaping public understanding and engagement with religion. The findings suggest that, while digital media can enhance the visibility and accessibility of religious practices, they also pose significant challenges to the established perceptions of faith and institutional authority, prompting a reassessment of the role of religion in an increasingly digital world.

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