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1. Quick thread on this: when I completed my project/paper in div school on digital worship, the venture felt boundary-pushing. I assumed *some* would embrace online worship, but only a small number—as a matter of taste, not necessity.
But right now, it's how millions worship. https://twitter.com/jackmjenkins/status/1238584909402214400
But right now, it's how millions worship. https://twitter.com/jackmjenkins/status/1238584909402214400
2. At the time (2011-2012), social media was still this exciting thing that people looked at optimistically.
People saw it as rife with potential pitfalls, but ultimately as a probable force for good because, at its best, it *increased* human connection.
People saw it as rife with potential pitfalls, but ultimately as a probable force for good because, at its best, it *increased* human connection.
3. The question was the *nature* and *quality* of that human connection; could a Facebook group replace a physical gathering?
The general consensus was no, unless a culture/group couldn't meet otherwise. Even then, it was often cast as inferior, a backup form of community.
The general consensus was no, unless a culture/group couldn't meet otherwise. Even then, it was often cast as inferior, a backup form of community.
4. Granted, people acknowledged the major, important exceptions within that "couldn't meet otherwise" category: e.g., communities pulled apart by geography, or communities whose in-person gatherings were sometimes shunned by others (e.g., LGBTQ folks).
5. But what happens when communities *across the entire planet* are suddenly unable to gather in person, wrenched apart by necessity?
What happens when *everyone* is suddenly distant from those they love?
Apparently we use the HECK out of the internet/social media, that's what.
What happens when *everyone* is suddenly distant from those they love?
Apparently we use the HECK out of the internet/social media, that's what.
6. Back in div school, I actually abandoned a master's thesis topic exploring this idea further in favor of a focus on religion in space.
Ironically, that thesis is just as relevant now: space was the catalyst, but it was *really* about how circumstances change religious ritual.
Ironically, that thesis is just as relevant now: space was the catalyst, but it was *really* about how circumstances change religious ritual.
7. E.g., when a Muslim astronaut wanted to observe Ramadan on the International Space Station, 100ish Muslim scholars were assembled to determine how best he could do so.
How can you pray to Mecca in microgravity? Or fast properly when the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes?
How can you pray to Mecca in microgravity? Or fast properly when the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes?
8. They ended up pulling together a list of possibilities: e.g., if you CAN do this, please do. If you CAN'T, at least try, etc.
Ritual was amended for special circumstances.
The same was true for other faiths in space. E.g., when Buzz Aldrin had communion on the moon…
Ritual was amended for special circumstances.
The same was true for other faiths in space. E.g., when Buzz Aldrin had communion on the moon…
9. …He had to get special permission from Presbyterian leadership (Aldrin was Presbyterian).
Over and over, ritual/tradition was *amended* in unusual circumstances to prioritize expression, community.
And yes, Aldrin really did have moon communion: https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/5-faith-facts-about-moon-landing-space-communion-and-prayer-league-its-own
Over and over, ritual/tradition was *amended* in unusual circumstances to prioritize expression, community.
And yes, Aldrin really did have moon communion: https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/5-faith-facts-about-moon-landing-space-communion-and-prayer-league-its-own
10. There's also lots of historical precedent: When a Christian child was born at sea in the 1600s-1700s and there was a chaplain aboard, they rarely had a baptismal font lying around.
Instead, they often took down the ship's bell, turned it over, and use *it* as a font.
Instead, they often took down the ship's bell, turned it over, and use *it* as a font.
11. All of this circles back to the current moment: we live in a world where *most* folks have navigated social media at least once, and where the internet is now ubiquitous.
Enter the coronavirus and social distancing: Suddenly, old rituals are amended, and new are formed.
Enter the coronavirus and social distancing: Suddenly, old rituals are amended, and new are formed.
12. All of this is to say: the current moment proves religion is FAR more flexible than we think, morphing to emphasize community, expression.
So don't be surprised if rituals are amended during this time, or new ones emerge. In crisis, what once was fringe can become the norm.
So don't be surprised if rituals are amended during this time, or new ones emerge. In crisis, what once was fringe can become the norm.
Thank you for coming to my Religion Nerd Ted Talk.
Apparently when stuck inside for weeks, my brain reverts to whatever mode it was in whenever that was last true.
Which was…grad school.
Apparently when stuck inside for weeks, my brain reverts to whatever mode it was in whenever that was last true.
Which was…grad school.
