Cхід (Dec 2018)
Transformations of the new media of the Christian confesions in Ukraine
Abstract
The author investigates the changes of the new media in Ukrainian churches. It has been proved that the Internet environment has triggered the activities of various electronic confessional media, making them new means of bringing the mission of the Church into Ukrainian society. The official websites of the denominations, social networks and others are analyzed for the purpose of the emerging features of the new media by E. Toffler, such as interactivity, mobility, reciprocity and the possibility of interconnection. It is concluded that the Christian new media, such as social networks’ groups, forums, sites, blogs, etc. are organically combining the media and denomination’s functions, also transform the external and internal communication in the church environment. Relatively low cost and insignificant efforts have inspired many Christians and churches to spread their message to an expanding audience. People of all age and social categories join religious beliefs and practices through watching online broadcasts of church worship, theological conferences, seminars, participation in thematic forums on Christian resources. Social behavior in virtual Christian communities and environments is a new phenomenon that allows researchers to observe, document, and analyze how church and non-church people adapt and accept patterns of behavior in response to various conditions that are received in a particular social group that depends on its existence through technology linked to a computer or smartphone. The phenomenon of virtualization and consumerism of religion are associated with the new media. Mediation of the Christian denominations of Ukraine through the prism of the Internet environment is due to the global change of a person, and thus the Church, which seeks a dialogue with a community of people through the means of the new media.
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