Online – Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet 1.1 (2005) SPIRITUALISING THE INTERNET UNCOVERING DISCOURSES AND NARRATIVES OF RELIGIOUS INTERNET USAGE

together researchers from around the world to discuss their studies of religion online. In the concluding session the conference organisers made a call for “more serious research ” and reflection into emerging expressions religiosity and rituals online. Since then several texts have been published that took root at this conference. 1 This demonstrates the seriousness to which many scholars have taken this need for detailed investigation of religious engagement online. Still, however, much work remains at the level of documenting and defining the phenomenon of religion online. Little theoretical work exists that provides frameworks for explaining online religious activities in terms of larger social and cultural processes. A need exists for studies that not only define what happens when religion appears online, but also interpret why this is occurring and the implications for religious culture as a whole. This involves investigating questions such as what does a religious group’s conception of the Internet influence how they negotiate it’s use, and what do these perceptions link to trends in contemporary society and the role of religion in culture as a whole. This call also places importance on recognising distinct processes occurring within religious groups that influence their adoption and adaptation of the Internet to meet th