Digital Culture and Religion in Asia

This book critically analyses the functions and interconnectedness between religion and digital media in a range of East Asian countries. It discusses both how religious organizations make use of new technologies, and also explores how new technologies are reshaping religion in novel and interesting ways. Based on extensive research, the book focuses in particular on Christianity in South Korea, Neo-Shintoism in Japan, Falun Gong in China and Islam in Southeast Asia. Offering a comparative perspective on a broad range of media practices including video gaming, virtual worship, social networking and online testimonials, the book also investigates the idea that use of technology in itself mirrors religious practices. With an analysis of the impact of religion and new technology on national consciousness in a range of geographical locations, the authors offer a broadening of the scope of the study of religion, culture and media.

Introduction: Understanding Digital Culture and Religion in/of Asia 1. Digital Christianity in Korea: Practical Affects and Additive Religion 2. Religion as moral infrastructure: The practice of neo-Shintoism in Japan 3. Religion as propaganda: The Falun Gong’s Info-War 4. New Media Islam in Southeast Asia 5. Hyper-Real Religions in Asia: Beyond popular culture and popular religion 6. Religion for Millennials: The Prospect of Religious Life and Identity in the New Asian Century 7. In lieu of a conclusion

Sam Han is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and Adjunct Research Fellow at the Hawke Research Institute of the University of South Australia. Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.