Manqoba Ndlovu
Religious identity is defined as how a person or group of persons think of themselves as belonging to and representing the values of a particular religion and or religious sect . This collective identity approach may describe the pre-modern world but fails short in the modern context. Particularly in secular societies, religious identity is often a matter of choice .There are four B’s of religious identity. That is include Believeing , Bonding , Behaving and Belonging .
The religious identity can be chosen online . The online refers to the use the internet for religious purpose , allowing individuals to engage in spiritual activities through online platforms . The digital spirituality offers us a way to live on beyond our physical presence on earth , not just as a digital legacy , but in the forms of digital consciousness and digital soul . There are examples of technology in religion .
It is safe to say that technology had a profound impact on religion. This is evident in several ways. For one technology has made it easier for people to connect with each other and share religious beliefs. Social media platforms like Facebook, and twitter have allowed people from all over the world to connect with each other and share their religious beliefs. However technology has also made it easier for people to access religion online
The religious identity is more important for the society to label the individual whether it’s a Christian , Muslim , Hindu , or Buddhism. Most people they have their own churches , in religious community. One of them is Bishop ND Nhlapho with many followers in online space of religion and offline . Nhlapho is the Christian preacher. He can be booked for online meetings and prayer online . With king history of serving his people through the church online and offline religious space .
