"Like the Diaspora synagogues of Judaism after the Second Temple, like the cathedrals of medieval Latin Christianity, and like the Bibles of European Protestantism, online religion is a form of new religious practice that possesses the capacity to transform the religious alternatives with which it now competes for human attention. Thus from young to old, from East to West, our religious landscapes could change dramatically in the next decade," writes Brenda Brasher, assistant professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. She has conducted research on aspects of online religion including traditional and alternative religious groups, the development of online rituals, and Internet popular religion.
At present, there are over one million online religious websites with the largest ones being operated by Christian fundamentalists and the Mormons. Brasher offers an edifying overview of this phenomenon with chapters on cyberspace as sacred time, stories of virtual pilgrimage, cyber-virtue and cyber-vice, and Christian apocalypticism.
The author is convinced that online religion can expand dialogue on a global scale; honor religious diversity; broaden the horizons of human spirituality; delineate ancient traditions and practices; advance our appreciation of the links between religion, community, and communication; provide a testing ground for rituals; and offer a "valuable countervailing presence to the market commodification of everything in sight."
Brasher makes a good case for cyberspace as a place where religious humor can thrive and where seekers can find a place to explore cyber-mysticism. One of the best chapters is on "Virtual Shrines and the Cult of Celebrity" where the author discusses Star Trekkies, Lady Diana, and fans of Keanu Reeves. "Scanning fan sites, it is easy to believe that the spiritual disciple of imitato Christus has been replaced by imitato Keanu Reeves."