[Air-L] religious uses of social media?

[Charles Ess]

Dear AoIR-ists,

On behalf of a colleague who is seeking to help a monastic community - I'm
trying to develop an inventory of (possible/actual) uses of social media
such as SNS's, Twitter, etc. that either
(a) fit within - rather than disrupt or distort - the disciplines and
practices defining / constituting monastic life and contemplation, and/or
(b) might foster one or more of those practices, e.g. _lectio divina_ and
other forms of guided/disciplined contemplation of sacred texts, community
prayer, etc.

I have some interesting examples from my previous (very modest) work in
these domains - but all of which emerged prior to the explosion of social
media such as SNS's, Twitter, etc.

So ... any suggestions for more contemporary examples, resources, contacts,
etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,
- charles ess

President, Association of Internet Researchers
Distinguished Research Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies
Drury University, Springfield, Missouri 65802 USA

Professor MSO (med særlige opgaver),
Department of Information and Media Studies
Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

Co-editor, International Journal of Internet Research Ethics
<http://ijire.net/>
Co-chair, CATaC conferences <www.catacconference.org>

Exemplary persons seek harmony, not sameness. -- Analects 13.23