Does sitting in front a computer mean disconnecting from life and meaningful issues or does it open a new door to expanded connection and ideas? Or does it perhaps foster a bit of both? Madeline Frost, in her paper CAN CYBERSPACE TRULY BE ATEMPLE FOR THE CYBERSANGHA?(PDF) states: 

Nothing will ever replace the unique benefits of a person-to-person,‘fully present’ spiritual existence; but it is possible that cyberspace will be able to offer an additional set of benefits, which may not yet be imaginable.

Our mistake is trying to compare online and offline rites – they are two very separate things. This is difficult for those of us who can remember life before cyberspace, for we are a generation in transition, but for today’s young people, for the emerging tribe of ‘digital natives’ online experiences will most probably be acceptable in their own right.

On the Internet people can read about religion, talk with others about religion, download religious texts and documents, buy religious books and artifacts, take virtual tours of galleries of religious art or the interiors of religious buildings, search scriptures using electronic indexes, locate churches and religious centers, participate in rituals or mediation sessions, vote on organizational propositions, see images of their religious leaders, watch video clips, and listen to religious music, sermons, prayers, testimonials, and discourses.

Here are some useful links that on the subject of religion that are informational in nature, not attempts to preach.

• Beliefnet covers just about everything to do with belief and religion.
• CrossCurrents: is a global network for people of faith and intelligence who are committed to connecting the wisdom of the heart and the life of the mind.
• Religion and Ethics Newsweekly:  Delivers one-of-a-kind coverage from around the nation and the world.
• Religion News Service: The only secular news and photo service devoted to unbiased coverage of religion and ethics.
• Religious Studies Web Guide is a free internet resources of use to researchers involved in the academic study of religion.
• BBC Religion offers news, podcasts and forums covering the world’s religions.
• Pew Forum or Religion and Public Life offers reports and news on the subject of religion in American life.

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