Virtual Ritual, Real Faith: The Revirtualization of Religious Ritual in Cyperspace by Cheryl Chase discusses how religion has been shaped by contemporary society and the virtual world has welcomed the plane of religion and allows technology to be used as a tool for religious rituals. Chase takes the assumption that because the virtual world has become an extension of reality, religion also has extended into the virtual world. She denounces the debate of whether or not religious rituals online are “good” or “bad” for religion, but rather, asks how the shift of religion into the virtual world has shaped society’s views. Chase discusses the adaptation of various religions within the new digital revolution of society. She approaches her research, keeping in mind that the concept of an online ritual can only be debated within the boundaries of the religion’s beliefs. There are five categories which outline a ritual, and if the use within the ritual can be transferred to the virtual world, it allows an easy transition for the ritual from reality to ritual reality. The five categories are space, time, co-presence, authority, roles, and performance. If the religious beliefs allow a connection between the sacred and the virtual, “by offering virtual presence from inside a virtual realm, ritual, as enacted symbol in cyberspace, is all the more effective at pointing beyond itself to the divine or the sacred.” Overall, Casey discusses the presence of the sacred within the virtual and the authenticity of ritual performances can be used if the religious beliefs and correct jargon and boundaries are acknowledged.
