The creation of digitally-mediated Christian migrant communities in Singapore
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
9-2020
Abstract
This chapter explores how digital technologies and religion coalesce to help strengthen and/or weaken the formation of communities. Whilst digital technologies have made it easier than ever before for international migrants to remain connected to the communities they left behind, religion can provide a potent source of belonging for the territorially dislocated. The creation of digitally-mediated migrant communities can enhance this sense of belonging, but complicate it as well. Drawing on 72 in-depth interviews conducted with Christian migrants and Singapore-based clergy, I explore how digital technologies enable the formation of content-based, connection-based and support-based Christian migrant communities. I highlight the ways in which migrants must negotiate the tension between being here and there, and between online and offfline religious praxes.
Discipline
Asian Studies | Critical and Cultural Studies | Religion
Research Areas
Humanities
Publication
Religion, hypermobility and digital media in global Asia: Faith, flows and fellowship
Editor
GOMES, Catherine; KONG, Lily; and WOODS, Orlando
First Page
27
Last Page
45
ISBN
9789463728935
Identifier
10.5117/9789463728935_CH01
Publisher
Amsterdam University Press
City or Country
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Citation
1
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.5117/9789463728935_CH01