Religious community identity on social networking sites: A study on facebook

Modern technologies made communication very flexible. Electronic space adding more feature to the widespread adoption of information and technologies in everyday life that has opened a new arena for participation. Electronic space can be stated as the space created by the global network i.e. internet. Through internet connecting people became easier than before. Technologies (electronic space) gave a new platform for the people to create group in one place to share an idea towards development and to improve the culture and their tradition.

Social networking sites became an important medium for the person who wants to be a part of global communication are forming community group of their respective fields through different social networking sites i.e. Facebook, blogs etc.. This study mainly focuses on religious group identity and promotion of community in electronic space especially Facebook. Computer mediated theory and Social Identity Theory will define the problem of this research and its fact findings. First, the content of the facebook group posts was coded for the analysis of promotion and community identity. Second, In-depth interview was taken from the administrator of the groups to know the motive behind creation of such groups. Third, Survey was conducted to know the reaction of the facebook users about the religious groups. The analysis indicates that the facebook has created an effective space for the creation of identity of any religion. The facebook became an eminent platform to promote the views and thoughts about the religion.