Reflections from Questionnaire Responses

1. Reflections from the Questionnaire

Based on the questionnaire responses, several patterns emerged regarding how participants engage with both traditional and online religious practices, as well as how they understand the role of technology in shaping contemporary religious experience.

2. Frequency of Participation and Motivations

Overall, most participants reported engaging in both traditional and online religious activities relatively infrequently. Traditional religious practices often require physical presence, such as making offerings, praying at temples, or participating in pilgrimages. These activities are shaped by practical constraints, including time, location, and the intensity of personal belief. As a result, participation tends to be occasional rather than routine.

Online religious activities, while generally more accessible, were also described as sporadic. However, they usually take the form of smaller, more informal practices, such as divination, brief prayers, or acts undertaken for emotional reassurance. Participants often framed these activities as something they turn to out of curiosity, convenience, or a desire for psychological comfort, rather than as a full substitute for traditional rituals.

Motivations for participation differed noticeably between online and offline contexts. Online religious engagement was largely driven by practical considerations. Convenience, reduced costs, and the ability to participate regardless of location were frequently mentioned. For participants living abroad or far from temples, online platforms offered a way to maintain a sense of religious connection when in-person participation was difficult or impossible.

By contrast, traditional religious practices were more commonly associated with deeper emotional or existential motivations. Participants described visiting temples to seek peace of mind, to make specific requests related to health or prosperity, or to fulfil culturally embedded obligations. The meaning of these practices was often tied to long-standing traditions and shared cultural memory.

3. Comparing Online and Traditional Religious Practices

When participants compared online and traditional forms of religion, the differences were most evident in terms of ritual experience. Traditional religious practices were valued for their historical continuity and their ability to engage the senses. Activities such as temple fairs, collective prayers, incense offerings, and chanting create an immersive environment that combines visual, auditory, and olfactory elements. This sensory richness, along with the presence of other worshippers, contributes to a strong sense of communal participation.

Online religious practices, on the other hand, were appreciated primarily for their flexibility. Participants noted that online platforms remove the limitations of time and space, allowing religious engagement to occur at any moment and from any location. This was seen as particularly appealing to younger generations and to those whose daily routines or physical circumstances make temple visits difficult. The immediacy of access to religious content was frequently described as one of the main advantages of online religion.

Despite this convenience, many participants felt that online practices lack the depth associated with traditional rituals. While online participation allows for quick and individual engagement, it does not provide the same sense of collective presence or embodied ritual action that characterises temple-based practices.

4. Technology and Its Impact on Religious Belief

Participants expressed mixed views on the impact of technology on traditional religious beliefs. On a positive level, digital technologies were widely seen as expanding the reach of religious culture. Many temples now use social media, video platforms, or live-streaming services to share teachings, rituals, and cultural knowledge. Online donations and virtual prayers were viewed as practical tools that allow religious institutions to connect with broader and more diverse audiences.

Environmental considerations also emerged as a benefit. Practices such as virtual incense offerings, digital donations, and online prayers were seen as reducing material waste and minimising the environmental impact associated with travel and the burning of incense or paper offerings.

At the same time, participants raised concerns about the negative consequences of online religion. Commercialisation was a recurring issue. Some platforms were criticised for turning religious practices into paid services, such as charging fees for virtual incense or blessings. This commodification was perceived as undermining the spiritual sincerity of religious activity.

Another concern related to the loss of ritual gravity. Many participants felt that online practices lack the physical presence and solemn atmosphere of traditional rituals. The experience of being in a temple, surrounded by incense, chanting, and ceremonial sound, was seen as difficult to translate into a digital format, leading to questions about authenticity.

5. Future Directions for Online Religious Practices

Looking ahead, participants generally agreed that online religious practices are likely to continue growing. Younger generations were seen as particularly open to these forms of engagement, as they align more closely with contemporary lifestyles and digital habits. Online platforms also provide access to religious traditions and practices that may not be locally available.

Technological developments, especially in areas such as virtual and augmented reality, were mentioned as having the potential to make online religious experiences more immersive. Some participants imagined future platforms that could simulate visits to temples or sacred sites, potentially narrowing the experiential gap between online and offline worship.

Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. Acceptance by more conservative or traditionally minded believers may be limited, as online practices are often viewed as lacking sincerity or spiritual depth. Concerns about regulation were also prominent. Without clear oversight, online religious platforms risk becoming exploitative or misleading. As online religious practices expand, issues of transparency, authenticity, and ethical responsibility are likely to become increasingly important.