Perception of Digital Technologies by Believers: Ambivalence of Practices and Dimensions in the Context of Social Justice

• Шолпан Джаманбалаева

  Author

• Elena Burova

  Author

Digital technologies in Kazakhstan are becoming an integral instrument across various spheres and domains of activity. The technological affordances of the digital society expand the scope of religious practices through the virtualization of religious life. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have created the conditions for the emergence and functioning of digital religiosity. This phenomenon has undergone legitimation and institutionalization within both traditional and new religious movements. The range of digital religiosity is extensive: from the use of ICTs as a means of communication and access to diverse information, to the self-identification of a digital religious personality. The digitalization of Kazakhstani society exerts a significant influence on worldviews, reshaping the palette of religious mentality and contributing to multidimensional identity. The article presents selected findings concerning the understanding and perception of digital technologies among Kazakhstani believers. The research identified specific features of the informational culture of both believers and non-believers in Kazakhstan, and revealed the ambivalent perception and evaluations of the rapid development and functioning of the digital religious environment. The rationale and conclusions of the study are grounded in a factual base derived from Kazakhstani measurements.

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