Panel: ENTER-EXIT: EXPLORING THE SOCIAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS OF RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS



467.2 - APOSTASY AND RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONS IN THE DIGITAL AGE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND LEGAL CHALLENGES IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD

AUTHORS:
Decimo L. (Università degli Studi di Sassari ~ Sassari ~ Italy)
Text:
Apostasy and religious conversions in the digital world represent a growing and complex phenomenon that reflects the intersection between religion and technology. The advent of the internet and online platforms has profoundly transformed the ways in which religious freedom is practiced, particularly by offering new spaces for the dissemination of beliefs, religious practices, and interfaith dialogue. Digitalization has increased visibility for minority religious groups and facilitated the spread of religious messages through blogs, podcasts, videos, and social media. Digital communities, often not sharing the same physical space, foster dialogue between different religious perspectives, accelerating processes of individual religious identity reconfiguration. However, conversions in the digital context raise questions about the authenticity of spiritual experiences, the potential alienation from traditional communal settings, and the influence of digital media on religious choices. This phenomenon also implies a new role for religions in global society, with the risk of fragmentation of religious identities and the need to adapt religious practices to the challenges of the digital age. Furthermore, this digital transition raises complex legal issues, such as the protection of "online religious freedom" and the management of conflicts between religious identities and national regulations. Laws regarding the protection of individual rights and the privacy of those involved in conversion processes are being tested by anonymity and the globalization of digital platforms. This paper aims to explore the legal and social implications of apostasy and religious conversions in the digital context, identifying new legislative challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.