Paper short abstract:

The paper explores german religious organisations' discourses around digitalization in times of corona. Against the background of the similarities and common themes and topics in the four countries, the specifics of the german case are outlined and discussed.

Paper long abstract:

The strict and sudden restrictions that came with the Corona pandemic in 2020 forced religious organizations in Germany to take position: Representatives of all religious organizations tried to find an answer to the question of how to maintain religious practice in times of the Pandemic - and, therefore, faced the question of digitalization of religion. By taking the example of two majority religious organizations (the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church) and two religious minorities (Muslim Communities and the Anthroposophical Society) in Germany, we analyze how religious organizations dealt with digitalization regarding their religious practice as well as in their internal and external communication. We analyze the organizations’ discourses about digitalization and mediatization of religion as well as their attitude towards media and media usage in the religious context over the course of the first three years of the pandemic. The analysis of the organization’s press releases, statements, and guidelines will be complemented by media press articles from religious as well as secular newspapers and such set into the wider societal context. By contrasting the four religious organizations, different aspects will be compared: How did religious majorities act compared to religious minorities? How did pre-pandemic attitudes towards digital media show in discourses about digitalization? Which topics and themes were discussed and by whom? Which arguments and narratives were adopted, which ones were dropped and how did the narratives change over time? How did the organizations react to wider societal discourses around digitalization and "the virtual"? And, finally, which hopes and expectations were raised and how did they unfold on the society’s way to “post-pandemic times”?