1. Streaming religious services during a public health crisis: how digital religion shapes population well-being and intergenerational learning.
- Author
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Agyekum, Boadi, Ali, Waad, Asamoah, Moses Kumi, Namoog, Moses Y., and Al Nasiri, Noura
- Subjects
WELL-being ,COVID-19 ,MASS media ,FOCUS groups ,CLERGY ,INTERGENERATIONAL relations ,DIGITAL technology ,PUBLIC health ,INTERVIEWING ,VIDEOCONFERENCING ,LEARNING ,QUALITATIVE research ,SPIRITUAL healing ,PARADIGMS (Social sciences) ,INFECTION control ,RELIGIOUS leaders ,POPULATION health ,PSYCHOLOGY & religion ,STAY-at-home orders ,STATISTICAL sampling ,COVID-19 pandemic ,RELIGION ,CRISIS intervention (Mental health services) ,CHURCH buildings ,GOAL (Psychology) - Abstract
This study employs the therapeutic landscape theory to explore how online religious services during lockdown restrictions shape experiences of well-being and intergenerational learning. We used qualitative data from in depth interviews and focus groups with older adults and pastors in five churches in Ghana to explore how online religious places are conceptualized as therapeutic landscapes for sustaining wellbeing goals amidst a global pandemic. We identified multiple pathways of meaning through which online religious services shape the lives of people in a faith community to sustain the experience of well-being in a difficult time. In addition, this paper reflects on the broader implications of COVID-19 in shaping a paradigm shift in digital religion and intergenerational learning experiences through a changing religious landscape precipitated by lockdown restrictions that have drastically altered traditional religious places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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