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Take me to (virtual) church

People across the globe are mixing ancient religious tradition with the expanding world of technology, from YouTube sermons to prayer apps to VR temples. The integration with tech has created new online spaces — and new problems — for religious institutions around the world.

A woman prays at a Sufi Muslim mosque inK Kashmir.

Culture & Social Media 17 February 2023

Demystifying Sufism — and gaining millions of YouTube viewers

As YouTube becomes a meaningful platform for some Kashmiri Sufis, it also raises many eyebrows.

Reports 24 February 2022

Who’s really behind the Bible app going viral around the world?

Christians are flocking to the King James Version Bible app, and the digital trail leads to a Hong Kong shopping district and a Beijing-based developer.

Features 2 February 2021

The cleric has uploaded a new video

Turkish clerics on YouTube attract millions of viewers — but perhaps no one is watching them as closely as the Erdoğan government.

Features 8 September 2020

Religious clerics are the gatekeepers to digital banking

For Indonesia's fintech startups, religious clerics are the gatekeepers to digital banking.

By Andrew Deck and Sri Kusmiati

A woman tries VR Devotee’s headset at Kumbh Mela.

Features 25 August 2020

Gods in the machine: India’s faithful no longer have to leave home

With VR headsets and virtual temples, India’s faithful no longer have to leave home.

By Chris Newens

News 6 January 2022

Why anti-Muslim apps keep reappearing on GitHub

Bulli Bai is just the latest in GitHub's list of moderation failures.

By Nilesh Christopher

Features 28 July 2020

For young Muslims, new dating apps are a merger of love and tradition

For single Muslims in still-conservative societies, apps like Hawaya represent a new form of courtship.

Reports 16 November 2022

India’s gig workers blame platforms for ignoring a wave of religious attacks

There have been dozens of incidents of caste-based hate and discrimination against gig workers. Experts warn the trend could further entrench existing biases and divides.

By Sabah Gurmat

News 12 May 2020

Misinformation at the pulpit

Nigerians tend to trust religious leaders more than government officials — and during a pandemic, that could be disastrous.

News 9 June 2020

Living in unorthodox times

The Mexican government’s slow response to Covid-19 spurred Mexico City’s Jewish community to build a parallel digital infrastructure to keep its members safe.

By Yemile Bucay