The Metaverse, Religious Practice and Wellbeing: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Humanities
• Sociology of Religion
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The metaverse is conceptualized as the next internet phase, an interconnected digital ecosystem for multiuser experiences.
• Current discussions on the metaverse primarily focus on secular applications like retail, entertainment, and social networking.
• The impact of the metaverse on religion and religious practices remains underexplored despite religion's significance for identity and well-being.

Approach:

• This narrative review synthesizes contemporary research on online religious practices.
• It examines the utilization of immersive digital technologies for religious purposes.
• The review connects existing research to potential metaverse impacts on religion.

Key Points:

• The metaverse offers a novel platform for religious engagement, potentially mirroring or extending existing online practices.
• Immersive technologies within the metaverse could foster new forms of religious experience and community.
• Religion's role in social identity and psychological well-being suggests a significant potential impact from metaverse integration.

Conclusions:

• The metaverse presents a new paradigm for religious expression and connection.
• Exploring the metaverse's influence on religion is crucial for understanding future societal and spiritual landscapes.
• This emerging digital space may offer novel avenues for spiritual flourishing and religious practice.