Abstract
COVID-19 brought most Czech religious communities technologically into the 21st century. When Christian churches were completely closed for the first time in modern history shortly before Easter 2020 and social distance rules were introduced, the impact of the anti-pandemic restrictions on active believers in the Czech Republic was unprecedented. While the scope of the anti-pandemic measures varied throughout 2020 and 2021, access to sacred spaces, participation in worship services, and access to other spiritual services and sacraments were significantly restricted over the long term. This posed a huge challenge for believers and clergy alike. The dominant tool used by both sides to address this situation has been digital technology, which has almost overnight become the almost exclusive means of distributing religious content (services, readings, sermons, prayers), as well as the mediator of contact and communication between the faithful.
The reaction of churches and their transition to the online space was very rapid. Despite the initial lack of equipment, knowledge and experience, in a very short period of time it was possible to create services in the digital world that supported believers on many levels in their spiritual journey. These included not only streamed and recorded services, but also sermons, lectures, retreats, etc. In each wave of the pandemic, the quality of the outputs and the diversity of the offerings increased and became more innovative.
However, the change brought about by the pandemic did not have only an immediate impact. In the long run, it also set in motion a change in the perception of technology among the faithful. Technology is now far less seen as a supplementary, utilitarian and referential means of communication and practice. Instead, they have become a parallel platform with a comprehensive, relevant, and personalized offering of programs and services that can reflect individual spiritual needs in specific life situations.
The study, "Changing Perceptions of Digital Technologies in the Spiritual Life of Believers Under the Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic," offers churches a cross-section of the wide range of perceptions of digital technologies in the spiritual life of Christian believers across denominations, age categories, and regions of the country.
The results of the research allow us to anticipate that the future will be a hybrid environment that allows all believers to move between offline and online religious spaces and to take advantage of both. It will be necessary for churches to evaluate the lessons learned from the pandemic, analyze the impacts, and develop strategies to innovate, balance, and complement traditional ministries using modern technology to benefit all of their congregants. The needs of those who reject technology can be met in traditional ways. But in the future, it is essential to find appropriate ways to approach the needs of others who perceive technologically transmitted religious programs as beneficial, enriching, or authentic. This group will grow larger over time as the next generation of so-called "digital natives" grows up. Thus, technology-delivered religious programs and services can help churches connect with all of their members, strengthen relationships, and increase loyalty. To this end, churches should develop a robust, thoroughly prepared, and long-term strategy for their online presence that takes advantage of new opportunities while reflecting theological, organizational, financial, and human limitations. In the area of clergy training, it will be necessary to incorporate into the training curriculum the development of new skills for priests and pastors in online communication, spiritual direction and online community building. A thorough understanding of the needs and feelings of the people on the other side of the screen or monitor is a must. The study "Transforming the perception of digital technologies in the spiritual life of believers under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic" is one of the first steps on this journey.