As the holiday season unfolds, many of us gather with friends and family and seek connection with our religious communities. However, not everyone can join their fellow worshippers in person. Luckily, as pioneered at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, America’s Excellent Internet connects people with religious services for digital worship!
Digital worship became necessary during the pandemic, and the practice of worshiping virtually remains high. Today, nearly a quarter of American adults regularly view religious services online, according to Pew Research. Many churches and houses of worship have embraced livestreaming. Synagogue Studies Institute found that 85% of synagogues now offer livestream services, a significant increase from 24% before the pandemic.
Widespread high-quality Internet connectivity has made worship more accessible, enabling people to celebrate the holidays the way they want. This access is especially important for diverse communities, with Pew Research finding that “members of historically Black Protestant denominations are especially likely to be in the virtual audience for church services.”
Many surveyed report watching religious services alone, with the Internet offering a lifeline for these social and spiritual connections. While not intended to replace physical gatherings, digital worship’s flexibility is crucial for those facing various challenges, enabling them to continue to engage with their faith communities.
Beyond worship, even before the pandemic, many religions started additional outreach and services online. For instance, American Muslim students often learn to read the Quran in Arabic via virtual lessons. OnlineJewishLearning.com offers remote courses for Hebrew Torah studies. And millions of Christians tune into the “Bible in a Year” podcast.
Jeff Reed of The Church Digital explains, “We need the digital, and we need the physical,” and added that houses of worship should offer online services to “reach people who may never step foot in your church but happen to scroll across something that moves them.”
Whether through a digital worship service or an online learning opportunity, America’s Excellent Internet is helping Americans connect deeper to their faiths.
