Religious Organizations on Social Media: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects for Spiritual Communities in Ukraine

Abstract

This article examines the use of social networks by religious organizations in Ukraine for missionary, social, educational, spiritual, and cultural activities within the context of contemporary global challenges. The study's relevance and novelty lie in identifying the role of social networks as a driving force in modern religious practices. The concept of digital religion and its defining characteristics are analyzed. It is observed that social media play a significant role in shaping religious discourse, raising questions about the authenticity of faith and the influence of digital culture on religious experience. The study highlights the role of social networks as a vital tool for religious communication, evangelization, spiritual education, and the construction of religious identity in the digital sphere. The author evaluates both the benefits and potential risks associated with the use of social media algorithms for religious influence, which can simultaneously foster spiritual development and contribute to religious polarization. Furthermore, the article examines key official documents that regulate the use of social networks by religious organizations in Ukraine. Various forms of spiritual, educational, and socio-cultural activities conducted by leading Ukrainian religious organizations on social networks are analyzed, including online sermons and worship services, virtual prayer meetings, thematic groups for mutual spiritual support, the publication of believers' spiritual experiences, social and charitable initiatives, and the organization of religious pilgrimages and tourism. The conclusions underscore the significance of social networks not only as a critical means of communication but also as a powerful instrument for support, coordination of aid efforts, spiritual guidance, and informational resistance. In the face of global challenges, Ukrainian religious leaders actively utilize social media to fulfill both moral and spiritual missions while playing a crucial social role in fostering education and promoting civic unity during a difficult period for the country. Through their activities, they reinforce Ukrainian identity, safeguard national interests, and uphold spiritual independence.