Yes, No, Cancel: Clicking Our Way to a Public Theology of Cyberdemocracy

Author: Stoddart, Eric

Source: International Journal of Public Theology, Volume 2, Number 3, 2008 , pp. 328-353(26)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This article defines cyberdemocracy within the framework of a digital and social space. It places this emerging practice in the context of the displacement of political power and action, and a range of visions for digital technologies in general. A number of dimensions of the 'digital divide' are explored. Representative theological perspectives on technology are used to develop a theological digital technology that identifies it as a dimension of giftedness instantiated in human co-creativity with God. In this article the bifurcation of 'spiritual' and 'technology' is rejected in favour of a model that encourages the celebratory and ethical aspects of digital technology. It finds contemporary predilections for multiple 'data-images' in our online presence promiscuous and inhibiting to relationality when viewed from a Christian perichoretic perspective. Finally, the article draws conclusions that encourage political responses to the ideology of interactivity and that contend for both state and civil society to be in partnership in addressing the multiple factors of the 'digital divide'.

Keywords: CYBERDEMOCRACY; E-DEMOCRACY; TECHNOLOGY; SPIRITUALITY; THEOLOGY; CYBERSPACE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156973208X316216

Affiliations: 1: University of St Andrews, UK

Publication date: 2008-06-01