Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
BILIMNAME, cilt.43, ss.31-71, 2020 (ESCI)
The aim of the study was to examine the Generation M's opinions, motivations and approaches on online belief practices within the frame of modern visual cultural and media. How the Internet and social media in the modern visual culture affect the online belief practices of Generation M as the main problem was addressed in the study. Accordingly, how young Muslims especially Generation M express themselves and their beliefs through the Internet and social media, and how symbolic sources of media space are associated with the meanings and practices of belief, spirituality, religion and transcendentality were discussed. The qualitative narrative analysis method was used to interpret the first-hand narratives about Generation M's perceptions and experiences. Semi-structured interview data collection techniques as well as a cyberethnographic observation as a supportive element were used and the questionnaire was answered by 20 participants who were selected through purposive typical case and snowball sampling technique. In conclusion, it has been revealed that the Internet and social media which can be described as value-laden tools due to both their cultural determinations and technical features has a significant effect on the formation of young Muslims' online belief practices. It can be stated that this effect has a secularizing feature since it subjects the content/principle of religious-like practices to the secular (secularizing) nature of modern visual culture. This indicates that although a part of the online belief practices of young Muslims presents a religious image, it may be inherent to a secular understanding.