Abstract
As human bodies continue to increase their online presence in virtual spaces, virtual embodiment has become a commonplace reality. Contemporary practitioners of religious traditions can now experience simulated religious spaces, rituals, and worship services, engaging them through a virtual avatar from the comfort of their home. Virtual reality baptisms mark a unique development in the evolution of Christianity. Physical bodies are being initiated into religious traditions in incorporeal space, simulating a traditionally material rite. This presentation examines the discourse surrounding the performance of virtual reality baptisms, analyzing how contemporary Christians who engage in this form of the practice accommodate the virtual in their construction of religious identities and community. Focusing on central themes of embodiment, materiality, and the aesthetics of human perception, the source analysis is grounded in the digital presence of the VR Church, the perspective of its founder, DJ Soto, and the testimonial uploads of church members and YouTube influencers.
How to Cite
Jefferson, C., (2021) “Submerged in the Virtual: Religious Embodiment in Virtual Space”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 34(1).
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