Negotiating Religious Truth Claims in the Digital Era: A Communication-Ethics Perspective on Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and Pluralism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/jis.v6i3.56308Kata Kunci:
claims of religious truth, communication ethics, digital space, exclusivism, inclusivisim, pluralismAbstrak
The development of digital technology has transformed religious communication patterns from conventional spaces to open and interactive virtual public spaces. Social media has become not only a means of disseminating religious teachings but also an arena for contesting various truth claims involving perspectives of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. This condition often gives rise to religious tensions due to differing perspectives on religious truth, reinforced by the logic of algorithms and the culture of digital virality. This study aims to analyze how religious truth claims are constructed and negotiated in the digital space, identify the factors that give rise to tensions between exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism, and examine the role of communication ethics in managing these tensions. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data sources consisting of religious communication content in digital media and various relevant academic literature. Data were collected through digital observation, documentation, and library research, then analyzed using Miles and Huberman's interactive analysis model. The results show that the digital space has become a primary arena for the construction and negotiation of religious truth claims, influenced by digital authority, media algorithms, and audience participation. This research also uncovered the phenomenon of digital performative exclusivism, namely the aggressive use of religious truth claims to gain legitimacy and popularity. Furthermore, communication ethics plays a crucial role as a bridge for dialogue through the principles of moral responsibility, information verification, and respect for diversity. Therefore, strengthening digital literacy and religious communication ethics is necessary to create a more inclusive, tolerant, and constructive digital space.
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