ABSTRACT
The empirical chapter starts with a reference to the multidimensionality of religious authority construction on the analysed forums, namely forum.wiara.pl, dyskusje.katolik.pl, and adonai.pl/zrodelko. It is stressed that authority can be both referenced and constructed by the users. On the basis of the results of analysis, it is argued that sources of religious knowledge are the foundation of authority construction. Referencing sources contributes to the construction and reproduction of institutional religious authority and is the key element of constructing bottom-up forms of such authority, namely informal experts. Their status is achieved primarily by demonstrating religious knowledge, reflecting upon personal experiences, and by being recognised as experts by most active members. It is shown how the informal experts stress individual agency and the importance of following one’s conscience, instead of trying to enforce any worldviews upon their interlocutors, which is one facet of the individualisation process. Finally, it is argued that the function of the forums is predominantly supportive and supplemental to the offline community, allowing the users to obtain religious knowledge, advice, support, or community experience they cannot receive to a satisfactory degree elsewhere.
