ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the trait of experiential authenticity is introduced to highlight the process of how religious individuals determine whether the religious information and practices they engage with online are real or true. Digital media platforms provide new ways to understand and negotiate authenticity. Oftentimes, personal experiences take precedence in how a person decides what they believe to be authentic. In the early days of internet studies, debates revolved around whether the online or virtual space was “real” or not. This chapter will show that digital spaces are “real” spaces that have actual online and offline consequences. Another area of concern for researchers is how people are represented online and how that impacts the veracity of their online actions and engagements. This chapter's case study shows how religious beliefs and practices are negotiated through creating and sharing religious memes. Experiential authenticity is about creating coherence between one's online and offline religious experiences.
