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Journals / Intermedia International e-Journal / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 24

The Digital Construction of the Sacred: Mediatization and Transformation of Religious Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye

Kutsalın Dijital İnşası: Türkiye’de Yapay Zekâ Çağında Dini İletişimin Dönüşümü ve Medyalaşması

Recep Altay(IĞDIR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TUZLUCA MESLEK YÜKSEKOKULU)0000-0001-9250-3382
Pages
330–357
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that institutional authority representatives perceive AI as a "soulless" mechanism detached from context that weakens the essence of religious knowledge, where the hierarchical system of authorization (ijazah) is replaced by unregulated speed.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The transformative power of digitalization on religious knowledge and practices has evolved into a new dimension with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, moving traditional authority structures to a different plane.
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Key Findings & Data:A qualitative research method was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants selected through purposeful sampling.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that institutional authority representatives perceive AI as a "soulless" mechanism detached from context that weakens the essence of religious knowledge, where the hierarchical system of authorization (ijazah) is replaced by unregulated speed.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yapay Zekâ · Dini İletişim · Medyalaşma

Abstract

The transformative power of digitalization on religious knowledge and practices has evolved into a new dimension with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, moving traditional authority structures to a different plane. This research examines the transformative impact of AI on religious communication within the framework of Stig Hjarvard’s "media logic" and Knut Lundby’s "social constructivism" theories. It is argued that technology has evolved from being a passive tool into an algorithmic authority that reconstructs religious meaning. A qualitative research method was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants selected through purposeful sampling. The sample is divided into two main categories: the "religious authority" group representing the institutional perspective, and "digital users" who actively use technology. The findings reveal that institutional authority representatives perceive AI as a "soulless" mechanism detached from context that weakens the essence of religious knowledge, where the hierarchical system of authorization (ijazah) is replaced by unregulated speed. Conversely, digital users experience AI as a non-judgmental interlocutor and a safe space that enables individual construction of faith. Consequently, AI does not eliminate religion but rationalizes it, transforming it into a fragmented, personalized, and new form of sacredness aligned with media logic.

Özet

Dijitalleşmenin dini bilgi ve pratikler üzerindeki dönüştürücü gücü, günümüzde yapay zekâ (YZ) teknolojilerinin yükselişiyle birlikte geleneksel otorite yapılarını farklı bir düzleme taşıyan yeni bir boyuta evrilmiştir. Bu araştırma, YZ’nin dini iletişim üzerindeki dönüştürücü etkisini Hjarvard’ın "medya mantığı" ve Lundby’nin "sosyal inşacılık" kuramları çerçevesinde incelemektedir. Teknolojinin pasif bir araç olmaktan çıkıp dini anlamı yeniden kurgulayan bir algoritmik otoriteye evrildiği savunulmaktadır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenmiş; amaçlı örnekleme yoluyla belirlenen 12 katılımcı ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Örneklem, kurumsal bakış açısını temsil eden "dini otorite" grubu ve teknolojiyi aktif kullanan "dijital kullanıcılar" olmak üzere iki ana kategoriye ayrılmıştır. Bulgular, kurumsal otorite temsilcilerinin YZ’yi dini bilginin özünü zayıflatan, bağlamdan kopuk ve ruhsuz bir mekanizma olarak gördüğünü, hiyerarşik icazet sisteminin yerini denetimsiz bir hıza bıraktığını ortaya koymaktadır. Buna karşılık dijital kullanıcılar, YZ’yi yargılanmayan bir muhatap ve bireysel inanç inşasına olanak tanıyan güvenli bir alan olarak deneyimlemektedir. Sonuç olarak; YZ dini ortadan kaldırmamakta, ancak onu rasyonalize ederek parçalı, kişiselleştirilmiş ve medya mantığına uyumlu yeni bir kutsallık formuna dönüştürdüğü söylenebilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Altay, R. (2026). The Digital Construction of the Sacred: Mediatization and Transformation of Religious Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye. Intermedia International e-Journal, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 24, 330–357. https://doi.org/10.56133/intermedia.1899100

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