Rapture Readyand the World Wide Web: Religious Authority on the Internet

Issues pertaining to authority have often been contentious within religious discourse. The emergence of the Internet has led some to claim that this further facilitates the undermining of such authority. Thus, some religious fundamentalist groups initially shunned this new technology to protect their identity and structure. However, the vast majority of religious groups now negotiate with the Internet and associated technologies to affirm their identity. One of the clearest examples of this can be found in a popular, fundamentalist, evangelical Web site known as Rapture Ready (www.raptureready.com). The site is dedicated to promulgating the belief in the idea that the rapture will soon occur that results in all Christians being taken up with Christ. Utilizing Network Gatekeeping Theory to examine web content and forum discussion boards, it will be demonstrated that the Internet is effectively utilized to strengthen religious authority.