Christianity and Parasocial Relationships

Episode 3 of Lived in Christianity is here! This episode, Savannah and Emmanuel discuss Christian parasocial relationships, the church's idolatry of pastors, and what to do if you're too addicted to your pastor or an online influencer. Tell us about your favorite online pastors and what it was that helped you feel connected in the comments below! Our sources for this one aren't as fancy but the information is still compelling!

Check out the reading list below!

Source 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9977013/

Source 2: https://thegauntlet.ca/2023/09/06/from-fans-to-victims-the-dangerous-side-of-parasocial-relationships-with-online-influencers-and-children/

Source 3: https://www.proquest.com/openview/57ec44abfc0f4b293d26c187191aba73/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Source 4: https://www.forbes.com/health/dating/parasocial-relationships/#:~:text=Engaging%20in%20parasocial%20interactions%20may,interaction%20and%20a%20genuine%20one

Source 5: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/parasocial-relationships

Source 6: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958821000981

Source 7: https://nsucurrent.nova.edu/2021/11/08/the-psychology-behind-parasocial-relationships/

Source 8: https://psychcentral.com/health/parasocial-relationships

Source 9: https://www.findapsychologist.org/parasocial-relationships-the-nature-of-celebrity-fascinations/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20parasocial%20relationships%20are,encouragement%2C%20and%20loyalty%20towards%20them