I think that the answer to these questions defy generalisation. God-bloggers use the medium for a range of different reasons, none of them more or less valid than others.

I personally doubt that too many would list evangelism as high on the agenda. The type of blogs that I enjoy reading are "lone voice in the wilderness" type stuff - people engaging in a journey with little experience of having peers who are dealing with the same issues and concerns. Blogging is unique in that it can provide a support network from around the world.

Personally, I blog about my faith to learn more and to help others learn more. What I do is read a story or essay or a passage and I reflect on that which I post in my blog. For me, it is first and foremost for personal discovery and trying to connect and keep my faith. but at the same time, God encourages his followers to spread the Word, His Word, and encourage others to live a life of love. My reflections are mostly "tips" on how to do that, live a life of love.

I think the blogging about religion in English is just more of for practical reasons. almost everyone understands English and if you want to try and touch/inspire other people, then you gotta do it in a language that almost everyone can understand.

I'm not competent to answer the first question. My two working contemporary languages are English and French. I haven't seen too many God-blogs in French... but then, I haven't looked too hard, either.

I think I'd put my own blog in the "personal discovery" category. It allows me to interact with people outside of the congregation I serve. It allows me to interact with people with a wide variety of beliefs other than my own. Although I am an ordained minister, serving a congregation, I don't use it for "parish work", unless there's something I'm doing there that might be of interest to the wider community. (Though, sometimes I do ask for others' comments on something I'm planning to do with the congregation.)

Academic research... not really my area of study.

Evangelism... not actively. If someone, reading my journey, enters into a deeper relationship with God and/or a relationship with Christ, great... but it's not primary to my blog.

But, like Dan said - there are different blogs that cover all four.

Blessings and peace - Richard

No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Blogging about religion an English language thing? I don't know...however when I come across a site that is not in English, it may be a blog on religion or it may not. I do not know because I only read English! I figure Muslims probably blog about Islam in their own language, and German wiccans' probably blog about their religion in German. I don't understand the question!

A tool for parish work? Sometimes. Some bloggers may use their blog for that. I do not.

For personal discovery? Yes, I think so. My blog allows me the opportunity to ponder questions about my faith and often, if people comment or enter into discussion, it challenges me to really think about some issues. In many ways it affirms my faith, at times though, it can be challenging as well.

For evangelism? A blog can be a useful tool. There are many types of evangelism. I use my blog to share about how God works in my life. Some people may care, others may not. However, if a person has a question about a certain way God worked in my life, it can be used as a springboard into a discussion about God. It can open doors. The purpose of my blog is not to evangelize, but the opportunities it opens up are welcome.

For academic research? It can be, but I'm not sure if it would have validity. One has to be careful about sources of information. A personal blog many times is a collection of thoughts or opinions, not necessarily facts. This type of research would require great discernment. I don't think blogs need to be considered a source of academic research, although they can be used to share information about specific topics being researched.

From what I've seen, "God bloggers" are individuals sharing their observations and thoughts about all aspects of theology, and enjoying the opportunity to engage in dialogue with people of a variety of opinions. For instance, I got many thoughtful responses to my post, 'Thoughts', wondering about why "Generation X" emerging or alternative churches all seem to have conservative theologies. I don't often get to engage in safe, sane conversation with evangelicals, or for that matter, Orthodox, or charistmatics, or New Zealanders, or youth pastors in Ohio. It's, for me, a way to journal my theological development, and to share conversation with people going through similar things.

1. English, yes. When searching 'christian' or 'God' blogs it seems English is the primary result.

2. Parish work? If by parish we mean any kind of like minded community, especially in the virual world then, Yes. If by parish we mean an actual group of people that live in the physical world and identify with a local church then, No. Or at least, to a much lesser degree. Richard Bott has used his blog that way but I have seen few others.

Personal discovery, Yes.

For evangelism, Not as a primary mandate though some bloggers do get rather preachy at times.

For academic research? I would like to see those blogs, really would.

thrive
O
gooddogbaddog.ca and upsaid.com/uncollectedentries/

Eng = no - see blogger home page for other langs
Parish work = no
Personal discovery = no - but personal expression which may/not lead to discovery = yes
Evangelism = no
AR = no
My personal reasons =
1. I find it a way to express my creativity when it needs an outlet.
2. I enjoy writing
3. To engage with others on the same journey
4. To keep friends all round the place in the meandering loop of our lives

English=Yes
parish work? No.
For personal discovery? Yes.
For evangelism? Maybe.
For academic research? No.

I would have to go with most of what Jax said. I just blog to get my thoughts and ideas out. sometimes that helps me to have better insight to something; sometimes it helps others. if you want to call that "personal discovery," then sure. I couldn't say it's for "parish work" since that makes me think of people who work in a church, which I do not. I'm just a Christian expressing what I believe about life in general from a Christian perspective.

I don't read another language, so I'm no help on that question.

Put me down for one "Sarge" order.

Okay wow, these comments took me a long while to read thru. Anyway, English thing... no I would asume there are "religious" (I hate that word) blogs in other languages... but since I read only English (a litle Japanese too, but not useful) it's a little hard to know. But I would doubt "god blogging" is an English thing. Also... I don't work in a "parish" so I don't use it to do work for my "parish", but I do mention things going on locally in churches around the area, and sometimes I blog about awesome things God does, and other times I simply just write about my day. God Blogging is a more personal thing, it's for really discussing God and you. Christ is a relationship not a religion.

Wow. Thank you. You're a thoughtful bunch.

I'm an outsider to God Blogging. As a fan and analyst of blogging in general, I appreciate that the ideas of Christian dialog, sharing, and learning work so well with the blogging form. More so than if you were blogging about baseball, for instance. Conversation seems intrinsic to spiritual growth. My religious tradition emphasizes debate, the better to test your understanding.

I asked about other languages not so much for contrast with other religions but because people blog about different things in different cultures. Persian bloggers, mostly young men, write anonymously about political and sexual repression. Polish bloggers, mostly young women, write anonymously about their social lives. Brits blog like Yanks, except Manchester United and that Blair fellow seem to keep coming up.

Academic blogging is taking off in many disciplines in many countries, including those who work in seminaries and departments of philosophy and theology (Google on AKMA to get started there).

http://akma.disseminary.org/

Phil
Blogcount.com and a klog apart.