Elena Larsen

Fully 88% of local elected officials use the Internet in the course of their official duties and many say their online activities have helped them learn more about local public opinion, stay in touch better with community groups, and encounter new voices in local civic life.

Sixty-eight million Americans have used the Web sites of government agencies, a figure up from 40 million such users two years ago. They exploit their new access to government in wide-ranging ways, finding information to further their civic, professi...

One in four Internet users has gotten religious or spiritual information online at one point or another. The September 11 terror attacks compelled millions of Internet users to turn to religious issues and concerns online. The most popular online religious activities are solitary ones, such as hunting for general spiritual information online.

Featuring the results of a 1,300 congregation online survey, this report details how churches, temples and other places of religious congregation use the Internet to extend their mission and help the spiritual and everyday life of their members.