Follow ME!: Religion, Reach, and Digital Self-Presentation
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Follow ME! Religious Self-Presentation in the Digital Space
Religious questions confront people today not only in churches, mosques, and synagogues but also on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms. The online lecture series Follow ME! Religious Self-Presentation in Social Media invites a careful and critical examination of digital faith communication, religious identity, and new forms of spiritual publicness.
Provocation for Reach?
The focus of the lecture on October 22, 2026, is the digital staging of Christian fundamentalist and far-right influencers. Madlen Geidel from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg investigates how topics such as sexual ethics, gender, and societal order are represented and emotionally intensified on social media.
Religion between Faith Practice and Platform Logic
The event combines religious studies expertise with media-critical analysis. Using the example of the channel Ketzer der Neuzeit, it becomes evident how religious content is adapted to the dynamics of digital platforms through provocation, emotionalization, and scandalization. This results in new, institution-independent forms of religious authority and personalized interpretation offerings.
Interreligious Dialogue and Joint Reflection
As part of the Bavarian Interreligious College and the Bavarian Research Center for Interreligious Discourse, the lecture series opens a space for professional discussion, societal exchange, and interreligious understanding. The moderation is led by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt from the University of Siegen.
Participation takes place online via the ReliLab platform. A calm atmosphere, focused listening, and interaction with different perspectives make the digital event a unique religious and academic experience. All interested parties are welcome.
Conclusion
Visitors can expect an informed lecture on religious self-presentation, digital authority, and the societal consequences of faith communication in social media. Those who wish to understand how religion, political messages, and reach logic interact in the digital realm will experience an inspiring evening of reflection and interreligious dialogue.
