Beautiful, devout, reactionary.

Christian influencers: between digital charisma and authoritarian religious doctrine
PD Dr. Claudia Paganini (University of Innsbruck)

Christian influencers combine Bible quotations and religious teachings with images of beauty, idyllic scenes, family, femininity and a well-ordered world bathed in pastel shades. More or less explicitly, they convey clear notions of gender, sexuality, upbringing and obedience; this religious self-presentation often goes hand in hand with conservative and authoritarian worldviews. Why does such content seem so appealing today – still, or once again? And are the followers of these beautiful, devout and reactionary figures aware of just how recklessly they are currently putting their freedom at risk?

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Georges Tamer (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)

This lecture is part of the Bavarian Interreligious College (BIK), the lecture series organised by the Bavarian Research Centre for Interreligious Discourse (BaFID) at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. The theme for the 2026/2027 winter semester is: “Follow Me! Religious Self-Presentation on Social Media”.

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