The Christian Churches and their Representations of Peace in Colombia. From Dualism and Political Instrumentalization to Social Commitment

Abstract

The year of endorsement of the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC‑EP) is considered one of the most crucial public debates in the country. In the new social interaction scenarios such as social media, political and religious leaders are using digital platforms to position their own understanding of peace. Therefore, this research raises the question: What were the representations that religious actors attributed to peace during this period? Using digital ethnography on the Facebook profiles of different religious leaders to corroborate the range of representations inscribed within specific Christian religious currents, and which, in accordance with their own ties and perspectives towards the political, provide their own meanings about peace. This article revisits theoretical approaches to the sociology of religion, peace studies and virtuality in social phenomena, and aims to study representations associated with events like “gender ideology,” the manipulation by the opposition campaign against the peace agreements, as well as the diverse Christian narratives around social change.