Blurb:

This essay compares Believer with a German documentary called “What Do You Believe In?”. This documentary differs from Believer in some regards. It fully relies on an insider approach that is not interrupted by an (academic) expert-presenter like Aslan. “What Do You Believe In?” does not present an exotic other, but apparently “normal” young people living their religion in a pluralistic society. The essay argues that this form of representation helps to legitimize and authorize a specific populist image of religion as “real,” and thus as “authentic” and “good,” while subtly allowing the audience to delegitimize other forms of religion that do not directly manufacture “good citizens” who secure the stability of the community.