Religion

Visually rendering "religion" in contemporary global politics reflects similar challenges and assumptions to those encountered when attempting to make sense of the category of religion with the written word. Religion is governed through institutions and hierarchical leadership structures that are predominantly patriarchal. Its adherents gather together on a regular basis in formally designated and sanctified locations, engaging in established, officially authorised rituals. The chapter describes how the assumptions about what religion is and does permeate visual images in global politics and media in general terms. It considers three recent events and how visual renderings of religion intersect with the debates and assumptions about these events. They are the refugee crisis in Europe, the rise of ISIS and the threat of extremist terrorism, and the debates around the hierarchy of the right to freedom of religion or belief versus the right to freedom of expression generated in the wake of both the Danish cartoons affair and the Charlie Hebdo attacks.