O profeta digital e o rebanho dos novos tempos. A análise da relação entre uma celebridade religiosa pentecostal e o seu público

Abstract

This study employs ethnographic research and digital media monitoring to explore the concept of religious celebrity through the activities of an emerging evangelical leader, Bishop Bruno Leonardo. The online fieldwork and the analysis from digital channels — the Bishop's Instagram profile and YouTube channel — spanned 27 months, from August 2021 to November 2023. The ethnographic approach includes in-person fieldwork at the Avivamento Mundial Church, led by the Bishop, and participation in three editions of an event he promotes called "The Prophet's Visit." This dissertation sought to observe how the Bishop interacts with his followers, identifying the correlation between religion and media in his activities. The research hypothesisposits that Bishop Bruno Leonardo exemplifies different dimensions of the concept of religious celebrity and introduces a new form of relationship between a leader and his followers, enhancing the understanding of religion and media as interconnected areas.