Christian Identity on Facebook

This case study will focus on how Facebook constructs and presents Christian identity. More specifically I will focus on how Facebook helps or hinders a Christian to portray and define their personal identity. Facebook allows a person to create a profile or a set of characteristics or qualities that identify a type or category of person or thing. These profiles are made up of a person’s name, gender, education, job, hometown (where someone grew up), current location, interest and favorite things. It is simple to create a Facebook profile or account, all a person needs is a valid email address and a little time. Facebook allows someone to create an identity to share with ‘friends’ online. This identity created for the Facebook world may not be a person’s true identity; by placing false information into the different sections someone can create a profile for anything from a superhero to a dog, this fake profile. Although a profile may not be fake, in the same way, someone can present themselves in a way that can be pleasing to others. In other words, presenting themself in a false light. How a person allows themselves to be portrayed through Facebook, and who they allow to view their identity or profile allows them to alter who they would like to be.