Back to Community: Connecting Conspiracy Theorists Beyond the Screen

The Organic Christ Generation (OCG), originally an evangelical religious community based in Switzerland, has evolved into a multifaceted organisation with a diverse set of counter-knowledge platforms. What began as conferences and newspapers promoting various conspiracy theories has expanded into the digital realm with their video platform Kla.TV gaining significant viewership, particularly in German-speaking countries. However, driven by concerns over increasing online censorship and a desire for closer connections in anticipation of a perceived inevitable crackdown on alternative media providers, the OCG is actively seeking to strengthen physical connections among its members. This paper examines the complex relationship between the OCG's sophisticated digital infrastructure and its community-building efforts. Through qualitative interviews with OCG members, participant observation at OCG events, and in-depth analysis of OCG-published content, I explore how digital technologies both enhance the reach of their message and potentially hinder the religious community's growth. This paper investigates the tension between the community's online expansion and the desire for tangible, in-person connections with like-minded individuals sharing their heterogeneous beliefs. This conflict leads to far-reaching debates within the community about identity and their position towards society at large, offering insights into the challenges faced by a digital-age religious community seeking to balance virtual and physical presence.