The Believers Project

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe” VoltaireReligion moves masses.

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe” Voltaire

Religion moves masses. It is a shared consciousness, expressed through rituals and

symbols, preserved through tradition, and each claiming entitlement to truth.

The Believers is a body of documentary work by photographer Jordi Pizarro, in his quest to explore the question why do people believe, and how has religion, through the ages, been used to narrate the purpose of our existence.

As part of an on-going long-term project, The Believers explores religious communities in 10 countries across 4 continents. In his work, Jordi Pizarro seeks to document and

understand how communities are formed through religion, or the contrary; how beliefs are reinforced through preserving traditions; and faith is strengthened through performing rituals and sharing a common interpretation of truth.

Jordi Pizarro also sets out to demonstrate that faith, and the practice of religion is

intrinsically linked to human life. That cultural practices of faith differ, but the pursuit for truth remains common to all.

The Believers also focuses on minority groups and religions that exist within a society of believers of a different faith. It looks at how communities may isolate themselves, or be isolated, and how faith serves to strengthen and counsel individuals who guard their rituals and the right to perform them with fierce conviction and passion.

This body of work is a pilgrimage in its own right, to unravel the complexity of human

faith. The Believers sets out to capture the moment “truth” – the moment of absolute faith that leads individuals to endure physical suffering; to believe with absolute certainty in that which they cannot see; to inflict pain and sacrifice upon themselves; and at the most extreme, be prepared to die for their faith, to kill and even to wage war.