Slate is running an interesting article on Christian pop culture and its inherent contradictions. Generally speaking, I think it's pretty respectful to both sides of the discussion. Curious to hear what folks think.
I remember the explanations back from my Church-going days. Particularity as a teen in a teen-ministry, the pop culture was the bridge between the stodgy solemnity of the "main" church and the school and lives that were bright and funny and filled with distractions. But yes, there's a compromise there, but not a very new one. Changing the "less important" factors of a faith to make it more palpable has been around since Western Europe became Christianized some thousand years ago.
Well, not for the first time I find myself wishing that Slate (along with most other media) would stop perpetuating the misconception that "Christian" and "evangelical" are the same thing. Granted, the fundamentalist right likes to think that they are -- despite the contrary evidence of over a millennium and a half of religious and secular history -- but I have no idea why the media should buy into that particular piece of propaganda when they're skeptical of so much else.
As for the general existence of tacky and/or insipid religious art . . . well, good taste was never listed as one of the requirements for salvation. "In my father's house there are many mansions," and some of them are probably going to have black velvet paintings of Elvis hanging on the walls.
...I have no idea why the media should buy into that particular piece of propaganda when they're skeptical of so much else.
I think it's in the finest tradition of modern journalism (you know, a tradition established 20 minutes ago by "journalists" suffering from chronic ADHD) to cherry pick what to pay attention to and what to ignore.
With regard to blurring the lines between "Christian" and "evangelical", I think you're right when you say that the right likes to blur the lines. But to me, that's part of the whole problem with the Christian/evangelical right. There's a lot of wanting to have their cake and eat it too (like the anti-abortionists who choose abortion when they find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy), and hoping that no one notices.
I think it's in the finest tradition of modern journalism
Probably the same tradition that has reporters at a worldcon going right past the rooms full of people discussing art, literature, and popular culture in order to interview the person wearing Spock ears and a chain-mail bikini.
Story: At Radcon, a TV journalist from a local station was in the dealer's room with her cameraman shooting the dealers, the bellydancers and the costumers. davidlevine's short story collection was debuting at the show, so I asked the reporter if she'd thought about covering the authors and artists. She looked at me like I had two heads. davidlevine was nearby, so I grabbed him and a copy of the book and dragged them over to her. She proceeded to do 15-20 seconds with him and talked about the writers and artists, and plugged his collection. (Photo evidence can be seen here.)
I know you can't always get the horse to drink, but sometimes leading them to water makes a difference. I just hate that the leading has to be done.
Isn't the inherent contradiction claiming salvation through a messiah that didn't meet the messianic prophecies fulfilment and forgoing their Judaic heritage and not seeking redemption through tikkun olam...
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I remember the explanations back from my Church-going days. Particularity as a teen in a teen-ministry, the pop culture was the bridge between the stodgy solemnity of the "main" church and the school and lives that were bright and funny and filled with distractions. But yes, there's a compromise there, but not a very new one. Changing the "less important" factors of a faith to make it more palpable has been around since Western Europe became Christianized some thousand years ago.
(Ganked onto this journal also..good find!)
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As for the general existence of tacky and/or insipid religious art . . . well, good taste was never listed as one of the requirements for salvation. "In my father's house there are many mansions," and some of them are probably going to have black velvet paintings of Elvis hanging on the walls.
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I think it's in the finest tradition of modern journalism (you know, a tradition established 20 minutes ago by "journalists" suffering from chronic ADHD) to cherry pick what to pay attention to and what to ignore.
With regard to blurring the lines between "Christian" and "evangelical", I think you're right when you say that the right likes to blur the lines. But to me, that's part of the whole problem with the Christian/evangelical right. There's a lot of wanting to have their cake and eat it too (like the anti-abortionists who choose abortion when they find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy), and hoping that no one notices.
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Probably the same tradition that has reporters at a worldcon going right past the rooms full of people discussing art, literature, and popular culture in order to interview the person wearing Spock ears and a chain-mail bikini.
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Story: At Radcon, a TV journalist from a local station was in the dealer's room with her cameraman shooting the dealers, the bellydancers and the costumers. davidlevine's short story collection was debuting at the show, so I asked the reporter if she'd thought about covering the authors and artists. She looked at me like I had two heads. davidlevine was nearby, so I grabbed him and a copy of the book and dragged them over to her. She proceeded to do 15-20 seconds with him and talked about the writers and artists, and plugged his collection. (Photo evidence can be seen here.)
I know you can't always get the horse to drink, but sometimes leading them to water makes a difference. I just hate that the leading has to be done.
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wait.. sorry, I was beginning to rant... :(
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Christian "pop culture exists in a carefully fabricated space somewhere between non sequitur and oxymoron.
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