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Post by jennifercw on Jan 24, 2021 16:48:26 GMT
There is a bit of controversy (maybe not quite the right way to put it - perhaps the issue has sparked discussion...) in my Episcopal communicator facebook group - and in the broader Episcopal Church I believe - about the appropriateness of putting sitting Bernie inside a church. Apparently one church (not sure which denomination) even put him in a baptismal font!? The vast majority of the memes seem to be meant in good fun and it sounds as if Senator Sanders is embracing his viral moment - but I did cringe when I saw the first church Bernie meme. Can memes go too far do you think?
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Post by gar on Jan 24, 2021 17:02:28 GMT
but I did cringe when I saw the first church Bernie meme. Can memes go too far do you think? Not for me but I'm not religious.
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Post by Skellinton on Jan 24, 2021 19:00:32 GMT
There is a bit of controversy (maybe not quite the right way to put it - perhaps the issue has sparked discussion...) in my Episcopal communicator facebook group - and in the broader Episcopal Church I believe - about the appropriateness of putting sitting Bernie inside a church. Apparently one church (not sure which denomination) even put him in a baptismal font!? The vast majority of the memes seem to be meant in good fun and it sounds as if Senator Sanders is embracing his viral moment - but I did cringe when I saw the first church Bernie meme. Can memes go too far do you think? I don’t think the ones you described are offensive, but absolutely memes can go to far. I don’t think putting Bernie in a church is inappropriate. He is just sitting, after all. If he were setting something in a church on fire I could see how that would be offensive, but just sitting in a church the way he was? To be offended by that is a bit of a stretch.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jan 24, 2021 19:07:53 GMT
I think memes often go too far - there's a whole element of offensiveness in many of them. But I agree with the previous posters that I see nothing offensive about putting Bernie in a church- can you discuss a bit on why some are seeing it as controversial jennifercw
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Post by jennifercw on Jan 24, 2021 20:20:06 GMT
I think memes often go too far - there's a whole element of offensiveness in many of them. But I agree with the previous posters that I see nothing offensive about putting Bernie in a church- can you discuss a bit on why some are seeing it as controversial jennifercw Sure, but please note that the FB group is made up of professional communicators who are working for Episcopal dioceses and parishes - so our discussion about the issue is through that lens. The group is private so I won't share comments as written - but will paraphrase. Someone felt that a reference to a visit is playful and respectful but that anything implying membership or involvement is not. Someone said they think it is inappropriate to show ANY politician as if they endorse a specific church. Someone else said showing bernie in fun, unexpected places is a meme, but that showing him in one's church is an ad - and is self serving. Someone shared this post from the public FB page for The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York: On the other hand, many of the communicators feel it is much ado about nothing, just harmless levity, and point out that "All Are Welcome" in the Episcopal church. Which is certainly true. We had a parishioner at one time whose Jewish spouse occasionally attended! I'm not personally offended by these memes and I likely wouldn't even take issue with an individual posting the image of sitting Bernie in their church. But as a church communicator - I don't think it is appropriate to use such a meme on our church official social media channels. That's where the cringe comes in for me... (Honestly - I think there is a very fine line between levity and cringy silliness when it comes to official church communication anyway. I don't think I have ever posted ANY meme on our church social media!)
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jan 24, 2021 20:43:17 GMT
Thanks for expanding - I actually didn't remember that Bernie is Jewish. I do think that adds an element that I did not consider on first reflection.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 24, 2021 20:46:17 GMT
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 24, 2021 20:53:46 GMT
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 24, 2021 20:54:08 GMT
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 24, 2021 20:54:28 GMT
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