Response to Ghazala’s post “Main-streaming Christianity”

MTV’s The Real World produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray is the longest running series in MTV history. The series depicts issues spanning from sexuality to substance and drug abuse, prejudice, AIDS. In recent years the series has obtained a reputation for showcasing irresponsible, immature behavior. The Real World focuses on the lives of a group of strangers, who live together in a house (different locations), as cameras record every moment of their lives and interpersonal relationships. As you stated the show always depicts a devout religious person-whether they are Christian, Mormon. Producers always find a way to incorporate politics and religion to stir controversy. For example in The Real World Los Angeles housemate Jon Brennan engaged in a dispute with roommate Tami Roman over the topic of abortion. Another example of controversial debates over religion are seen in the Sydney season, where Dunbar infuriates Parisa and Trisha due to his comments about Jesus and the Bible. The series even captures the fight between an atheist roommate and Christian roommates (Real World Washington D.C)

I agree that the show depicts religious people as quirky and anti-social (which is definitely presented in the Real World Las Vegas through Michael Ross). The example of Julie from the Real World New Orleans is a great example. Raised in a strict Mormon household Julie wasn’t allowed to watch MTV and on a whim she auditioned for the show. Throughout the season Julie is depicted as coming to terms with the outside world, which is very different from her home and religious upbringing. As you said her religion is somewhat ridiculed on the show and of course it serves as entertainment for viewers (which is seen with the questions about drinking Coke, marriage and dating). Introducing various religious sects into one household adds entertainment through contrasting beliefs and eventual disagreements due to a clash in beliefs.

The portrayal of Christianity in the Real World: Las Vegas is interested (as seen with Michael Ross). As you said Michael Ross did not have typical Catholic upbringings. As you said his parents were heavily involved with drugs and served time in jail, which led to him moving in with his grandparents. He describes himself as a nerd, world hunger solution advocate and outspoken Libertarian. He refers to himself as a strong Catholic and attended Catholic school. It is interesting he openly admits he lost his virginity and has the same Catholic morals. As a result of his strong beliefs, he is often found fighting another roommate, as he doesn’t agree with his actions, or past mistakes (Dustin Zito). Zito is another interesting character. He describes his Pentecostal upbringing and beliefs preventing him from playing sports, obtaining certain jobs, dealing with drugs, etc. Despite religious upbringings, Zito worked in the pornography industry (this caused controversy in the household due to varying beliefs especially with strict Catholic Mike).

As stated in the article “Television Our Constant Companion”, producers love reality series because they are cheap to produce and attract an impressionable audience, which is why The Real World is an ideal series. As you stated the differences between characters and their strict labels, religious and political beliefs are preferred as it creates controversy and ultimately a great form of entertainment for viewers.

The Real World: Las Vegas trailer:

Gossip, vanity, sex... reality TV?

MTV, music television, is an American network based in New York City. The original purpose of the channel was to launch music videos that promoted new artists, music events and was a central location for both artists and fans to access highlights. In recent years, MTV has shifted it’s core focus to reality television series centered around teen pregnancies, portraying the lifestyle of partying “guidos”, and documentary series that captures the encounters of adolescents with the police. Many of MTV’s television series have been vehicles for pregnant teenagers to reach their goal of becoming rising stars. Teen Mom 1 and 2, and 16 and Pregnant have made their cast famous, and it is speculated that many teens have been getting pregnant just to be on the show. As the chapter “Television Our Constant Companion” stated “Younger viewers don’t want acting; they want to follow real people. They want models shaped like them caught up in stories with unpredictable endings (pg 214).” What happens when these “models” display behaviors contrary to Catholic moral teachings?

As I read the article and reflected on the effect of reality TV (in particular shows like 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Baby High) on impressionable youth I remembered the argument of Timothy Radcliffe in his work “What is the point of being Christian?” Timothy Radcliffe discusses the human body and its centralized position within Christian doctrine. The lack of respect for the human body is manifested through the trivialization of sex. The corruption of morals between individuals has heightened, and the most visible indication of this corruption is the glorification of premarital sexual acts. In modern society, the corruption of morals has heightened as a result of social communication and mass media. Mass media and public entertainment are predominant ways individuals, often children and adolescents, learn about and witness sexual behaviors. In today’s society, television series have a profound impact on how people understand life, the world and themselves, especially in regard to their values and their ways of choosing and behaving. As this weeks reading stated reality TV “offers viewers an unvarnished portrait of our capacity to lie, cheat and steal. The dark side of human sin gets revealed every hour (pg 215).”

Produced by Morgan J. Freeman and Dia Sokol Savage, 16 and Pregnant follows the stories of pregnant teens. It captures the hardships of teen pregnancy, including the drama with baby daddies, balancing raising a child and obtaining a high school diploma, providing for your family and being forced to grow up. MTV launched the spin-off series Teen Mom in December 2009 and Teen Mom 2 in 2011.

Week after week millions of viewers tune in to watch teen moms cope with their new lifestyles and try their best to parent on national television. The series attracted 2.1 million viewers. Why are viewers so fascinated with teen pregnancy? Although teen mom aims at educating viewers on the struggles teen moms face as well as preventative measures, I can’t help but wonder what the intent of these stars is. The Teen Mom stars earn $60,000 to $65,000 per season (no wonder why teens get pregnant just to be on the show and famous)

Teen Mom 2 Leah Messer and Cory Simms

This also occurs with the current stars… they continue to have children with different men probably to secure their spot on television. One example- Leah Messer was showcased on the second season of 16 and Pregnant. She became pregnant with fraternal twin girls after dating boyfriend Cory Simms for a month. She eventually married Cory, divorced him because he found out she cheated on him a week before the wedding, and is pregnant for the second time with her new fiancé Jeremy Calvert. The trivialization of the human body, as presented in social outlets such as advertisements and television series is problematic especially in regards to Christian moral teachings. These outlets depict these acts as okay behaviors (such as premarital sex), which goes against Catholic teachings. In reality there is a gap between Christian moral teachings about sexuality and how modern Christians live. Has media and reality TV played a role in constituting this gap?

Response to "The Socialogy of Jesus"

In response to “The Socialogy of Jesus” : http://christandpopcultpolitics.blogspot.com/

I agree that the majority of woman portrayed in popular films are femme fatales. Women are commonly depicted as the mysterious, seductive figure that lure and charm male figures through irresistible desire. This often leads the male figures into dangerous, potentially deadly situations. The femme fatale is capable of hypnotizing her victim with a spell. These female figures are often depicted as seductresses, vampires, witches or demons. The femme fatale manipulates men through lust and desire. This character is seen to influence men into hiding their misdeeds and taking the wrath for any crimes they commit.

This depiction of the female temptress has been illustrated in early Creation mythologies such as the Gospel Creation stories and the Greek Creation mythology. In the Greek story of creation everything begins with chaos and out of chaos the earth (Gaia) is formed. As a punishment to mankind, Zeus creates woman (Pandora). Pandora’s box is filled with the miseries and misfortunes of the world. Through this story women are seen as an evil creation. Prior to the fall of mankind, men lived free from cruelties and miseries. In relation to gender roles and the Christian Creation story, man is depicted at the hierarchy of genders (Man created first, women created out of man). In both stories women take on a negative role (women created as a companion for males vs. women created as a punishment for mankind).

This common conception was further reinforced by philosophers such as Aristotle. Due to a lack of heat, women were seen as inferior to males. Many believed women were in need of constant surveillance as they could not control their sexual desires as women are “lustful” beings.

I agree with your comment that males play a supportive role to the temptress female characters which points to juxtaposition between good and evil. I agree that the role of the female in this character has manifested itself in Western culture and dress (as stated in your example of Halloween costumes). This notion plays on the objectification of women as women are seen and portrayed as objects of desire.  

Harry Potter, Christ figure?

            

Through the release of her first novel of the Potter series (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone) J.K. Rowling sparked an international Pottermania craze. The Potter series brought people together in a large international and informal community.  Despite the large fandom, J.K. Rowling’s internationally popular phenomenon was critiqued and viewed with skepticism by various groups. In particular, religious sects reacted negatively towards the Harry Potter series due to the dominant role of magic within the series. Magic is associated with occult activities and it has been argued that such references would encourage impressionable children to participate in similar behavior. Religious conservatives felt Rowling’s stories encouraged children to embrace witchcraft. The fallout from this controversy included lawsuits, book burnings, campaigns, book bans in school environments and the American Library Association to place the series on the banned books list.

With the release of the final novel in the series, underlying Christian themes and imagery unfolded. After years of averting questions on whether Christian themes were present in the Potter series, Rowling affirmed the Christian allegory in her final book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It has been argued Potter is treated as a Messianic figure as he dies a sacrificial death, is tortured using the Cruciatus curse, and has an afterlife experience at “King’s Cross.” Potter resurrects and triumphs over Voldemort. Upon considering these parallels many Christians question whether Rowling crafted the Harry Potter story according to the Passion and death of Christ. But is Harry Potter representative of a Christ figure?

Using Kozlovic’s 25 structural characteristics of the cinematic Christ-figure as a framework, Harry Potter can be identified as a Christ-like figure. Potter displays Savior qualities every time he defends the wizard world from the evil (Devil figure) Voldemort. Harry Potter sacrifices his own life in order to save the world (which occurs on multiple occasions, and by doing so, he is able to destroy the evil wizard). In comparison to Christ’s scars on his hand and feet, Potter has a scar on his forehead as he withstood the killing curse (and temporarily defeats Voldemort). As described by Kozlovic, Christ-figures in films are simple, generally distinguished by a lack of wealth. Harry Potter is raised in humble circumstances. After the death of his wizard parents he lives under the stairs of the Dursley’s. Harry also has the physical traits of a Christ figure as argued by Kozlovic- the blue eyes.                 

                                             

Another common identifier as described by Kozlovic is a decisive death and resurrection. Potter spends three days in a coma after battling Voldemort. Potter is the object of Voldemort’s wrath and attention in comparison to Christ who is the object of Satan’s wrath. Harry descends into the Chamber of Secrets, and endures the Cruciatus Curse (pain and suffering paralleled with Christ enduring suffering on the cross).

Upon considering these factors and drawing upon discussion on this topic from a course I took last year, I can’t help but question whether young Christian readers easily identify Harry Potter as a Christ figure or simply a fictional character that engages in magical quests and combats? I also question whether the intended young audience can easily identify argued symbols, signs and metaphors present in the Harry Potter series as allusions and aspects of the Christian gospel message?

Response to Felicia’s post “Make Yourself-Nike Ad”

Response to Felicia’s blog post: http://305upinflames.blogspot.com/

I find this campaign very interesting. I was aware that Nike has been accused of having a history of using sweatshops.  This campaigns aims at empowering women and making them feel comfortable in their bodies. I agree that although Nike tries to communicate a positive message Nike’s use of sweatshop degrades their message. The environments in sweatshops are dangerous and difficult. Workers, usually women, are exposed to harmful situations and materials and abuse from employers. Sweatshop workers often work long days and make way lower than minimum wage. On one hand Nike promotes female empowerment and on the other it abuses women in Third World countries. As you stated, it creates an environment where women cannot be strong outside the sweatshop environment. 

I find it interesting that in one of the advertisements for this campaign the image portrays a female surfer (Laura Enever) engaging in a male sporting event (Gymnastics rings). The rings are an artistic gymnastics apparatus traditionally used only by males (due to the demand for extreme upper-body strength). Throughout the commercial athletes are portrayed as achieving their goals despite presented conditions or barriers (“Rain or shine I push myself to the limit everyday” – Julia Mancuso). Despite restrictions woman can break boundaries and prove both their physical and mental strength. 

I am not sure if this is part of the same campaign but this reminds me of Nike’s “My butt is Big” advertisements. “My butt is big” is just one of Nike’s attempts to promote self-acceptance amongst women of different body shapes and sizes. The advertisements range from depicting pictures of legs, hips and shoulders. The advertisements feature female body parts modeling Nike gear. As I discussed in my blog post, images of the female body and body parts are used to sell everything from food to cars to clothes. The female body has been used in several advertisements, commonly in a sexual manner as sex sells. 

Nike attempts to showcase the athlete’s body but portrays it in a sexual manner. Nike attempts to combat the conception that big butts are bad or “manly” shoulders on females are ugly. Although Nike portrays a positive message, there are still negative messages surrounding the ads (attainability of the body images depicted in the ads, “realness” of the females depicted in the photographs- photoshop or not). Through these advertisements Nike tries to eliminate the stereotype that athletic women are too masculine. Nike returns to the “sex sells” notion. For these ads, sex sells whether it’s an athletic model or curvy model. Although these images may empower women to accept their bodies, I think these ads also build on the ideal body image making viewers want the bodies advertised. Although many women may not be able to relate to the “butt” advertisement, many can relate to having issues with their body and embracing everything about themselves (“thunder thighs,” broad shoulders, hips).

"Sex sells but not for me"

We would all like to claim that we purchase products simply because we need them for survival as they fill certain needs in our lives. We live in a world in which consumer goods link us to certain groups. We are always trying to keep up with the latest fads. This fostering of desire to purchase certain goods and services has a profound impact on all ages. Reflecting back on my elementary days, the Tamagotchi or Nano handheld digital pet was extremely popular. Everyone in the schoolyard had one, including me. When something new came out we all quickly ran to the toy store to buy it as we didn’t want to be the only ones that did not have the “it” things.

Whether we are in public or in the privacy of our homes, walking across campus or watching TV we are heavily influenced by advertising. Advertising is part of the world we live. This is a world in which it seems normal to be addressed as a consumer in virtually every aspect of our lives. In some sense we have become walking advertisements by wearing clothes that plaster their brand name on t-shirts, sweaters, and pants. Advertising has many important functions including differentiating the “new” product from competing products, communicating general information, creating demands and generating profit. As noted in lecture, in order to capitalize sales, consumer capitalism employs the religious notion of desire into their advertisements. Similar to the religious desire for God’s love, the desire for products advertised are assumed to help individuals live better and fuller lives.

This desire becomes problematic, especially in relation to religion, when advertisers turn to sexual appeal and desire to generate products. As stated in “Consuming Faith: Advertising the Pornographic Gaze and Religious Desire” the central expression for advertising is that “sex sells.” Although most of us agree with this statement, we also feel it does not apply to us. Images of female bodies are everywhere- women and their body parts sell everything from food to cars. 

Magazines are filled with advertisements for quick weight loss in order to have it all- the perfect career, marriage, relationships. The unattainable body image (available through airbrushing and photo shop) is being imposed on women and young girls. This unattainable image is also presented in children’s toys such as Barbie.

Children are becoming more aware of the ideal body image and compare themselves to the extremely thin models in advertisements. As stated in the article “female beauty is seen as the epitome of feminine objectives” (page 59). Young girls are taught to be beautiful and desirable. This is extremely evident in shows like “Little Miss Perfect Pageant” or “Toddlers and Tiaras.” Children are becoming increasingly more competitive, pulling out all the stops to be crowned the most beautiful, “perfect” girl at the pageant. A lot of the children enroll in these pageants to fulfill their parent’s fantasy.

TLC’s show Toddlers and Tiaras has generated a lot of controversy. It follows the lives of multiple young girls who compete in beauty pageants around the United States. Pageant parents spend a lot of money on “wow wear”, pageant gowns, makeup, fake eyelashes, hair extensions, hair stylists, makeup artists and fake tans. Parents even invest in “flippers” –fake teeth if they feel their child’s teeth haven’t grown in perfectly.

Before sending their children on stage to “perform” parents often pump up their children with energy drinks and encourage their children to “shake what they got.” Not only are contestants fighting for the title and tiara, but they are also competing for thousands of dollars. Pageant contests glorify the commercial value of female beauty. Many children that lose these pageants view themselves as less desirable or beautiful. A child’s self-esteem is lowered and as the article states, the contestants in these pageants view their self-worth in relation to how desirable they appear in the opinion of the often male judges. It was interesting that the article pointed out most of these Pageants occur in very religious and conservative states. Assuming these parents are Christian and religious (which some are as you see parents praying before their child goes on stage), whatever happened to loving and respecting the body God blessed you with? On this quest to achieve beauty, how far will individuals go?

Link to a clip from "Toddler's and Tiaras": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABzMAuI1vj0