Would You “Sell” Your Religion?
by A point of view over the American Christian marketing.
Image by author
As a South American girl who lived for a while in United States, I never got used to the idea of promoting faith through traditional advertisement.
I am a Catholic who always felt respect for all kind of religions and every time I travel I like to go to churches, sanctuaries and other sacred places and observe the coincidences or differences of the people around the world in their spiritual search. Personally, I believe we all are looking for the same God, although we can disagree about lots of details.
Living in US, I visited many Christian churches in several cities and met very nice and serious people, most of them really committed to their particular faith.
But, still, I didn’t feel comfortable when I opened the newspaper and saw the advertising section where the Christian churches seemed to compete against each other to gain more worshipers. They even had attractive slogans like “The church where Christ is the King”. If you think about it, this sentence implies that “Christ is not the King” in other churches. The words you pick to put in an advertisement are not innocent.
Image by author
Take a look at this other one: “Catholic? Thinking about it? Call now!”. To me, it sounds like one of that TV commercials where you are prompted to run to your phone in order to not loose the offer.
Image by author
I hope nobody feel offended for what I am saying but I just can’t think about my faith just as another product, one more in the market, as if you could buy it with money. I’m sure no one in these churches is saying that spiritual relief, salvation or forgiveness have a price in dollars. I’m pointing to the style of communication. In my case, maybe because I was born in a different culture, it’s hard to accept it. I wonder if there can be a religious marketing in the same way that exists a marketing for almost anything.
Since Triond is an international community, maybe we can debate or share different ideas to enrich our points of views around this subject.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentReilley
On January 16, 2009 at 10:52 am
I agree with you completely, I find it crass and in poor taste.
I cannot imagine anyone looking for spiritual guidance in the Yellow Pages.
Bren Parks
On January 16, 2009 at 2:25 pm
You are so right. The Vatican is the richest institution in the world..public or private.
Betty Carew
On January 16, 2009 at 5:03 pm
You are right on in this article , some of the signs outside churches are unbelieveable makes you wonder what their marketing
denus
On January 16, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Really great article.
keep it up.
cheers,
denus
Ruby Hawk
On January 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I am not offended. I agree with you. A person’s religion or spiritual beliefs should be a very personal thing. Nothing to be advertised or bragged about. It should be the one thing which remains private.A church should be a serene welcoming place for those who choose to go there.
CutestPrincess
On January 17, 2009 at 2:10 am
great article maria, this is true, it really happen anywhere in the globe! i dont understand why they need to do that!
CHAN LEE PENG
On January 17, 2009 at 8:39 am
Like others, I agree to you!
nobert soloria bermosa
On January 17, 2009 at 8:29 pm
some people established their own church merely for profiteering and there’s no doubt about that
rutherfranc
On January 25, 2009 at 3:57 am
I`d sell religion if it spreads the Word of God, but as you pointed out – not thru these commercial ways which brings them to the level of selling a bar of soap..
mike
On February 5, 2009 at 8:02 am
religious people, gurus, preachers, evangelists and teachers make stacks of cash selling ideas that connot be substantiated. look at deepak chopra, jimmy swaggart, creflo dollar, et al who have become rich because people will believe any old nonsense and part with their hard earned cash to get more. perhaps people ought to be less gullible and more discerning…