Jesus as Che (again) for UK Xmas ad campaign

[emad]

"Dec 25. The revolution begins."


SNIP:
.......Then on Tuesday, the Churches Advertising Network (CAN) launched its Christmas campaign. CAN has created Christmas and Easter advertising for churches since 1991, most famously with the controversial image of Jesus in the style of Che Guevara in 1999, with the caption, "Meek. Mild. As if."


Here again the church was consciously attempting an image makeover, for Christ himself this time. Not everyone liked the new look. The former Conservative MP Harry Greenway called it "grossly sacrilegious", and the Catholic Church in England and Wales pulled out of CAN, questioning the whole idea of putting God in the marketplace: "We haven't got a product to market."

It clearly had enough impact, however, for the 2005 campaign to resurrect the Che Guevara image, though this time, for Christmas, with the face of a small child. "Dec 25. The revolution begins."

Stephen Parkinson of the Anglican organisation Forward in Faith is not impressed. "I won't say it won't work - but I'm not holding my breath."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4244958.stm

[tjwmason]

1. I understand what the'yre trying to do

But I have to agree with Mr. Parkinson, in that I'm not holding my breath.

I think that most folk see things like this, and it's just the same as Priests wearing sandals, strumming guitars, and messy beards - it just looks too naff.

[ikri]

2. The problem I have with that image

is that whilst the Che Guevara image is instantly recognizable, using a similar image with a different face leaves the iconic image of Guevara largely devoid of meaning - there's little to link it to Che other than the colours used.

The image doesn't look much like a child if you look closely, it might as well be William Hague or IDS

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I though it was Matt Lucas

[replacement]

4. I think Parkinson says it very well--

"But the naffness of some of these adverts in the past has debased the church- and advertising. Because they've been crap."

[moggie]

5. Is Christianity inherently naff?

As an atheist, it seems to me that attempts by the church to appear hip and cool are invariably horribly naff. And aren't they missing the point, anyway? Religion isn't a pair of trainers or a new alcopop: it can't be sold on surface appearance.

[Taxloss]

7. Welcome to DU and UKDU, replacement!

Who did you replace? Anarcho-socialist?

[T_i_B]

8. Well last years Christmas ad campaign was OK IMHO

That was the one featuring angels manning a heavenly call centre.

That said there can be no denying that Christian advertising can be horribly naff. A good example was some of the promotional gumph for 24/7 Prayer, which is a great concept that can do a lot of spiritual good but doesn't benefit from "yoof" advertising gone badly wrong.

As to the "che" ads? Well I doubt that most people could give a monkey's toss but I won't mind if it gets up the nose of the far left at all.

[mr blur]

6. Harry Greenaway used to be my MP

He was grossly repulsive, so anything that would piss him off gets my vote.

Truth to tell, though, I couldn't care less about anyone's god, so they can do what they like with it.

Insult to Che Guevara, though, if you ask me.

[LeftishBrit]

9. I hate religious marketing...

And I hate the idea of associating Jesus or God with any particular political figure or party.

But I bet a lot of American righties will be shocked when it's Che, yet they don't think it's at all inappropriate when practically the same thing is done with Bush!

[Benbow]

10. That's hideous - derivative, loaded with lots of negative "baggage" -

and I speak as a practising Anglican (in the liberal tradition).