Blog 2:
Republican Jesus
The theme of the group of memes called "Republican Jesus" focus more closely on the belief systems of the conservative Evangelical Christians that are also Republicans. Conservative Christians' religiously identify with Jesus and his teachings; most republicans claim this is a "Christian nation." However, a key part to being a Christian is the belief in Jesus Christ and believers striving to live their lives the way he did. In the memes below, we see how contradictory these Republican conservative Evangelical Christian's view really are in contrast with their policy. They are supportive of Jesus' views in their religion but critical of his teachings when it comes to key political talking points.
Based on the memes below, one could conclude that Republican conservative Evangelical Christians reimagine and reinterpret Jesus' teaching to believe that Jesus wants them to stand on their own feet and take care of themselves. Republican Jesus does not believe in helping the sick or feeding the poor, and that these things actually just enable them further. This is an example of religious political discourse from "God Talk in the Public Sphere," because conservatives are reimagine and reinterpret Jesus' teaching into something new.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558907779242/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558907779267/
http://www.quickmeme.com/Republican-Jesus/page/2/
"Republican Jesus" memes always feature Jesus, usually with a gun or some firearms, reversing course on his prior position. In the meme above, we see "Republican Jesus guarding 'america
from the liberals." In this, one could conclude that Republican conservative Evangelical Christians do not believe that Liberals comply with the views and teaching of Christianity. "The Liberals are the problem with america," this is the general view being shown. In contrast, the meme below critique conservative Evangelical Christians views on Liberals. The meme concludes that they values that Jesus stands for and taught are actually more closely related with liberal views i.e. Socialism, than with Republican.
http://www.quickmeme.com/Republican-Jesus/page/2/
According to Christopher M. Derringer in his article, "Who Would Jesus Bomb? The Republican Jesus Meme and the Fracturing of Ideology," he argues that, "Republican Jesus" offers a critique of contemporary conservatism that creates "perspective by incongruity" and, thereby, creates a space for ideological struggle." Perspective by incongruity is described by associating stimuli with symbols and to group symbols together into larger associational groups, and that these associations help us make sense of past experiences. In the case of "Republican Jesus" association with Jesus with contemporary conservative talking points works to reveal the hypocrisy of traditional and commonly unchallenged connections between "Christianity, capitalism, social conservatives, neoliberalism, and neoconservatism." In counterposing contemporary conservative politics with the figure that many conservatives hold in highest regard, Republican Jesus opens a space of dissension, suggesting that what the "real" Jesus Christ might do, and what a true Christian might also be obligated to do, is to be an anti-war protestor, a liberal or, God forbid, a socialist.
