From broad claims to more specific ideas

As my blog has taken more of a form, and I've researched and chosen memes. I realized that my study has been become about a more specific section of Catholicism: sin, confession, and how this affects the practicers faith. Because many religions believe in sin, or something like it, I'm interested in how Catholicism specifically deals with it, how it comes across in memes, and what that means about the religions views. What is the difference between devout believers and the causal mass-goer.

This week, I'll be diving deeper into the Catholic community, their beliefs, how it is represented in memes.

This meme is a take on Spongebob Squarepants. The idea within the Catholic community is that in response to the difficulties of life, there is one source of strength: the Lord. Its the belief that you can only do so much and the Lord has to do the rest because they are not capable. This is just a funny and recognizable way to express such belief.

I'm a pretty big nerd, and when I found a Lord of the Rings meme, I got so excited!
This meme is a spin on the many, many meals hobbits eat and comparing it to the many, many traditions within the Catholic church. They have many steps that other branches of Christianity do not and many do not understand. These acts bond the community with common beliefs, experiences, and ideas. Other groups, organizations, and religions have similar bonding ideas, but the ones featured are specific to the Catholic faith.

In what ways do these message and representations match or conflict with the official beliefs/rituals/understanding of the religious community you are studying?
These match closely with the beliefs of the Catholic church. They may be presented in an amusing, and relatable way for those outside the faith, but they remain true nonetheless. This half of Christianity (vs. Protestantism) is more ritual based, making the second meme an accurate representation of just a few of the many acts they believe and partake in. The first meme being a more overarching view of the church.

How does the scholarly article you read this week substantiate your claims above?
Martín-Barbero makes many great points about the need for faith and this turn back to faith in a media based world. "In the midst of rapid cultural change, people look for foundations beyond human construction where they can anchor their personal and social identities" (Martín-Barbero, p. 104). The Catholic church is proving a refuge to those who feel lost and don't understand their need for something more than emptiness that the internet provides. By having a traditional, act heavy based faith, the Catholic church is attractive to bonding a community and providing a shared experience to those within.

What seems to be the popular assumptions or stereotypes about this religious group that are being promoted through your memes?  In what ways do you find this interesting and/or problematic?
This stereo-type portrayed is the fact that the Catholics have an act for everything, that outsiders just don't understand. Especially those on the Protestant side of the Christian faith, these traditions don't make sense and have the appearance of taking away from what the first meme suggests is most important, the Lord. I'd think those within the church would proud of their traditions and frustrated with others ignorance and mockery of them. Devout Catholics are going to view each act with the importance it is assigned, and when others can't see that value, it is frustrating.

Martín-Barbero, J. (1997). Mass media as a site of resacralization of contemporary cultures. Rethinking media, religion, and culture, 23, 102.