Holly, I personally think this is the best thing you’ve ever posted here, at least since I’ve been following you. I’ve loved every thing you’ve posted and so much of it has made me literally Laugh Out Loud, but this - this made me sit back and say, “Whoa!” On the surface the ad is great; maybe a few people will think about Jesus and what he wants us to be doing for “the least of these,” but you made me look deeper, at the hypocrisy. There’s so much more I could write, but I really have to ponder your words for a long while. Thank you.
I second that and thanks Bonnie for saying it so much better than I would have. Mainly because this made me bleep out a long line of expletives that I couldn't put in writing and that ad though nicely done, completely ruined Depeche Modes excellent tune. So thanks Bonnie and great work Holly.
I was catching up on some reading from the weekend I missed and just watched a video from Jemar Tisby on a talk/sermon he gave at Spark Church. I highly recommend watching it. But I just wanted to share a quote he read from Frederick Douglass because it threads in between the lines here. I know some are going to read that with whatever filters they read through, so maybe read closely.
"What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference--so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked.
I’ve been deconstructing for a few years now myself. I’m sure there are churches where people find comfort and the real Jesus—I found a fair amount of that myself during my church days. There were huge drawbacks to the patriarchal system that I didn’t realize I was a part of, like the belief that I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was happening at home because I shouldn’t make my husband look “bad.” It kept the kids and me in an abusive, controlling situation for too long.
And don’t get me started on the Purity culture— lol
We should not allow anyone to forget that they were trying to sell Jesus using a song QUITE LITERALLY about selling sex. It's sung in the voice of someone at a phone sex line, and the original video was quite definitely set in a Mexican-coded brothel.
Clearly, brought to you by the same people who thought a song about fellatio would make a good praise and worship tune.
From the song writer, “So what are his songs really about? Martin drops subtle hints. “I have a top ten list of topics,” he says, with a mischievous smile. “These include: relationships, domination, lust, love, good, evil, incest, sin, religion, immorality.” For example, last summer's hit “Personal Jesus” is based on Pricilla Presley's idolatry of her King in her book Elvis & Me.
“It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way. We play these god-like parts for people but no one is perfect, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?”
That may have been the inspiration, but "flesh and bone, by the telephone" and the Depeche Mode music video definitely drove home the sex aspect of it.
Given the pedophiliac nature of their relationship, whatever the interpretation, there are significant problems to it. And I'm just going to have to say Johnny Cash was wrong about interpreting it as a gospel tune.
His version of Hurt, of course, is now the standard.
From a UK music publication: “When putting together his final album of cover songs American IV, Johnny Cash singled out ‘Personal Jesus’ as one of the tunes he wanted to try, alongside songs by the Beatles and Nine Inch Nails. During an interview about his bizarre song choice, Cash brought the faith aspect of the song into question, saying: “I heard that as a gospel song. And if you think of it as a gospel song, it works really well. We didn’t have any major disagreement over that song, I just heard that a couple of people had recorded it, the writer wanted me to try it, and I did, and I loved it. And I went for it”.”
When they first started doing these ads, I hate to look hard to figure out who the sponsors were because the message (which is quite good) is so at odds with what this particular flavor of right-wing Christian typically advocates. I find it unsettling that I like the ads, yet if I went into the churches of those paying for them, I would almost certainly detest them.
This is the most brave and articulate sounding of the alarm that I have encountered yet!! I’m scouring sources to find the DEEPEST and most REAL source of the threat to our nation and here it is! I feel seen ✨and also, I am sharing this with everyone I love and care about :: Thank You 🙏
If Super Bowl ad Jesus wins, all of us who genuinely seek God will be acknowledged only as performative evils to be tolerated on the Christian Generosity Holidays of Easter and Christmas. The black, brown, LGBTQ+, disabled and women who buck patriarchy can only be pitied for their noncompliance, and in these ads, it's implied that pity is all we "least of" deserve. Pity on Easter and Christmas and damned to hell the rest of the year. Don't perform! Don't Conform! Do not obey. Yay, Holly.
I have been reading you for some time now Holly. I upgraded to paid after reading this. We need your unique insight, deep understanding & lived experience to be widely known.
Yup yup yup. Just had a brief exchange about this yesterday morning. “But those ads were so nice”. I had neither the time nor your eloquence but responded that I didn’t trust anyone who adheres to supersessionist Christianity. Not the best response but all that I had time for. I will remember DBB’s “bait and switch” comment.
Mode… performed by John Cash. The band is lost by heroine addiction. This particular song is not necessarily about doing good works. It is a dark German goth song that tells the story of loss of faith and replacement of deadly lifestyle. Lost by seeking of faith into the inky black hole that is this horror story. The needle replaces the dark hole of the seeker. With Kennedy who promoted its use to our youth combined with this momentous add may be could be coincidental.
Thank you so much for this. I will share my out lesbian Episcopal priest sister's response when I forwarded this to her:
"THANK YOU!!
I'm in Pittsburgh right now, about to meet with the folks who went on our Stone Catcher retreat over the weekend and are about to plan our scandalous Christian project in the public square. This piece offers so much excellent food for thought (and action). Also, I did not know Holly Berkley Fletcher and am really glad to substack-meet her! Truly, thanks."
Your work is so wonderful, and thoughtful, and meaningful. No matter how unkind, or ungenerous, or foolish, or judgmental, or bigoted you may be in certain moments, you always find a way to put those childish things aside to see more clearly through that dark mirror, and to show us ways to do the same.
Be well. Be true. Know that you are loved and beloved for the truths you tell.
Holly, I personally think this is the best thing you’ve ever posted here, at least since I’ve been following you. I’ve loved every thing you’ve posted and so much of it has made me literally Laugh Out Loud, but this - this made me sit back and say, “Whoa!” On the surface the ad is great; maybe a few people will think about Jesus and what he wants us to be doing for “the least of these,” but you made me look deeper, at the hypocrisy. There’s so much more I could write, but I really have to ponder your words for a long while. Thank you.
I second that and thanks Bonnie for saying it so much better than I would have. Mainly because this made me bleep out a long line of expletives that I couldn't put in writing and that ad though nicely done, completely ruined Depeche Modes excellent tune. So thanks Bonnie and great work Holly.
Yes, the insult to Depeche Mode should not go unaddressed :)
Thanks for that ear worm. I'll be singing that all night.
you're really slipping Hols.
Thank you, Lori.
You're most welcome, I do agree with you on this. Holly really nailed this and it's perfection. Thanks again for your wise thoughts.
I was catching up on some reading from the weekend I missed and just watched a video from Jemar Tisby on a talk/sermon he gave at Spark Church. I highly recommend watching it. But I just wanted to share a quote he read from Frederick Douglass because it threads in between the lines here. I know some are going to read that with whatever filters they read through, so maybe read closely.
"What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference--so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked.
~Frederick Douglass
FD was always 🔥
I’ve been deconstructing for a few years now myself. I’m sure there are churches where people find comfort and the real Jesus—I found a fair amount of that myself during my church days. There were huge drawbacks to the patriarchal system that I didn’t realize I was a part of, like the belief that I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was happening at home because I shouldn’t make my husband look “bad.” It kept the kids and me in an abusive, controlling situation for too long.
And don’t get me started on the Purity culture— lol
I'm so glad you are OK now.
We should not allow anyone to forget that they were trying to sell Jesus using a song QUITE LITERALLY about selling sex. It's sung in the voice of someone at a phone sex line, and the original video was quite definitely set in a Mexican-coded brothel.
Clearly, brought to you by the same people who thought a song about fellatio would make a good praise and worship tune.
What’s the praise song? I must know
Madonna's "Like a Prayer"
Seriously.
This is why sticking with the classics might be a good idea.
Um, excuse me, this is a PRAISE SONG now?! I’m glad I got out when I did.
Oh. wow. This is did not realize! Yikes
From the song writer, “So what are his songs really about? Martin drops subtle hints. “I have a top ten list of topics,” he says, with a mischievous smile. “These include: relationships, domination, lust, love, good, evil, incest, sin, religion, immorality.” For example, last summer's hit “Personal Jesus” is based on Pricilla Presley's idolatry of her King in her book Elvis & Me.
“It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way. We play these god-like parts for people but no one is perfect, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?”
https://www.spin.com/featured/depeche-mode-violator-cover-story-1990/
That may have been the inspiration, but "flesh and bone, by the telephone" and the Depeche Mode music video definitely drove home the sex aspect of it.
Given the pedophiliac nature of their relationship, whatever the interpretation, there are significant problems to it. And I'm just going to have to say Johnny Cash was wrong about interpreting it as a gospel tune.
His version of Hurt, of course, is now the standard.
From a UK music publication: “When putting together his final album of cover songs American IV, Johnny Cash singled out ‘Personal Jesus’ as one of the tunes he wanted to try, alongside songs by the Beatles and Nine Inch Nails. During an interview about his bizarre song choice, Cash brought the faith aspect of the song into question, saying: “I heard that as a gospel song. And if you think of it as a gospel song, it works really well. We didn’t have any major disagreement over that song, I just heard that a couple of people had recorded it, the writer wanted me to try it, and I did, and I loved it. And I went for it”.”
When they first started doing these ads, I hate to look hard to figure out who the sponsors were because the message (which is quite good) is so at odds with what this particular flavor of right-wing Christian typically advocates. I find it unsettling that I like the ads, yet if I went into the churches of those paying for them, I would almost certainly detest them.
This is the most brave and articulate sounding of the alarm that I have encountered yet!! I’m scouring sources to find the DEEPEST and most REAL source of the threat to our nation and here it is! I feel seen ✨and also, I am sharing this with everyone I love and care about :: Thank You 🙏
brilliant take my friend. brilliant
If Super Bowl ad Jesus wins, all of us who genuinely seek God will be acknowledged only as performative evils to be tolerated on the Christian Generosity Holidays of Easter and Christmas. The black, brown, LGBTQ+, disabled and women who buck patriarchy can only be pitied for their noncompliance, and in these ads, it's implied that pity is all we "least of" deserve. Pity on Easter and Christmas and damned to hell the rest of the year. Don't perform! Don't Conform! Do not obey. Yay, Holly.
This is a really key point. Yes pity is a convenient substitute for equality and respect. I definitely saw this play out.
I have been reading you for some time now Holly. I upgraded to paid after reading this. We need your unique insight, deep understanding & lived experience to be widely known.
I’m so touched. Thank you!
Thank you Holly for your insight in putting into words what I’ve grappled with after watching one of these ads the first time.
Holly, yes, all of this. It's crazy making stuff and we live in upside down world. Thank you for your helpful words.
Yup yup yup. Just had a brief exchange about this yesterday morning. “But those ads were so nice”. I had neither the time nor your eloquence but responded that I didn’t trust anyone who adheres to supersessionist Christianity. Not the best response but all that I had time for. I will remember DBB’s “bait and switch” comment.
Amen to all of this. Thank you.
So well said.
The lyrics of Depeche
Mode… performed by John Cash. The band is lost by heroine addiction. This particular song is not necessarily about doing good works. It is a dark German goth song that tells the story of loss of faith and replacement of deadly lifestyle. Lost by seeking of faith into the inky black hole that is this horror story. The needle replaces the dark hole of the seeker. With Kennedy who promoted its use to our youth combined with this momentous add may be could be coincidental.
Thank you so much for this. I will share my out lesbian Episcopal priest sister's response when I forwarded this to her:
"THANK YOU!!
I'm in Pittsburgh right now, about to meet with the folks who went on our Stone Catcher retreat over the weekend and are about to plan our scandalous Christian project in the public square. This piece offers so much excellent food for thought (and action). Also, I did not know Holly Berkley Fletcher and am really glad to substack-meet her! Truly, thanks."
Your work is so wonderful, and thoughtful, and meaningful. No matter how unkind, or ungenerous, or foolish, or judgmental, or bigoted you may be in certain moments, you always find a way to put those childish things aside to see more clearly through that dark mirror, and to show us ways to do the same.
Be well. Be true. Know that you are loved and beloved for the truths you tell.
You’re too kind and god bless your sister!