My sample of memes fall into a couple of different categories, with the vast majority of them being stock character memes. This means that they feature a consistent image of a basic character and have religious-oriented elements added to give them religious relevance. I would classify the remaining memes in my sample as implicit religion memes. They are not directly representing the religion, but instead mocking the antithesis of what the religion of Islam believes. This is done in the form of presenting stereotypes and highlighting the foolishness of them. My memes are a little bit difficult to classify into one of the frames that we've discussed in class, but I think I would clarify them as memes promoting religion. I say this because while the memes are actually introducing stereotypes and negative things about Islam and Muslims, the sarcastic tone used is actually in an effort to bring to light the truth in the opposite of those negatives.
The religious issues that is being addressed in my sample of memes center around Islamophobic stereotypes. The issues are related to things like violence/peacefulness and hate/tolerance. Through sarcasm in the memes, the stereotypes that Muslims are violent and hateful are undermined while the idea that they are actually peaceful and tolerant is promoted and affirmed. An example from one of the memes in my sample from this week is when the meme opens with "I specialize in suicide," and ends with "hotlines for teenagers who have nowhere else to go." This, through sarcasm and an almost mocking tone, undermines the idea that Muslims are violent, hateful terrorists who perform suicide bombings, but promotes the idea that they are caring, peaceful and tolerant, doing things like volunteering at a suicide hotline center.
Religious authority could influence the way that someone would read memes from the sample that I've collected. For someone who believe that media and the internet has a negative effect on religious authority may see these memes as an issue. They might not think that a random person should take to the internet to attempt to defend the religion. On the other hand, someone who believes that the internet can be a useful tool and could have potentially positive effects on religious authority would probably have no issue with it. They would see it as just another way that positive ideas about Islam can be spread.
The religious issues that is being addressed in my sample of memes center around Islamophobic stereotypes. The issues are related to things like violence/peacefulness and hate/tolerance. Through sarcasm in the memes, the stereotypes that Muslims are violent and hateful are undermined while the idea that they are actually peaceful and tolerant is promoted and affirmed. An example from one of the memes in my sample from this week is when the meme opens with "I specialize in suicide," and ends with "hotlines for teenagers who have nowhere else to go." This, through sarcasm and an almost mocking tone, undermines the idea that Muslims are violent, hateful terrorists who perform suicide bombings, but promotes the idea that they are caring, peaceful and tolerant, doing things like volunteering at a suicide hotline center.
Religious authority could influence the way that someone would read memes from the sample that I've collected. For someone who believe that media and the internet has a negative effect on religious authority may see these memes as an issue. They might not think that a random person should take to the internet to attempt to defend the religion. On the other hand, someone who believes that the internet can be a useful tool and could have potentially positive effects on religious authority would probably have no issue with it. They would see it as just another way that positive ideas about Islam can be spread.
Interesting. For your paper you will need to more clearly unpack and describe this Muslim stock character/religious figure and how it is used in Meme culture. Remember illustrating your claims, like unpacking in detail a couple of memes that exemplify your argument, will be important for your final paper.
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