The latest attempt to bring the Catholic Church into the modern age (after admitting the earth revolves around the sun) is the big debut of Pope Benedict on YouTube -- his own online Vatican propaganda channel to reach out to the peeps. However, the ultimate reason for this is image control -- and the Vatican admits it.Pope Benedict XVI joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Friday by launching his own YouTube channel, the latest Vatican effort to reach out to the digital generation.Watch the thrilling introduction (embedding was disabled -- so much for making the Papal activities go viral). I put together a couple of screen shots....Benedict also warned that virtual socializing had its risks, saying "obsessive" online networking could isolate people from real social interaction and broaden the digital divide by further marginalizing people.
And in his message for the World Day of Communications, he urged producers of new media to ensure that the content respected human dignity and the "goodness and intimacy of human sexuality."
...Celli said the Vatican was launching the channel in part to have some control over the pontiff's image, which he said already was being used on sites respectful of the papacy and not.
"It's undeniable that certain images are already circulating," Celli said. While there is little the Vatican can do legally to shut down blasphemous or pornographic sites that use the papal or other Church images, he said it can at least control the content of what it puts up on its own channel.
Just what I wanted to wake up to at 4 a.m., an email from king of the Christianist nutjobs, Don Wildmon, announcing that AFA has arrived on Facebook:
I have joined Facebook. Please join me on Facebook and become a friend of AFA
....ed. note: how about I just crap down your throat, and we call it even?
January 23, 2009
Dear David,
Every day new technologies are emerging on the Internet. For several years now Internet "social networking" has been the preferred choice of many for keeping in touch with friends and family. From Yahoo! 360 to MySpace to Facebook, people of all ages are enjoying quick, easy, and inexpensive ways of communicating with others near and far. And best of all it's FREE!
I have joined Facebook. I hope you will join, too, and become a friend of AFA. Facebook allows users to send and receive emails, add comments, post photos and videos, share links, and join groups or causes. You can also learn about the people you meet or would like to meet. And you can network with like-minded people concerned about America's moral decline. Once signed up, you can invite your family and friends to visit or join your homepage. You can also search the entire Facebook site to see if relatives, friends, acquaintances, and classmates are already members. Facebook is informative, fun, and easy to use. There simply is no reason not to join!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8160796407
Vaishalee Raja, the Communications Director from Equality California, released a study in conjunction with the Equality Summit. The study reveals conversations with friends, family, and co-workers were the most important -- most influential -- in driving No On Prop 8 votes. The study, entitled "Proposition 8: Post Election California Voter Survey," was conducted by David Binder Research, and was commissioned by the Equality California Institute.
From the press release:
A new Proposition 8 study detailing voting patterns, factors influencing the vote an analysis of "No" and "Yes" campaign communications reveals that conversations with friends, family, and co-workers was the key factor influencing voters who opposed the constitutional amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples. On the other hand, a vast majority of the ban's supporters said nothing would have swayed them to vote against the ban. In addition, a portion of Prop. 8 supporters said they believed the measure was, in fact, unfair and wrong, however, they still voted for Prop. 8, motivated by the belief that it would preserve so-called "traditional marriage." According to the study, the most powerful message from the "Yes on 8" ads erroneously asserted that the failure to pass Prop. 8 would result in a the requirement for schools to teach about same-sex marriage."In order to create a climate where fundamental freedoms for all Californians are valued and protected, it's clear that we must continue to engage in open dialogue with loved ones, friends, and colleagues," said Jim Carroll, Managing Director of Equality California Institute.
After I return to San Diego, I'll scan in a copy of the media release, and look for a copy of the study to link to in this diary.
With regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people being visible, the study appears to clearly indicate that personal visibility of LGBT people is key to people changing their minds on how people vote on LGBT issues. I would extrapolate that using lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender terminology and imagery in media ads about marriage equality, or any other LGBT civil rights issue, is also key.
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