What does it take to Ban All Religion?

The globalisation of religion has resulted in religion being a present topic in all forms of media around the world (Ayatollahy, 2008). This presence is due to religion being intwined with all other aspects of human life (Ayatollahy, 2008).

The Gruen Transfer is known for undertaking controversial stunts and discussing controversial topics. The following video is from a show broadcast in 2011 where advertising agencies were challenged to sell the concept of Banning All Religion:

Both advertisements use very different styles of persuasion however both address the intertwined aspects of human life that influence how religion is seen by society and confront the fundamental concerns that face all religious institutions:

1. How do we know that what we believe in is true?
2. How is religion the answer when it has been the cause of so many wars and violent acts?

I thought both of the advertisements were clever concepts that cleverly incorporated the impact religion has upon everyday aspects of human life, as discussed by Ayatollahy (2008). The first advertisement, Let's make all religion history, appealed to me the most, perhaps because it connected to the inner realist. There are so many questions that are often brushed away and left unanswered when it comes to religion, as we have no way of finding an anwer, and this advertisement plays on these insecurities.

I included this video on the blog because I think it highlights how religion is such a popular topic in the media yet also how religion is still regarded as untouchable by some people. It is interesting to see the ways in which the two advertising agencies view religion and the impact of religion upon society and what perspective the companies chose to 'sell' in the advertisement. It would be interesting to see how would this advertisement would effect consumers if it was authentic, leave your opinion below.

If you too would like to share your opinion on these two advertisments

enter your vote here on my online poll:

Ban All Religion: What convinced you?
	Let's make all religion history
	Let's lose religion and find each other
pollcode.com free polls

References

Ayatollahy, H. (2008). The role of media in the threats and opporutnities of Globalization for Religion. Journal of Media and Religion, 7(1). 34 - 44. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/15348420701838319




Video Source

Woklakadu. (2011, September 17). The Gruen Transfer - The Pitch: Ban All Religion [Video File]. Video posted to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhAKzYr4-wg

Is this real?

The representation of Indigenous people in the history of film making has been plagued by exploitation and inaccuracies all created to sell a movie and a novel idea of good vs evil (Davis, 2007). The emotions this treatment elicits from elders of Indigenous communities can best be described by the statement recorded by Davis (2007, p. 6): "They are using you!".

When practices are as entrenched as the treatment of Indigenous people in film it is often difficult to see how there could be any change. Indeed Davis (2007) recognises this, identifying that "questions of inequality, appropriation and ownership continue to recure even when protocols and guidelines are in place".

Indigenous elders do recognise the importance of film however to with another saying "the film will allow people from the community and around the world to know how our ancestors lived and to understand them" (Davis, 2007, p. 5).  This raises questions of how to maintain authenticity and context in an artform that is often known for its biased perspectives and silenced views.

One suggested solution is that white film-makers must be prepared to engage in cultural exchange in order to make films about Aboriginal people (Davis, 2007). We can see this process play out in Ten Canoes which is an Australian film focusing on Indigenous individuals that was created in cross-cultural collaboration (Davis, 2007).

Videos are access by a broad range of individuals from around the world. Providing accurate and authentic representations of Indigenous cultures, using a method that does not disturb the everyday practices of the community being filmed, is important to ensure the Indigenous traditions are upheld and the rest society is not manipulated with inaccurate representations of Indigenous people.


References

Davis, T. (2007). Remembering our ancestors: cross-cultural collaboration and the mediation of Aboriginal culture and history in Ten Canoes.  Studies in Australasian Cinema, 1(1). doi 10.1386/sac.1.1.5/1

Video Source

erikmartin. (2007, October 3). Ten Canoes - Trailer [Video file]. Video posted to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vzf9BAVGZc

The Right to be Racist?

Australians are fortunate enough to have, amongst many other wonderful priviledges, the freedom of speech. Australian's are able to voice their disagreement with the government, able to stand up and fight for the rights of women, children, babies, all human kind and able to follow and preach for whichever faith they choose.

Freedom of speech lets all Australian's have the opportunity to voice their beliefs about what is right and perhaps make a positive difference to the world. Yet, because Australian's have freedom of speech, people are also able to express their disgust at another person's life choices, express feeling of entitlement and hatred towards those who may be different from oneself.

I have quite often heard of 'villians' described solely by their religious affiliation, as if to say "keep away from THOSE people". An us and them approach that attempts to clearly seperate however in Australia, a multicultural country, Australians come in all shapes, sizes, colours and nationalities. This is the country that I live in and I feel priviledged to be a member of such a diverse society. 

Stepping back and thinking about it, freedom of speech is a powerful right that many other nations across the world are not afforded. Australians are lucky enough to have this right, yet it is so often abused. I urge you to think more carefully about the stereotypes you have formed, the interactions you engage in as well as perceptions you express about those who are 'other' to you because if you take a stand, others will follow.


Image Source

Audio Female Girl [Image]. 2009. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/audio-female-girl-karaoke-15936/