when Catholics take over the Internet to laugh and share their faith
On the Internet, you can’t escape memes. To… what? A meme is a communication format born with digital technology and extremely popular on social networks. Most often, it appears as an image – or a short video extract – linked to current events and popular culture, taken up and twisted using a commentary in order to produce a comic effect. Since their appearance in 1996, memes have been having a blast on social media. Because this is where the primary purpose of these 2.0 creations is expressed: to make us smile and encourage us to share them with those around us.
In the game of memes, Catholics are not left out. In 2020, two groups of young believers and scouts distinguished themselves during… the Coupe de France du meme. That year, Kevin, now 28, created his own Instagram page dedicated to Christian memes. “I created them from time to time during my studies at Sciences Po,” says this professor. Some referred to Christianity. But I started posting them regularly on my “memechrétien”* Instagram page from the summer of 2021. » His creative routine: divert a video, often connected to current events, and place it in a context linked to the Christian faith or how Christians are perceived. One of his most recent publications consists of a video of a car being driven at full speed on the causeway submerged by the tide, with the subtext: “The Egyptian army pursuing Moses. »
Three years later, “memechrétien”, Kevin’s page, has 65,000 subscribers, and this enthusiast is not an isolated case. In the realm of memes, these bring together groups of amateurs, the neurchis (verlan bargain hunters), according to a theme (film Cleopatra Mission geography, life of caregivers or peasant reality… everything lends itself to memes). Managed by Éloi and his friends, the “Neurchi de memes cathos” is dedicated to Catholics of all sensibilities and all ages. “Our group is aimed more at young people, but we are seeing a gradual aging of the public, particularly on Facebook,” says this 33-year-old executive. After six years of existence, 17,000 people, mainly aged 25 to 40, have joined it. Charismatic movement, sanctuary of Fatima, modification of the anamnesis or small quirks of the faithful, everything goes… as long as the humor remains consensual.
Tease without hurting
Because the difficulties in understanding and accepting each other as different also undermine the terrain of memes. As a result, several community groups coexist. The most traditionalists have their own “Neurchi de memes cathos tradis” on Facebook. This interaction allows you to tease others without risking hurting anyone and to ensure that everyone shares the right codes to decipher the jokes. “The faithful are looking for digital content around their faith,” comments Amédée, 26 years old. There is therefore a supply and a demand which meet and lead to the creation of this type of space. » All aficionados of these diversions agree that it reinforces the feeling of belonging to a community of values. Because these images represent a way like any other to evoke common references or to perceive current events.
“It’s one more format for doing “internet catechism”,” continues Amédée. Presenting a more connected face helps attract curious people to religion. Especially since these communities do not just exchange virtual “likes”. They organize meetings or practice mutual aid beyond the screen. The Facebook discussion space of the “Neurchi de memes cathos tradis” can thus be transformed into a place to get a place on the Chartres pilgrimage. For his part, Kevin organizes regular meetings between his subscribers around a picnic or a drink. “As a content creator, I must encourage encounters, going beyond the virtual,” explains this very invested young man. Like other “memers”, this great creative person claims the proselytizing aspect of his hobby. He also takes the opportunity to challenge his subscribers. With 600 of them, he has committed to opening the Bible every day of the year 2024.
Reading the comments on these Facebook and Instagram pages, not everyone can relate. Diverting the passion of Christ or teasing the charismatic movement will make some laugh and others jump. The various groups each have their own policy on this subject: “We bring together all Catholic sensibilities and are careful not to offend anyone, but despite all the precautions, avoiding conflict is proving difficult,” summarizes Éloi. We saw it this summer with the Olympic Games ceremony: Catholics sometimes experience themselves as a besieged citadel and struggle to demonstrate self-deprecation. » The “Cathos Meme Neurchi” has therefore decided to moderate those which could be perceived as divisive. A form of self-censorship, he regrets, which slows down creativity and limits humor to political correctness. Éloi therefore reserves his most daring jokes for his Instagram account. There is no question for him, nor for Kevin, of falling into blasphemy: “I try not to make fun of God,” confides the second. If I include it in a meme, which rarely happens, I try to do it wisely as much as possible. » And to quote the book of Ecclesiastes: “There is a time to cry and a time to laugh. »
*Instagram account different from “meschretiens” from which the thumbnails illustrating this article come.
