Here’s an example to get the discussion going. Jennifer O’Neill posed for this ad in 1972. The headline is a play on words, alluding to users of My Sin cologne being “Sinners.” If you look closely, Ms. O’Neill is nude under her velvet jacket. On her Web site, she states that about 14 or 15 years later, she was saved, and began her own evangelistic ministry mostly by writing books. How does this ad square with what she is doing these days? Is this type of ad off limits for an evangelical Protestant? Is there any reason why Ms. O’Neill should be embarrassed by this ad? Would this ad be likely to increase sales of My Sin cologne?

Welcome to Godvertising.wordpress.com. I invite you to become a part of a new dialogue, a new discussion that may lead to a better understanding of our unique American brand of observable manifestations of faith, discipleship, and piety—simply put, godvertising.

If you have ever seen a metallic fish decal affixed to the rear of a vehicle, a billboard exhorting attendance at church, a T-shirt sporting a special take on a verse or concept from the bible, a sign in front of a church proclaiming a humorous or inspirational message, a television commercial in which a large group of African-Americans breaks into a rousing, hand-clapping, gospel rendition of “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom” in celebration of Mazda’s latest Motor Trend award, or a print ad audaciously announcing the resurrection of a 25-year-old athletic shoe as the “Second Coming,” then you have witnessed godvertising in action. And in the process, perhaps, someone has “witnessed” to you.

Please submit examples of godvertising and/or comment on others’ uploads or comments. What offends you? How does godvertising work to evangelize? Does it put more people into pews—in churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques? Does the consumer product appropriation of religious imagery demean religious faith or does it reinforce it? Does the proliferation of religious imagery signify greater religiosity or not? How do religions compete with each other in their messages in ads, on billboards, on television, on the ‘Net, or on the radio? How are some denominations branding themselves? How do religious themes in our advertising media encroach upon the domain of civil religion or vice versa? What is the place of religion in politics? Where is it all leading?
Let’s hear from you on any aspect of this discussion. Suggest categories! Suggest ways to make this discussion better.