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| (Photo by Sam Smith) |
Is there something oh-so-inspiring about the sight of those golden arches stretching across the landscape from sea to shining sea?
In other words, has McDonald’s become the modern-day Church of America? Ian Crouch of the New Yorker
seems to think so.
In discussing McDonald’s “new minute-long commercial,” Crouch points out that it evokes “uplifting pathos” via a combination of patriotic and religious imagery.
On the patriotic side, the commercial includes blatant references to September 11th and
veterans. On the religious side, such signposted messages as “God gave us a Miracle” and “Pray for the Rescue of the Miners” couldn’t be more churchlike.
These images are accompanied by an angelic-sounding rendition of the 2012 hit song “Carry On.” Some of the
lyrics (“If you’re lost and alone, and you’re sinking like a stone, carry on…”) could easily blend into in any hymnal.
However, if America is to truly carry on some its best religious traditions, the corporate hijacking of tragic and sacred events would somehow need to be atoned for.
Resources
http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/the-church-of-mcdonald%E2%80%99s/ar-AA8vKGm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93KTpF9JDWo
Copyright February 11, 2015 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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