Religious Responses to Social Distancing Revealed through Memes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This article examines the emotive narratives surrounding the “new normal” of social distancing practices during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as revealed by religion-focused Internet memes. In March 2020, many people were introduced to the concept of “social distancing” for the first time via news reports and media coverage of the spreading COVID-19 pandemic which led to the first lockdown. As the year progressed, social distancing discourse was combined with discussion of the practices of masking and quarantining, all of which became part of many countries’ normal routines as a public health management strategy. Over time, social distancing has become a widely used public health strategy impacting many social groups, including religious adherents and their places of worship. Memes became a discursive space where practices of social distancing and religious attitudes towards these practices were expressed and debated. By examining memes centered on American Christianity, this study reveals that memetic narratives in the early months of the pandemic indicate a positive framing of behaviors intended to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and a negative framing of the attitudes of religious individuals and organizations who seem to privilege the cultural practices of their belief over the core values of the Christian faith.

#CovidEaster – Humour in the Digital Sharing of Easter Festive Material During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…'No, you're fucking not. '" Similar memes have already been studied within religious responses to social distancing (Campbell, Sheldon, 2021). One meme humorously, yet also advisably, warns about the deadly risk of infection: "Christ has risen!…”

The Metaverse, Religious Practice and Wellbeing: A Narrative Review

“…During the pandemic, however, online activity became the primary medium of engagement. 47 In many places, stringent infection control measures, such as social distancing protocols, brought the congregational religious practice into the online sphere. Despite pockets of public protest and resistance, information communication technologies enabled the continuity of congregational religious practices.…”

A Netnography Analysis of Thematic ­Hadith Memes Distribution on ­­ Social Media

“…However, currently, the memetic culture is consumed by religious believers. Their religious institutions also utilize it by creating memes in particular formats, such as a short movie to be distributed online (Campbell & Sheldon, 2021). Such short films may consist of religious preaching that mimics the style and the form of a popular culture meme.…”

“…It often does not explicitly list the identity of the author of the religious memes. Some research shows that posting photos generates more likes, and people will post repeatedly, making it more effective in spreading the message (Campbell & Sheldon, 2021). Religious institutions use this to their benefit by posting meme-image-based religious messages in the hope that they will spread effectively.…”