1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910300621603321

Autore

Bekkering Denis J

Titolo

American Televangelism and Participatory Cultures : Fans, Brands, and Play With Religious "Fakes" / / by Denis J. Bekkering

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2018

ISBN

3-030-00575-5

Edizione

[1st ed. 2018.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (233 pages)

Collana

Contemporary Religion and Popular Culture

Disciplina

269.260973

261.52

Soggetti

Religion and sociology

Motion pictures

Religion and Society

Sociology of Religion

Film/TV Industry

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di contenuto

1. Introduction -- 2. Robert Tilton, Ironic Fans, and Fake Religions -- 3. A Fan Club, a Fart Tape, and a Tabloid Scandal -- 4. From the Margins to the Mainstream: Recreational Christianity and a Viral Rebranding -- 5. Tammy Faye Bakker, Campy Fandom, and Ludicrous Tragedy -- 6. The Eyes of Tammy Faye and a Complicated Rebranding -- 7. Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

This book examines unintended participatory cultures and media surrounding the American televangelists Robert Tilton and Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner. It brings to light heavily ironic fan followings; print, audio, and video projects; public access television parodies; and other comedic participatory practices associated with these controversial preachers from the 1980s onwards. For Tilton’s ministry, some of these activities and artifacts would prove irksome and even threatening, particularly an analog video remix turned online viral sensation. In contrast, Bakker-Messner’s “campy” fans – gay men attracted to her “ludicrous tragedy” – would provide her unexpected opportunities for career rehabilitation. Denis J. Bekkering challenges “supply-side”



religious economy and branding approaches, suggestions of novelty in religion and “new” media studies, and the emphasis on sincere devotion in research on religion and fandom. He also highlights how everyday individuals have long participated in public negotiations of Christian authenticity through tongue-in-cheek play with purported religious “fakes.”.