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The Problem with Christians Doing the 'Harlem Shake'
Regardless of what the ramifications are for this particular song, Christians—whose faith relies on the context of its own teachings and symbols—generally need to take interest in where cultural phenomena come from and what they mean.
The same impulse that has us thoughtlessly clicking and sharing viral videos trains us to disconnect the thing in front of us with the story behind it. Our lives as Christians are all about the story of the Gospel, and we don't want our traditions distanced from that story…by us or anyone else.
The commodification of religious beliefs is nothing new. Just think of how long people have been wearing cross necklaces without believing in the man who died on the cross or quoting Bible verses without having read the chapter of the Bible they came from. Church leaders have long warned against this "picking and choosing" from our traditions.
The rapid pace and widespread reach of the Internet makes it easier than ever for us to settle for "abstraction and shallow engagement." This isn't just happening with the "Harlem Shake." Nearly every online sensation soon spurs Christian versions, from a remake of Rebecca Black's "Friday" called "Sunday" to Liberty University's Christmas carol rendition of the bed intruder song. Eager to be "in the world but not of the world," to show that they don't take ourselves too seriously, Christian groups gladly play along.
Posting a parody or taking part in a meme often brings that thing into the Christian world instead of forcing participants to examine what's going on in broader culture. We consider pageviews, retweets, and mentions as engagement, though all can be done without recognizing the original context of an idea. In fact, when something's gone viral, it's often impossible to even find its source and context.
I don't think the answer is for us to power down our iPhones and roll our eyes when someone sends us "the next 'Gangnum Style.'" Nor do we need to overanalyze every mindless meme that comes up. As Christians, our approach—as with many things—should be balanced and thoughtful.
Before sharing the latest thing everybody's tweeting about, Google where it came from and consider how it got from there to everywhere. There may not be life lessons tucked into SNL Digital Shorts or LOLcat photos, but it's worth asking: What do people love about this? What makes them want to click? What does its popularity say about our society at this time?
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Elizabeth Austin
Kate, Your article, although rife with references almost reverberates with familiarity from the '70's folk services and modern music. Yikes! are we conforming way too much? Are we not separate enough? How then shall we live? (F. Shaffer). Theologically speaking, to me, it reflects a boring faith or Christian life as compared to how unexpectedly alive Christianity can be. Also, this phenom and reviewing the varied submissions has opened a fun opportunity for conversation and comic relief between my teen and I. Should we be cautious, yes, but should we condemn full on-not me. Like the wise scribes stated, trends come and go, if it is of God, it will last. I listen to rock, do the Harlem shake, and am confident of my salvation and testimony. We can agree to disagree on this one. THANKYOU for a stimulating commentary. Liz Austin
Kristi Sullivan
I wonder if the comments saying their is nothing wrong with Christians engaging in this song, actually read the article. The author specifically states that one of the lyrics are "'Con los terroristas!' (With the terrorists!)" . I think Christians should stay away but even Americans in general. Thank you for the article!
Jeremiah Parker
I agree that we should be thinking about what we are doing and why. I came to the conclusion that the Harlem Shake doesn't belong in church. I think many Christians (even those who are making these videos) would agree if they took the time to pause and reflect. http://jeremiahparker.blogspot.com/2013/03/whats-wrong-with-harlem-shake-in -church.html
Erica Lamb
@Susie Jones - for what it's worth, I think the video that you saw with the pentagram on the floor was the cast of Supernatural (a TV show on the CW network) and that was one of their sets. I'm not sure that makes a difference with respect to your point, I just wanted to add a footnote that that particular video wasn't just a group of kids making light of something. With respect to the topic at hand, I don't think the Harlem Shake is anything to get hung up on. I think it has as much significance and cultural longevity as seeing how many college kids can fit into a phone booth.
Shirley Fontaine
Speaking of culture, how is it that we embrace for centuries the pagan rituals of Christmas and Easter, yet condemn the passing fads? Putting a Christian spin on these memes is small potatoes compared to copying a pagan ritual of celebrating a ruler's birthday, on a pagan festival day, and holding it sacred in the church. It sounds like we're a bit hypocritical, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong; I love, love, love the Christmas holiday season with it's traditions and decorations and joyous message of the nativity. I know that stuff has all been added over the years, layer by layer, with the intention of making pagan traditions "holy." I am just as hypocritical as the next Christian. I'm just saying, there are bigger issues of cultural copying we need to recognize and address for what it truly is.
Christofer Tamulevich
I don't know if you allow links - but our Bible Study group was actually moved to do our own version of the Harlem Shake - but its NOTHING like the other versions out there. As a result, our video has been under attack for the last two days as God haters have been sharing it through their networks and making it a target - any Christians out there who want to help us fend off the attacks with love are welcomed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1lAbXFwK9U
susie jones
We all are under different levels of knowledge. As the Bible tells us, for lack of knowledge God's people parish. I saw one of this videos that is trading today, several kids are given their opinion on it several are very honest about how they think this dance is ridiculous. I noticed very clearly on one of the videos a pentagram drawing on the floor where people were dancing. We are to be holy so my opinion is that we as Christians, we don't have any business dancing this pagan dances. I can go on and on but is not my job to be pleasing to God for you. I can only do it for my self. We're to be responsible for our own actions. Wish you all the best in learning what is pleasing to our father God. Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit to be your counselor. READ YOUR BIBLE Have a beautiful, blessed day!
Brittany bennett
I think it's sad how bent out of shape people are getting based off her commentary. If you don't agree, then simply don't take it personally. However, I don't feel like she's being "judgmental" at all. What she's saying is that we can be so blind sometimes, like the world, by doing whatever we see "trending" in our society, without putting any real thought into why we're actually doing it (besides "having fun"). That can be extremely dangerous if you don't even know the origins behind the trends we find ourselves following. I, myself have done the same thing, as most of us, without seeing any real problem with things, or thinking they are simply harmless. But we'd be truly silly not to think that sometimes there are consequences to being blindly led by the world, and by not "waking up" and thinking for ourselves (with God's spiritual guidance). The message I think she's trying to send out is to simply think before we act or "follow" yet another trend. Living blindly saves no one.
Adam Denevic
I find all of the comments here very interesting. Most comments deal with calling the author judgmental - but isn't that statement alone judgmental. I think the gist of what the author was getting at is that contemporary evangelicalism is desperately trying to be "relevant" and imitate the world. As I read down the comments I can almost hear the "clicking" in the background of people looking up "harlem shake" to see if it is bad. Isn't that the problem the author is getting at? We as Christians have much freedom in Christ. There is nothing "inherently sinful" with the harlem shake - but did anyone bother to make sure that was true before doing it? The author was using a simple example to make a much larger point - most Christians have absolutely no confidence that what we engage in is sinful or not - we simply hope it is okay. Good thing the secular world doesn't try to trap Christians...oh wait...
CINDI KIRBY
It seems to me that if the author thought the meme was wrong she would not have included links to three of the videos. You who pass judgement, do you do the same things?
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