Formulating My Research Question

This week for my analysis I decided to look at six more tweets from this past week from my three selected Christian Twitter accounts. First I am going to compare and contrast the messages represented in the three different accounts from these six examples. 

 The content of the three account's tweets have remained pretty consistent throughout my study thus far. Reverend Run continues to have uplifting tweets that are not always directly linked to Christianity or the Bible. Max Lucado remains inspirational through placing value the belief of Christ's ability for ultimately overcome your current struggle to meet your needs. Lastly, Hood Jesus continued to play on popular culture and current event references to tie in Christianity in their tweets. 

Common themes found throughout all three of the account's tweets is the idea of overall hope through Christ. All three accounts seem to portray Christ as all-knowing and the answer to any heartache one might be feeling. They all seem to be on the same page regarding Christianity and do not have any competing ideas. 

Religion through these three Twitter accounts is framed as a means to remain happy and in good spirits despite troubles in one's life. Faith in the general belief that Christ will prevail regardless of the struggles on the Earth is the theme of hope each of these Twitter users seem to be inspiring. 

After considering the data I have gathered thus far in my research I have been able to form (what I think will) be my research question for my case study.

Are the vital ideals of Christianity being diminished (regarded as less sacred) or strengthened (becoming pervasive throughout more of society) because of the tweets from evangelical leaders alongside parody accounts of deities through the popular social media website, Twitter?  

The key traits of lived religion lived out on Twitter through these few users is that all of their tweets are consistent thus far and have yet to promote contradictory messages. This will help me with my research in the future because it will help me predict future tweet trends. 

Christianity via Twitter

For this week's post I will look at three more examples of how religion is lived out online through the Twitter accounts of Max Lucado, Hood Jesus and Revered Run Wisdom. I gathered two tweets from each account that was posted on September 25th and then one tweet from each account from today, September 26th. 

The following are screenshots of the collected tweets: 

September 25th Tweets: 

September 26th Tweets: 

This week I really wanted to look at how each account personalizes their tweets to their target audience as well as how their tweets are a complete representation of themselves and their own beliefs. 


When analyzing my data for the week I wanted to think particularly about the following: 

1. How do the three accounts use Twitter and their tweets to portray their personal religious beliefs? Are they unique with their tweets? How do their tweets compare to each other as well as other Twitter users? 

Max Lucado, Hood Jesus and Reverend Run Wisdom all use their tweets in very similar fashions. Particularly, they tweet inspirational messages to promote a positive message. After reading through the three account's tweets I have come to realize that all of the tweets by Hood Jesus are Christian faith based and inspirational while sometimes tweets by Rev Run or Max Lucado are personal to their own lives and do not necessarily have anything to do with their faith. (Although the majority of their tweets are inspirational based). 

Hood Jesus is extremely unique with their tweets. The account has been notorious for taking references to popular culture and adding a Christian spin to their meaning. For example, the tweet from Hood Jesus which reads "Da only bandz dat should make her dance are dem weddin bandz!!" This is in direct reference to a popular rap song by Juicy J called "bandz." The song is referring to rubber bands around the rapper's stacks of money that he is using at a strip club. Hood Jesus is obviously referring to wedding rings in the tweet. Max Lucado and Rev Run often tweet Biblical verses- so they are less unique in comparison to Hood Jesus. 

Compared to each other Max Lucado and Rev Wisdom tweet in similar ways as I wrote before. They both tweet inspirational messages alongside personal thoughts. Hood Jesus, on the other hand, is an anonymous account dedicated completely to sharing Christian themed tweets to a predominately college based audience. 

2. How do the accounts use pictures, links, etc to effect the message of their Tweets? 

All three accounts tweet pictures and links. Often times the links that are posted connect readers to a website mentioned in the tweet, to a blog post or an area where longer than 140 characters are allowed to be typed. Pictures enhance the tweets of all three tweeters by just adding a visual to the message.

3. What is the main goal of each tweet being posted? What religious ideas are they promoting? 
Hood Jesus: "The only bandz that should make her dance are dem weddin bandz!!"

Refers to popular rap song-- promotes the Christian idea of the sanctity of marriage. 

Hood Jesus: "Love thy neighbor as u love dem Starbucks seasonal drinks"

Refers to one of the ten commandments "Love thy neighbor as thy self" and promotes the Christian idea of not idolizing the things of the world. 

Hood Jesus: "Christian dude needa be like 'Girl is dat a mirror in your Bible? Cuz you is reflectin the mirror of Christ!

Refers to a common value held by Christians of the importance to find a Godly spouse. 

Rev Run: "Daily Prayer: Lord please guide my feet into happiness, health, success &blessings Psalms 37:23 Lord order my steps pls" 

Refers directly to scripture. 

Rev Run: "Your faith is your fortune" 

Refers to the idea that salvation through Christ is the ultimate prize.

Rev Run: "Assume it's going to be GOOD and doubt the BAD"

Portrays a positive outlook on life and hard times which are parallel with Christian teachings. 

Max Lucado: "Going through hard times? Lean on God's people and share your prayer request on the #Youllgetthroughthis prayer wall. (link)" 

References the idea of power through prayer

Max Lucado: "God promises to render beauty out of "all things," not "each thing." The ultimate culmination is good. #youllgetthroughthis" 

Inspires readers to remain hopeful through hard times promoting the Christian idea that Christ ultimately offers all hope. 

Max Lucado: "Is God good when the outcome is not? #Youllgetthroughthis" 

Promotes the idea that God Is Good and ultimately so--- refers to God's omniscience


Overall, I have found that each account is really good about tailoring each of their tweets to their desired target audience. Hood Jesus attracts the college aged by referring to popular culture. Max Lucado offers helpful encouragement to those who are suffering (a slightly older crowd than that of Hood Jesus). Rev Run's audience falls in the middle of Hood Jesus and Max Lucado age wise. 

Hood Jesus vs. Max Lucado

            For my Religious Communication class we were asked to formulate a case study analyzing religion's role in new media. I wanted to do research over a medium that I use daily so of course I thought of Twitter. The following is my case study proposal: 

          Although often a taboo topic, religion has remained a consistent facet in life since the dawn of time. This is even found true in the modern technological era. Religion has transcended any previous restrictive barriers and is now predominantly displayed via the Internet through every social networking medium. Twitter is no exception. Both famous Protestant pastors as well as no-named parody accounts of Jesus Christ himself litter the web. The proposed case study will be an in-depth comparison of three Christian faith-based Twitter accounts. The first being the personal Twitter account of famous San Antonio based evangelical pastor and author Max Lucado. Max Lucado's account would be an example of official religion. The second is the anonymous Jesus Christ parody account known as “Hood Jesus” and the third is the personal twitter account of Reverend Run Wisdom. "Rev Run" is a former rapper from Run DMC turned inspirational tweeter. The case study will include a comparison of daily inspirational tweets, use the content of the two accounts to assess how religion is displayed over social media, compare follower’s responses to similar tweets via “favorite” and “retweet” tracking as well as attempt to better understand whether or not the prevalence of well-known religious heads alongside holy parody accounts and inspirational figures affects the perceived sacredness of religion.

            The comparison of the three Twitter accounts will prove interesting because they are all centered around Christian ideals, yet, they represent two polar ends of society. Max Lucado is prestigious, wealthy and educated while the anonymous Hood Jesus parody account pokes fun at society’s obsession with hip-hop music through the translation of Bible scripture into pop culture references and lyrics in each tweet. Rev Run Wisdom also represents pop culture through his previous rapping history, yet promotes a positive Christian message alongside rap culture. One account is straight laced and serious while the Hood Jesus account is a silly rendition of turning “rap life” into “real life.” Rev Run holds a middle ground; He is a prominent figure in society but still promotes the same popular culture which Hood Jesus resides. By comparing the three accounts the study will strive to answer the question of whether or not religion is losing its’ reverence by engaging in both comical, serious and popular outlooks of one’s beliefs over the same social media platform.