6/19/08
Whadda ya think?
A couple of folks asked if I'd seen the Dairy Queen Father's Day ad. Well, I watch very little TV so I hadn't caught this. Here's the YouTube edition: what do you think?
Thumbs up or thumbs down?
Clever or corny?
Respectful or ridiculous?
Demeaning or delightful?
How did it make you feel about being Catholic (if you're Catholic)?
How did it make you think about Catholics (if you're not Catholic)?
I have my own observations but would like to hear from some of you before I post them.
Whadda ya think?
-ConcordPastor
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I thought it was pretty cute. Not offensive in the least, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's an attempt at cute, I guess, but rather than considering buying a DQ cake, it made me think way back to "Bells of St. Mary's" (for you young ones, that's an old really old movie!). The ad isn't offensive but more inane. The "father" is depicted much as biological fathers are often depicted on tv and that is not a good thing. Besides, when's the last time you saw that many in-habit nuns? But the bottom line -- it's an ad so . . .
ReplyDeleteIt is not offensive and, if anything, a bit cute. The only thing that concerns me is that sisters are typically viewed by the media in their "old style". I realize that there are communities of cloistered nuns, however, there are many wonderful woman out there doing terrific things disguised in "civilian" clothes.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only cloistered nuns or "old style" ones who wear habits; some of the most vital newer orders (Sisters of Life, Missionaries of Charity, for example) are readily identifiable by their clothes.
ReplyDeleteI just thought it was pretty stupid! Not particularly offensive, just dumb. Couldn't they come up with something better?
ReplyDeleteI am a Catholic and I thought it was a cute ad. I imagine Father would have had a piece of the ice cream cake even if the Sisters hadn't been the ones who bought it for him!
ReplyDeleteIMHO: The ad is a collage of Catholic stereotypes and cliches: nuns in habits; LOTS of nuns hanging out with Father at "recreation" in the convent; nuns having ice cream (must be a special day!); Father feeling a need to defend "having his cake and eating it, too."
ReplyDeleteThis kind of clergy image annoys me. It puts "Father" in a tiny world and asks him to defend what appears to be some guilty pleasure.
Please!
Concord Pastor -- Exactly . . . and amen to that!
ReplyDeleteWow, I’m surprised that you’re so upset by this ad. What’s wrong with nuns in habits? If they were in more modern clothes, unrecognizable as nuns, that might be “scandalous”. There are 6 nuns in the ad and they’re just eating. They aren’t making eyes at the priest or hovering over him. They’re minding their own business. It just looks like they invited the priest over to have dinner with them. To show their appreciation, they bought him a father’s day cake. I don’t understand what you mean by “at recreation in the convent”. Everyone’s in full “clerical” garb. It all seems quite innocent to me. Is it a problem for a priest to have a meal with nuns? Nuns and priests don’t eat ice cream? I think it humanizes the nuns and the priest, hey they like ice cream too! Why so defensive? The only thing that bothered me was the closing line, “Do one this father’s day.”
ReplyDeleteMichael: There's absolutely nothing wrong with nuns in habits! I have no problem with nuns who wear habits - nor do I have a problem with nuns whose dress is more contemporary. I have a problem with Madison Avenue using women religious in habits for purposes unrelated to the charisms and poverty habits are meant to signify. And while it might be cute, that's exactly what's going on here.
ReplyDeleteI didn't use the word "scandalous" nor did I mean to suggest that anything scandalous is taking place in the ad. The term "at recreation" does have a particular meaning. In convents and seminaries it referred to a break (a half hour, an hour) when "recreation" consisted of conversation, board games, sewing, and maybe having a sweet treat - like cake. There's no double intendre in "recreation" as I used it, just a reference to a time and style of life that rarely obtains today.
Perhaps your comment actually gets me in closer striking distance of my annoyance with the ad: the thought that priests and nuns need to be "humanized" and that what it takes to "humanize" them is to see them eating ice cream - together. I find that image patronizing.
No, I see nothing scandalous or suggestive in this ad. My objection is to a portrayal of priests and religious as poor souls whose highlight of the week is an ice cream cake.
I'm with you, Concord Pastor. The ad plays on stereotypes and doesn't reflect US Roman Catholicism today as most live it. It also makes me sad because it reminds me of the cruel and unnecessary requirement of celibacy that Rome imposes on its clergy.
ReplyDeleteCelibacy is a gift and a fruitful way of life to those who are called to it, but there is no need for ordained people with active ministries to have it required of them. Why shouldn't "Father" be a father? No good reason that I know of! That refectory portrayed in the ad is so sterile -- no kids, the women veiled, the priest in clericals. Of course, without all those stereotypes, the ad would be meaningless. Could Madison Avenue exist without playing on stereotypes? Possibly, but they'd have to be much more creative, IMO.
The calling to be a priest is a gift. The intelligence to be a priest is a gift. The compassion, patience, and love of Jesus, is a gift.
ReplyDeleteBut celibacy??? Sorry, ... it's not normal. It's not a gift. It's a man-made rule, not God's gift or rule.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteCelebacy is a meeting of human will with divine grace to create a new, freer way of life. Christ says in the Gospel some are born eunuchs and some make themselves enuchs for love of God, anticipating the priesthood.