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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why it's ok for these celebs to ridicule Catholicism

134 replies

biscuitraider · 10/05/2018 13:48

people.com/style/met-gala-2018-critics-call-catholic-theme-blasphemous/
I'm certain that if it was any other religion there'd be uproar.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 10/05/2018 13:50

Apparently the Pope gave approval?

I don’t get it either though. I am not Catholic but found it very distasteful

araiwa · 10/05/2018 13:51

Anyone can ridicule catholicism. Its really easy- its ridiculous

As are all the others

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 10/05/2018 13:51

er.... I dont think they are ridiculing Catholicism or at least not intentionally.
Im Catholic and I understand that its more than a faith its also cultural and has a very interesting aesthetic. That aesthetic is free to anyone to explore and/or be inspired by. Its not the belief that is being examined here but the 'look' so I do not really understand the offence tbh?

Filzma · 10/05/2018 13:53

I'm not a Christian but found this extremely disturbing. So what if he pope gave approval?! This can't be an excuse to mock religion.
Very demonic affair btw. In plain sight too.

PickAChew · 10/05/2018 13:53

So you've never watched Father Ted, then?

Borris · 10/05/2018 13:54

I agree. If it was Jewish themed or Islam styled then there would be uproar

BaldricksTrousers · 10/05/2018 13:54

Catholicism and art have always gone together. You can appreciate and appropriate art on a religious theme like you can any other artwork.

Think of the plethora of religions of indigenous people the Catholic church has supressed, quashed, and destroyed, over time. With that under their belts, I think they can handle Rihanna wearing a pope hat.

Zucker · 10/05/2018 13:54

No ridicule involved.

Church garments borrowed from the Vatican

araiwa · 10/05/2018 13:55

It was put on by the church!!

Jarod leto really did go for the jesus look!!

A4710Rider · 10/05/2018 13:56

I agree it was very demonic. Gives the conspiracy theorists more to get their teeth into I guess.

LegallyBrunet · 10/05/2018 13:58

Am a bit of a lapsed Catholic- only really attend at Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas and there’s a lot I disagree with- and thought it was very distasteful. If it had been any other religion there would have been an uproar

BMW6 · 10/05/2018 13:58

Demonic??????

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 10/05/2018 13:58

You’re being melodramatic. Have you ever been to an art gallery? Catholic imagery weaves from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again over and over. Don’t be annoyed with them because you chose such a over the top religion.

MightyMucks · 10/05/2018 13:59

As others have said, it had the approval of the Pope.

I thought it was quite well done and the costumes were mainly well researched and had interesting historical aspects.

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 10/05/2018 14:03

Borris there have been fashion collections based on the aesthetics of Islam and Judaism just as there is plenty of art inspired by these faiths too. They are not just 'faiths' they are also culture. People can be Jewish and yet not part of the religion for example..... we acknowledge that... we acknowledge there is more to these faiths than just the belief system. And so they are routinely explored in fashion, art and film... not always in ridicule or criticism but often in an exploration of their cultural effect on people.
Its not necessarily insulting.
Catholicism has had a big effect on culture: art, literature, music, fashion and its interesting to explore that.

Im Catholic and most of my family are and they all just found it interesting... and perhaps more so than someone who wasnt Catholic because some of the outfits were quite subtle in what they referenced. Granted Rhiannas was a bit ott but I dont consider it an insult just a lack of imagination.

IAmMatty · 10/05/2018 14:03

Anyone can ridicule anything they like. Having a faith (what I think of as believing in a fictional character) doesn't, and definitely shouldn't, mean you're immune to criticism/poking fun/commentary.

Trinity66 · 10/05/2018 14:04

After what that shower of arseholes did to my country I couldn't give a shit tbqh

NotACleverName · 10/05/2018 14:04

The Vatican approved it so...

blueskyinmarch · 10/05/2018 14:05

Catholicism and art have gone hand in hand forever. Rome is just one massive artistic homage to the Catholic Church.

I loved the theme and I would have gone as the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa.

Original poster
biscuitraider · 10/05/2018 14:07

I actually agree about the "demonic" remarks. More and more stars like Madonna, Rihanna, Britney etc seem to have a demonic theme in their acts. I'm amazed that the pope gave his blessing to be honest.

OP posts:
wiltingfast · 10/05/2018 14:08

This was a social outing tho? Not art.

Have to say I found it a bit bizarre. Looked like a giant dressing up party.

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 10/05/2018 14:09

I think its far more insulting to Catholicism to call its wealth of imagery 'demonic'

teaandtoast · 10/05/2018 14:10

Can anyone explain the 'demonic' thing? Not getting it.

NotACleverName · 10/05/2018 14:10

That’s essentially what the Met Gala is, wilting.

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 10/05/2018 14:12

I think the people who organise the met gala and the fashion designers do think it is 'art' though. Its in an art gallery to raise funds for that gallery....
So whatever you personally think of it I do not think that the organisers or attendees believe themselves to be ridiculing anything. I think they feel it is a serious artistic exploration of whatever theme is chosen through fashion design.