Almost Religious in My Obsession
I first became enthralled by religious propaganda during my high school years, when attending a Pro Choice rally in Houston, TX. A woman walked carefully through the crowd, making eye contact with me from across the crowded demonstration area. When she reached me, she reached out to grab my hand, into which she thrust a photocopied (a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy, by the look of it) Love Letter From Jesus, saying, “This is for you.”
Of all the souls in dire need of saving on that day, she picked me out as special. “What a personal touch,” I thought, and I became fascinated with the whole world that surrounds these religious tracts, from conception and design, to printing and distribution methods.
Since that day, my collection has grown, piece by piece, as I’ve discovered new items, either directly handed to me or left on the ground.
So, for whatever reason, do you share my obsession for collecting religious tracts? Or perhaps you simply have a passing interest or curiosity in printed fear-mongering propaganda, similar to those who are fascinated by train wrecks? In either case, please feel free share your choice finds in the Flickr group I’ve set up. I’d love to hear people’s stories as well as see their photos.
Stefanie 12:19 pm on November 8, 2005 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Brian-
I have a peice of propoganda in my wallet that I got and kept just because I knew I’d see you this weekend. Remind me about it. Also, let me just say the way that I found your blog was exceedingly random.
Courts Carter 12:37 pm on November 13, 2005 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Just time-holed for 2 incredibly pleasant hours on these tracts on Flickr (best way to spend a Sunday morn) and people’s comments give me hope for humanity. So many folks able to see the funny.
I was raised with these things in our house — so I have a mix of weird nostalgia and revulsion (oh, and some obvious anger, sure) about them. The temerity evidenced in attempting to terrify (brainwash) kids with this load of hokum… sad, and annoying as it seems to work. On the other hand, they’re amazing capsules of compellingly bad art married with some fantastically whack prose and situations (the Satanist/lesbian/witch school teacher bent on converting her zombie-like class with the one “good” kid standing alone against her seems to be a favored plot line).
Anyway, thanks for getting this started! I suppose you’re also a fan of Dr.Bronner’s Hard Water Castile (perhaps the only writing nuttier than Chick’s amazingly disconnected-from-reality tracts), no?
Oh, glad you enjoyed my Spaghetti Monster tract. I know I went overboard on the coloring book pages, but the FSM tracts lead inexorably to bad activity book art.
Brian 3:05 pm on November 14, 2005 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Carter: thanks for stopping by and commenting, and I’m glad you like the Flickr group. Why not add your FSM tract to the group? I still don’t see it ther.–>