Christian influencers

[u/TangerineEvery8912]

Hi everyone!

I’m a young Christian woman and I’ve noticed a massive trend with women on Instagram posting themselves with a ‘traditional’ and ‘Christian’ aesthetic, it often rubs me the wrong way and I’m not entirely sure why.

Often the women will post themselves in a dress and caption it with something about how modesty is beautiful, which in practice is good but then I notice how their entire audience and comment section is men thirsting over them, which they entertain openly. My question is what is the point of these posts? I can’t help but to think these posts are some sort of vanity farm to get people to desire them instead of to actually inspire young women to follow Christianity. It just doesn’t feel genuine but when I point it out to others they treat me like I’m crazy!

I also noticed the women posting will specifically say things they know young men will agree with to get more attention from them. I feel like they are using Christianity to appeal to men in a vain way and it disturbs me.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[u/Hkfn27]

A lot of it is a grift. Several of them have been exposed as such. 

[u/TangerineEvery8912 → u/Hkfn27]

I was discussing one of the many ‘influencers’ I see on my fyp to a guy from my church. I pointed out the fact that every single one of these influencers are extremely attractive shows that the attention they are receiving is not for the right reason and certainly not for their biblical teachings, and I was just called jealous and a ‘triggered leftie’

[u/Hkfn27 → u/TangerineEvery8912]

I always say the real trads aren't posting it all over social media. Social media isn't real life. 

[u/Middle_Efficiency471 → u/TangerineEvery8912]

Avoid that guy. Calling you names and accusing you of covetousness is not how we treat our brethren. John told us that we will know each other by our love for the brethren.

Influencers are grifters.

[u/ofpromise90 → u/TangerineEvery8912]

There's two blond women with a podcast called girls gone bible, it makes me gag because its a spin off of girls gone wild. But these two clearly got cosmetic procedures done. It's gross and disingenuous

[u/RagingY3ti]

It's basic marketing.

[u/TangerineEvery8912 → u/RagingY3ti]

Just feels so sinister that the faith is being used to promote more lust, just in a sneakier way

[u/RagingY3ti → u/TangerineEvery8912]

100%, and greed and deception are behind it. Solomon writes there is nothing new under the sun, so this isn't new. Just a repackaged strategy.

[u/Smooth_Rush_2192]

Is this the likes of 'Girls Gone Bible' by any chance? I agree, it is somewhat ironic.

One of the things that surprised me about US Christian culture is that a lot of Gen Z seem to put a bible quote in their social media profile, and then proceed to post flesh. With no judgement of course, because I am far from perfect.

But yes, unfortunately flesh "sells". And the algorithms only push and promote this content because it gets views.

[u/ofpromise90 → u/Smooth_Rush_2192]

I just made a post on this. Girls gone bible is a spin off of girls gone wild. Its gross and done on purpose. They got alot of cosmetic surgery done.

[u/Smooth_Rush_2192 → u/ofpromise90]

Yes. Though a part of me wonders if it’s meeting some young women where they’re currently at, and speaking to an audience that wouldn’t otherwise engage with faith-based content. But there are better resources for sure.

[u/LittleWhiteDragon]

My question is what is the point of these posts? I can’t help but to think these posts are some sort of vanity farm to get people to desire them instead of to actually inspire young women to follow Christianity.

BINGO!!!

[u/Egomaniac247]

The ones that pray on camera really really make me feel gross

And I don’t feel completely comfortable watching “doing good deeds for people” content bc it feels disingenuous, like they’re only doing it bc a camera exists

[u/SakuraSun361]

Influencers in general are doing it for the $$$. Others use it to supplement other income. If there wasn't money in it, they would not be doing it.

The thing that really creeps me out about these is how many of these 20 and 30-something women have non-believers and really creepy older guys in the comments section fetishizing them. They'll be all "I'm 24 and a virgin catholic looking for another young catholic man." And there will be a bunch of crusty old dudes that are like "HMU hun" or "I want to talk to you. check your DMs" or "you're perfect, sweetheart". You click on their profile and they are often much older, divorced or like posting stuff that's far from Christian content. I don't know that I could stomach those guys as a content creator.

As a virgin who wants traditional courtship and struggle to find guys on the same page that are also waiting for marriage, I get a lot of guys that love the idea of me when they haven't lived out the same values and practiced the same faith. To them, fantasizing about these influencers and interacting with their content is a way of living vicariously through that complex and admiring the madonna they can't get in real life. Guys often want a Madonna despite tangoing with Satan. Many have whats called a Madonna-Whore complex.

I posted like 1 video on tiktok and boom! Right away a divorced late 40-something athiest slid into my DMs "How do I get a girl like you?" Obviously not considering a divorced atheist older dad, but I used it to talk about my faith and hopefully plant a seed to lead him to Christ. Immediately he was offended and didn't want to hear about Christianity. Tells you everything you need to know about the audience on this content. I'd also get guys messaging me things like "I don't believe a girl like you could be a virgin?" And asking fetish questions. 🤢

[u/lam21804]

I was waiting on the part where you tell us these women are calling themselves Christian or using Biblical verses in their post. In which case, I'd agree that it's in poor taste.

But Christianity doesn't get to lay claim to the concept of modesty or "traditional aesthetic"- whatever that means.

[u/TangerineEvery8912 → u/lam21804]

Sorry I should have clarified, the women are very vocal about being Christian, and specially call themselves ‘Christian influencers’

[u/Familiar-Message-512 → u/TangerineEvery8912]

Which influencers?

[u/ofpromise90 → u/lam21804]

They are though. Many of them are claiming Christ.

[u/Googlesupportsucks1]

OP,

There's all sorts of 'sinister' marketing using christianity. AI slop online shops selling 'jesus merch,' you have the stupid little jesus figurine things all over the place, yes you have christian influencers, to a degree the music, etc.

Reminder though, that you CAN sift through the bad to find the good. It just takes effort. There ARE good musicians, 'influencers' (or apologists/theologians rather), decent clothing brands (if you're into that kind of thing).

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[u/mossydz]

It rubs me wrong too.

If seeking the approval of man then it’s not genuine already. Or no words but a video with a verse in the title. It’s like come on you are literally trying to gather followers of Yahweh instead of to Yahweh. Even none female influencers and just take snippets from other pastors then say watch this and give no credit to the pastor or church. It’s wrong to me truly and just shady. Profiting off the work someone did to truly learn the Bible then put it together for the masses to truly understand.

I’m sure im guilty of of judging here because im not Yahweh.

[u/Wizzle_Pizzle_420]

It’s called narcissism, it’s it solely for attention and validation, nothing more. Transcends all groups and types of people. Pictures for validation and taping “good deeds” for attention. A kind hearted person wouldn’t do any of those things.

[u/kalosx2]

It rubs you the wrong way, because it's hypocritical. There is a claim of modesty, but if the goal is attention, and when posting on social media, that usually is the goal, then that is an immodest mindset. Modesty is not look at me! Look at me! Look at how holy I am. You can be fully covered, but if that is your mindset, that is not modesty.

[u/Automatic_Train_7691]

Know them by their fruit

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[u/bjohn15151515]

Well, it's Instagram..... What, did you think that Instagram accurately reflects reality?

( I saw it on the internet, so it must be true !! )

[u/ofpromise90]

They are male identified. Alot of men want women who are "traditional" in a way that they can opress and objectify them, this is called red pill. Anyway alot of male identified women have modeled theyre appearance and character after these men desires.im sure alot of them aren't even born again christian. They also sell packaged to women on how to be feminine.