The Ultimatum of Conquest

Elizondo (2005) explored the idea that popular symbols and devotion can hold sway over the religious masses. Yet these symbols may be born in different ways. In detail, Elizondo examined oppression and the ultimatum that comes with conquest. Either accept the religion of the invading force, or lose everything anyway. The Virgin of Guadalupe was the popular symbol that was the first clear step of the transition of the indigenous people of Mexico to Christianity.  

Elizondo states that "If Our Lady of Guadalupe had not appeared, the collective struggles of the Mexican people to find meaning in their chaotic existence would have created her". Left without a choice (the ultimatum of conquest), the people will find a way to incorporate their own identities and heritage into the new religion. Thus by developing a popular symbol, those forced to convert have a way of accepting the inevitable.

In an emotive tirade, Elizondo explains that for the victors in conquest, history is rigid, written and cemented in the past. It is simply a record. But for the defeated, in this example, the indigenous people of Mexico, history is lived every day. The conquest and development of the popular symbol, Guadalupe, is thus ingrained into their identity.

Are popular symbols and devotion different now? In the present day we see popular representations of religion everywhere; from music to fashion to art. For example Linde Ivimey's If Pain Persists art collection includes the subcategory of Saints and Sinners. This is one such modern day representation of Christianity. Stories and characters are taken from the bible and represented in such ways that are completely open to interpretation. Is such a thing any less religious than a people accepting a manifestation of the Virgin Mary as a cause for conversion? Is such acceptance any less religious than creating a cross that would have been a popular symbol at the time of its conception? 

Popular devotion can maintain a religion or can reinvigorate it. It gives the common person an opportunity to integrate their own identity into their spirituality. 

References
Elizondo, V. 2005. The Virgin of Guadalupe as Cultural Icon. In C. H. Badaracco, Ed., Quoting God. How Media Shape Ideas about Religion and Culture, 201-208. Waco, TX: Baylor Unversity Press. RL.

Picture: http://pixabay.com/en/cross-jesus-wood-church-christ-77999/