The Pageless Book

Photo by “SordidProphecy”

GodStillLovesUs.org is not your typical website. With it’s cryptic message, foreboding images, and viral-like advertising, most visitors aren’t quite sure what to expect from this website. The motif of a bio-hazard symbol next to the words “God Still Loves Us,” makes for a confusing symbol sparking conversation, controversy, and serious thought as to the nature of humanity.

As it turns out, there is an ulterior motive behind this website. Some of my readers may already know the purpose behind its message. Yet, I know if I divulge this information up front, those who are not “in the know” would be less likely to give deep thought to the meaning of this website and its meme.

The Structure of The Site

The initial page of this site is roughly divided into four areas. At the very top is displayed the original bio-hazard logo with five links - Witness, Testify, Evangelize, Redeem, and Forums. Just below this are four random pictures that has been submitted to the website and a brief YouTube video. You can click on any of the four images to see the complete image; notice that each image has “God Still Loves Us” located somewhere in the image. Beneath the pictures and the video are two columns; the left devoted to tragic news articles found elsewhere on the web, while the right column displays an abbreviated console for the forums.

The first place you should direct yourself to is the “Witness” link. There are eight pages worth of photos, each photo containing the logo shown at the top of the site. If you play the video after viewing all of the images that have been submitted, you’ll notice that the video just a compilation of these image. The “Testify” link allows you to sign up for the forums, while the “Evangelize” link provides a number of the different “God Still Loves Us” logos, as well as access to a Cafepress.com shop.

If you click on the “Redeem” link, you are connected to a page that promises a prize for one person who submits a photo. The official contest rules states that this needs to be a photo of the “God Still Loves Us” logo on a physical object. When I first saw this, I started to question the objectives of this GodStillLovesUs.org. As you delve further into this website, its true intention slowly becomes apparent…

You Will Think

I want to talk about the meaning behind the “God Still Loves Us” logo. To me, the purpose behind this online campaign revolves around this symbol and the discourse it sparks; any other hidden motives are secondary in my opinion. You may disagree, but before I divulge this motive I keep talking about, let me explain why.

This logo is something like a Rorschach Test. The symbol is just ambagious enough that the meaning you ascribe to it is influenced by your personal beliefs, while the subject of the symbol remains intact. Placing the bio-hazard symbol next to the words “God Still Loves Us” can imply several different things - for example:

• Self-destructive nature of humanity.
• The nature of our relationship with the Divine.
• Absence of the Divine.
• Absurdity of existence.
• The nature of suffering.
• Hope despite all odds.

How you respond to this symbol speaks volumes about your outlook on life and religion. I’m inclined to believe that the symbol is speaking about the self-destructive nature of humanity, and the sadness that invokes. It’s a fair indicator of what type of person I am and shows my concern for humanity as a whole. Someone who is more pessimistic might say this symbol is pointing out the absurdity of existence, while an absolute optimist would believe it means hope despite all odds.

This becomes even more interesting when you get a large number of people together to talk about the meaning they find within the logo. While they may ultimately disagree about the meaning behind the symbol, the site itself doesn’t offer anything to contradict or confirm a particular interpretation. The result is lively discussion regarding the state of the world, religion, and human existence. Discussion is what makes this website meaningful and the symbol serves as the subject. Even the photos are apart of the discussion.

I am Alpha and Omega.

GodStillLovesUs.org is a viral marketing site for I Am Legend, a screen adaptation of the book with the same name. When I realized this, my first reaction was disappointment; I was hoping that the truth would be more interesting. If you think about it, though, this site is a stroke of genius when it comes to marketing. The more I think about it, the less disappointed I become.

I Am Legend, starring Will Smith, is a remake of the movies The Last Man On Earth and The Omega Man - both of which were based upon the same book. The theme of the book has a number of different religious and philosophical overtones, which resonates strongly with the “God Still Loves Us” logo. As I am yet to see the movie, I think it would be better not to comment further on it. I will say that I am looking forward to watching it; the viral marketing campaign as done it’s job.

Click on one link below.

written by John \\ tags: Advertising, God, Humanity, Information, Movies, Religion, Reviews