Polarization and Depolarization in Religion Online: Hagiographic Memes Between Proselytism, Satire and Play

After a brief introduction to the textual and ideological vitality of hagiography—from its origins to the digital era—as well as the semiotics of Internet memes, this chapter analyzes memes that depict or reference Catholic saints. Drawing on examples from Italian and international websites and social media, it explores how these memes express a spectrum of attitudes, ranging from genuine proselytism to satire or, more broadly and ambiguously, playful appropriation. Proselytism through memes, in turn, can take various forms, from humorous to aggressive, passive-aggressive or euphemistic, serving both to amplify online discourse and to normalize highly polarizing issues. Finally, the chapter argues that Internet memes can be understood as a reformulation of the very mechanisms underlying vernacular religious iconography.