A few days ago, Godtube, the Christian Youtube site with a high level of censorship for family-friendly content, posted that they would be changing their name:
And now we know what it is! Godtube is now Tangle.com
I find it either (a) suspicious or (b) inspiring when Christian ministries remove God, Church, or Christ from their names. I agree with the decision behind the change as the CEO guy talks about “church is beyond the four walls” and such…that’s the sort of attitude we try to forment here at HX.
But I can’t help but wonder if this is a purely marketing decision to remove the religious terms from the name and thus expand the base for reach.
I guess my concern is the “gotchya!” approach of so many Christian ministries…they put up the secular front and then after the person gets interested or clicks the link…GOTCHYA, it’s a Christian thing! I’m not pointing fingers away from me: my mad props given to the Bible Illuminated is exactly this kind of “gotchya!” approach that I thought was effective. But there’s a difference between starting a ministry as subversive, and turning an in-your-face ministry into a “gotchya” one.
Thoughts?
Hmmmmm. This is curious to me. I tend to agree with you. Just based on what little exposure I’ve had with the site formerly known as GodTube I get the sense that it’s a “gotcha” marketing stunt to attract more viewers/traffic. I would even wonder if there might be some evangelistic reason underneath all that as well. Dunno….
Would one have the same concern if English as a second language were offered by a local church? What if that church used the class as a evangelism tool, possibly giving out copies of the New Testament in basic English with the plan of salvation highlighted for easy of reference? Again would one have any concern if a church offered a “fifth quarter” celebration for youth/college students, etc., a Mother’s Morning Out Program, Elder care, etc.?
One would hope and pray that the former GodTube now Tangle will prove to be yet another means of effectively sharing the gospel and ultimately drawing lost people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Eh, honestly I’m more likely to visit it now that they’ve changed their name. Its name, “Godtube” seemed more like an attempt to pull in a certain crowd like when plumbers put a jesus fish in their yellow pages ad. At least this way, I can feel more hip – like I’m stretching the divide between uncool Christian and super-cool secular. yeaaaahhh…thats it.
LOL @ united method. I actually joined today!
At a time when the world is invading the church, and churches are lowering the mark, I am not happy about the name change. I like sites that make a stronger stand, not a weaker one. Like OnlyBelieve.TV . As far as Coolness, it can become worldlinesss loving and that is a problem. As far as Tangle is concerned, From Broadcasting Him, to Find your Purpose, to Connect, Share, Grow. How much more humanistic gospel will be introduced? Remember Christianity is supposed to be Christ, not me centered.
The marketing message to the choir is strong right now, but these are marketers, and they do not want to lose their existing rank or audience, while the make this change. And when GodTube got its $15 million a few months ago, I told a friend, lets see what happens when the money guys pull the strings, and want a return. I guess we are seeing it now.
The name change actually doesn’t surprise me that much. GodTube’s original marketing was what I would expect a Simpsons parody of a religion-centered youtube to look like. And not even a parody from the GOOD years.
It looks like they’re re-branding away from viral video and pushing it more toward a social network with professionally provided videos.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, they have a bank of links that includes a virtual Bible that, while it only has three English translations, is pretty well done. There’s also a flash-heavy prayer wall. Not too sure that’s a good idea.
So far, I’m impressed. The important question is whether they’ll allow any variety in versions of Christianity or if they’ll only allow very Conservative Evangelicals to have a voice.