Far out... Here's @neilukip, UKIP member of the Welsh National Assembly using 'Deus Vult!' in one of his tweets about PJW/Sargon/Dank/Milo joining the party.
It may seem just fun memes on the surface, but this kind of stuff is a signifier. Here's why...
It may seem just fun memes on the surface, but this kind of stuff is a signifier. Here's why...
In late 1095, to both assist the Byzantines against the Turks *and* stop nobles across Europe from murdering each other, Pope Urban II called a crusade.
'Deus vult!' or 'Deus lo vult' - 'God Wills it' was the response from the crowds at Claremont, where the Pope was in council.
'Deus vult!' or 'Deus lo vult' - 'God Wills it' was the response from the crowds at Claremont, where the Pope was in council.
'Deus Vult!' was re-popularized by the Paradox Interactive strategy game, 'Crusader Kings II'. It popped up when you embarked on a crusade in game. It was also the name of a major DLC expansion. overhauling many game aspects.
Over time 'Deus Vult!' became a meme, along with images of Crusaders or Templars. You could find them all over the place...
Over time, however, the Alt Right co-opted the Crusader/Templar/Deus Vult meme and it became a vehicle for Islamophobia. You started to see stuff like this everywhere...
Alt-Right and Far Right groups away from the internet have latched on to the surge in popularity created by the meme. Check out the Knights Templar International, created by Jim Dowson - the bloke behind Britain First's fundraising...
The Knights Templar International use donations from suckers stupid enough to buy into their fake knightly order to fund Far Right extremist militias at the Hungarian border, 'hunting' migrants. thetimes.co.uk/article/far-ri…
So, really, 'Deus Vult!' has moved from a niche, nerdy historical reference to a dogwhistle for the Alt-Right. A means of normalizing and making acceptable the idea of perpetual war against 'Islam'.
Having a party with a significant media profile use it is a troubling sign.
Having a party with a significant media profile use it is a troubling sign.
Incidentally, shortly after Pope Urban II declared the first crusade, a 'people's crusade' jumped the gun and headed east. Along the way, they ransacked and pillaged. When they got to Worms and Mainz in the Rhineland, they massacred the Jews.
God willed it, apparently. FIN.
God willed it, apparently. FIN.
PS. ...and yeah, someone's absolutely told him to do this to piss off the SJWs, like yours truly, but it is also really laying out what direction things will also continue to take.
Like I said, the Edgy Boi Brigade will be using UKIP as their own personal loudspeaker.
Like I said, the Edgy Boi Brigade will be using UKIP as their own personal loudspeaker.
