The 'Buddy Christ' meme originates from Kevin Smith's 1999 cult classic film, Dogma. Introduced by Cardinal Glick (played by George Carlin) as part of a campaign to make the Catholic Church more 'accessible' and 'uplifting,' the statue depicts Jesus smiling, winking, and giving a double thumbs up. In internet culture, the image has become a staple for expressing lighthearted approval, ironic validation, or general positivity. It strips away the traditional solemnity of religious iconography in favor of a 'cool guy' persona, making it a versatile tool for reaction images and wholesome encouragement across social media platforms like Reddit and X.