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Preacher leads anti-shopping church in war on consumerism
rawstory.com — "We're proceeding into the shopping season under an enormous misunderstanding. We think we are consumers at Christmas time," shouted the flamboyant Rev. Billy Talen of the Church of Stop Shopping. "No, we are being consumed!"
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- pv2k, on 12/07/2007, -4/+28Amen!
- musicbear, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2Aye, Amen. Christmas is now officially a holiday shopping ritual where people sacrifice tons of money they don't have for unnecessary gifts in obligation to people they may not actually like. If you are a Christian and you are standing out front of a Best Buy at 1 AM waiting to purchase a non limited edition electronic gadget that will be obsoleted a year later by the "new" edition so that your child will think you are "worthy" to parent him, you REALLY need to think about what you believe and just who you are making a sacrifice to here. I don't think giving your money to a mega corporation in Japan is really the best use of your money or the best way to teach your children about charity and your Christian faith.
The best thing you can do at Christmas? Is observe your religious rituals at the place of your choice with your family and leave it at that. You can buy gifts to tell someone "I love you" or "thank you" ON ANY DAY OF THE YEAR... FOR NO REASON... Use people's birthdays for gift giving... you'll probably have more time to find something more special for that person... you'll spread out the money you'll be spending through out the year... you can make more careful decisions about buying locally made product or contributing to local charities instead of sending money to over seas mega corporations or giving a LAME gift card because you are running around so hard at Christmas time you can't take the time to pick a better gift.
So yes. Stop the madness. Stop buying gifts at Christmas. Celebrate your religion at that time of year and give I love you / thank you gifts through out the year.
- musicbear, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2Aye, Amen. Christmas is now officially a holiday shopping ritual where people sacrifice tons of money they don't have for unnecessary gifts in obligation to people they may not actually like. If you are a Christian and you are standing out front of a Best Buy at 1 AM waiting to purchase a non limited edition electronic gadget that will be obsoleted a year later by the "new" edition so that your child will think you are "worthy" to parent him, you REALLY need to think about what you believe and just who you are making a sacrifice to here. I don't think giving your money to a mega corporation in Japan is really the best use of your money or the best way to teach your children about charity and your Christian faith.
- Jimmyb207, on 12/07/2007, -5/+52I'm Not religious. not by any stretch of the imagination. But it's becoming painfully obvious that Christmas has become all about buying, spending and making sure your kids have bigger, better and more expensive gifts than the neighbors kids. Now Christmas is about making ourselves and family feel good through material means. The gifts were supposed to be small symbolic gesture of Christ's birthday. Now it seems, selfishness, greed and consumerism that would be obscene in many other countries has sadly replaced honoring the message of peace that Christ brought to the world.
Teach your children the difference between needing and wanting. That all the toys, four wheelers, snow mobiles, sony play stations, big screen tv's, wiis, and all and anything those tv commercials that try to make you feel that you won't be happy unless you have one of "these", you don't need it! Family, friends, good times and striving to make the world a better place is what it's all about.- natedouglas, on 12/07/2007, -0/+5It's only a matter of time until they create another Sweetest Day -- except instead of Valentine's Day, it'll replicate Christmas. Maybe they'll turn Independence Day into a big shopping and gift-giving day. "Celebrate our independence this year by spending too much on your children as a substitute for the time that you spend working to buy them nice toys!"
- whatthefu, on 12/07/2007, -7/+3Hello excuse me while I give you parenting advice over the Internet.
- ruddy, on 12/07/2007, -2/+3its obvious you aren't religious by any means. if you construct your superficial views of Christianity based upon your impression through the media, then yes, i can see your point. not to say that Christians don't fall into materialistic desires, everyone does, Christians don't *honestly* believe thats what Christmas is all about. you would think that christians are all money grubbing whores based on commercials you see, but thats mostly to be blamed on advertisers being PC with not mentioning christ in christmas. Its not like commercials are going to say, God Bless, Have a great christmas/praise the lord. You're most likely going to see something more along the lines of "have a good holiday, buy our *****".
- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1I couldn't have said it better.
Also, I like to buy my own *****. You don't know what I like.
- destinyland, on 12/07/2007, -2/+7Reverend Billy also complains about "the ambient presence of logos, the simulated sex-life while walking through a canyon of supermodels, the nano-science that leaves smart people well-paid because they reported on the neuro-switch in our brains that makes not buying impossible, the impulse inevitable!"
http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2007/10/15/reverend-bi ...- Bamont, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1Yes, this guy is well rooted.
- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -1/+2Wow. I just read part of that interview. I don't have the attention span to read the whole thing, but damn that guy is smart, and spot on.
- thebaron2, on 12/07/2007, -21/+15So don't spend your hard earned money on material goods, brethren!
In the meantime, though, we'll be passing baskets through the aisles - give all that you can for God is poor and the lease on my Lexus is almost up...- Timbertron3000, on 12/07/2007, -1/+12Buried because this guy ISN'T asking for money. Make the crack about some other tool claiming to be a prophet for profit...
- thebaron2, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1It was a joke - relax guy.
- Tweekster, on 12/07/2007, -1/+10some churches just want to make rent, i know it shocking, but many just have enough donations to keep going, to provide for their members.
megachurches are not the standard - shep72685, on 12/07/2007, -1/+9Yes, I'm a minister and I can certainly say I don't drive a Lexus ;-)
Nor would I want to :-D - Arramol, on 12/07/2007, -0/+5I still remember the chapel speech at my Christian university where the speaker said he didn't want Hummers even being driven into his church parking lot. Yes, there are some absolute scum bags who will use religion as a way to exploit people and get rich. There are also a lot of others who would rather use it to motivate people toward greater compassion and generosity. Unfortunately, since they (for obvious reason) aren't as flashy and showy, they don't catch as much media attention.
- wooFmeoWoinK, on 12/07/2007, -2/+0he's not actually a preacher, he's an activist that uses that image of himself as a character, to get his point across. the first time i met him he was yelling "can somebody give me a sexaluah" or however that is spelled
- JohnFromChicago, on 12/07/2007, -0/+3Cheap shot! It seems most people agree that Christmas has become commercialized and is losing it's meaning. There are not enough stories about how people should enjoy family and faith .. not go shopping like zombies. I say corporate retail could use a shockingly bad year anyway. Buy your gifts at local merchants!
- Timbertron3000, on 12/07/2007, -1/+12Buried because this guy ISN'T asking for money. Make the crack about some other tool claiming to be a prophet for profit...
- pedrovoltaire, on 12/07/2007, -19/+2trust a preacher to ruin Christmas. ass...
- captinherb, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2You do realize he's not a real preacher right?
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1If you believe what society calls Christmas to be a good time of year then you are very fooled. The only good part anymore for secular people is food and family. For Christians we get to know that our Lord and savior was born and we get to celebrate that with joy and in keeping the tradition of that memory alive in being with family's and such. Frankincense and Mir sure turned into a massive capitalistic nightmare.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -2/+0>For Christians we get to know that our Lord and savior was born and we get to celebrate that with joy and in keeping the tradition of that memory alive in being with family's and such.
You celebrate a woman giving birth to a child that she did not voluntarily get pregnant with? Supernatural sex?
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -2/+0>For Christians we get to know that our Lord and savior was born and we get to celebrate that with joy and in keeping the tradition of that memory alive in being with family's and such.
- Napoleone, on 12/07/2007, -10/+8I'm not a fan of staunch socialism for many reasons, which I'll outline at some other time; and certainly not one of communism, which would have us all playing the part of bees. But capitalism is not all it's cracked up to be either. It's an economic system dependent on the failure, or the very limited economic success, of the vast majority of its participants.
Consider this... To succeed in a capitalist society you must do two things: Save & Invest. Now, if even a small majority of participants were to actually follow those two rules, the capitalist economy they live under would become non-functional. Because capitalism also depends on people SPENDING. Why do you think it is we're told to spend, spend, spend, instead of save, save, save? It's for that very reason.
Simply put, broad success is a burden capitalism cannot withstand.- lotsa1s, on 12/07/2007, -2/+2Capitalism, or at the very most, moderate socialism, is essential to a free society, however much it sucks.
- natedouglas, on 12/07/2007, -1/+8I would disagree slightly.
Tight control over an economy can only be maintained through laws -- that sounds obvious, of course, but what we're both arguing against is government control, not so much a particular economic idea. Anarcho-communism is not repulsive to me, nor is anarcho-socialism, because the prefix "anarcho-" explicitly refers to a lack of coercion. If there is no coercion, then whatever economic system a consenting group of individuals chooses to take up is fine with me, and presumably they will improve, retain, or discard that system based on its abilities to provide for their basic well-being.
As it currently stands, I don't believe any society is free. Can you (legally) move to Wyoming, build a cabin in the woods, and grow your own food? No, because you must pay property taxes, school taxes, and so forth. If you make enough money to pay those taxes, you probably have to pay income tax and state taxes. To do that, you must be one of the fortunate with a sustained infusion of cash directly to your checking account. Most of the rest of us must sell our labor in order to accomplish the steady influx of cash needed just to sustain our freedom from legal prosecution, even provided the otherwise ideal situation just presented. That means living relatively close to your work, with higher property taxes, building codes, income taxes, and less potential for self-sustainability.
Similarly, a free market economy can exist in a truly terrible, repressive country. One example of that is Chile under Pinochet, the "miracle" according to Milton Friedman. Freedom to consume as you choose does not imply, say, freedom of the press, or freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, or even freedom from having the Army and Navy randomly decide to set up camp in your living room and ***** your daughter. It is a powerful freedom, I agree, but it does not guarantee a free society by any means. Not in the US, not Canada, not Iceland or Belgium or Somalia.
The only thing essential to a free society is the recognition of individual liberty and appropriately powerful restrictions on government power, mob power, corporate power, military power, and the powers of any other group of people that make their living by absorbing some of yours. Capitalism is a leaky boat; communism is a beautiful boat that can't be paddled; and damn near every other solution that's been presented has led to famine, mass murder, or Hello Kitty fetishism -- and often all three simultaneously.
The only guarantor of a free society is a society determined to be free.- Napoleone, on 12/07/2007, -0/+5"The only guarantor of a free society is a society determined to be free."
Great quote. Very solid arguments, too.
- Napoleone, on 12/07/2007, -0/+5"The only guarantor of a free society is a society determined to be free."
- HunkOfLove, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2only people have willpower. nations don't.
- natedouglas, on 12/07/2007, -1/+8I would disagree slightly.
- GuacamoleSan, on 12/07/2007, -5/+5Either you have socialism, or no government (anarchy), there is no in between. It has been proven that anarchy is not as "chaotic" as it seems.
- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -1/+3I like your comment, but what society proved this?
- solid12345, on 12/07/2007, -1/+2Sudan and Somalia are great examples of functioning anarchy!
- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -1/+3I like your comment, but what society proved this?
- lotsa1s, on 12/07/2007, -2/+2Capitalism, or at the very most, moderate socialism, is essential to a free society, however much it sucks.
- joshuaer, on 12/07/2007, -10/+15Finally religion is being used for something other then spreading hate and fear!
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -1/+8We don't all hate and spread fear. The bible isn't all brimstone and fire. It teaches of kindness and helping others. Most people that say they are Christian are fire and brimstone or all flowers and happiness. A well balanced Christian will speak kindly but tell the hard truth as well. Strife is nothing that God wishes to spread. Christians are humans as we all our. We are just persecuted by all others that are persecuted in secular society. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and know the true gift of existence and the opportunity to live with your everlasting Father after this difficult journey of life is over.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -3/+1>The bible isn't all brimstone and fire. It teaches of kindness and helping others
And to stone your enemies, rape their women, etc etc. - Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -3/+1Sorry, I forgot to provide citations.. here you go:
"So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. The plunder remaining from the spoils that the fighting men had taken totaled 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 young girls." Numbers 31:25-35
"Lo, a day shall come for the Lord when the spoils shall be divided in your midst. And I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle: the city shall be taken, houses plundered, women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be removed from the city." Zechariah 14:1-2
"They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman." 2 Chronicles 15:12-13
"Cursed be he who does the Lords work remissly, cursed he who holds back his sword from blood." Jeremiah 48:10 - xptoast, on 12/08/2007, -0/+1I thank those who have dugg up my comment in light that it was a Christian comment among so many non believers.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -3/+1>The bible isn't all brimstone and fire. It teaches of kindness and helping others
- Bamont, on 12/07/2007, -3/+2Let's see.. Impending sense of doom: His efforts to halt what he and his followers call the "shopocalypse" have been chronicled in a new documentary, 'What Would Jesus Buy?'.. *check*
Using God to separate the "us" from the "them's": In the film, Talen is shown being kicked out of a Starbucks, performing an exorcism at Wal-Mart headquarters, and getting arrested in front of a Disney store. *check*
Yeah, no spreading hate and fear here.- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -2/+2You should read the interview with him posted above. Specifically the last bit of this passage:
"I do respect, though, the people who resist consumption in a more thorough way than I do. We need that end of the spectrum — the rigorously maintained compost heap in Vermont, the freegans and their dumpster raids in the cities. I regard such people highly, and where would we be without them?
On the other hand — human suffering from fundamentalism as such, from Mao to L. Ron Hubbard to the Atkins diet to the Khmer Rouge — let's face it, an unbending law is probably wrong. We proceed then, laughing and singing."
- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -2/+2You should read the interview with him posted above. Specifically the last bit of this passage:
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -1/+8We don't all hate and spread fear. The bible isn't all brimstone and fire. It teaches of kindness and helping others. Most people that say they are Christian are fire and brimstone or all flowers and happiness. A well balanced Christian will speak kindly but tell the hard truth as well. Strife is nothing that God wishes to spread. Christians are humans as we all our. We are just persecuted by all others that are persecuted in secular society. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and know the true gift of existence and the opportunity to live with your everlasting Father after this difficult journey of life is over.
- DiggCommando, on 12/07/2007, -2/+6This guy is great to watch in person. I had the opportunity to see him in action and if anything he is a really good performance artist. Listening to his message would do a lot of people well too.
- eyefone, on 12/07/2007, -2/+20Jesus would buy new sandals, a pair of jeans with the American flag on it, and some Gatorade.
- TremorX, on 12/07/2007, -1/+13No, Jesus would turn water into Gatorade, because it's got Electrolytes (they're what messiahs crave)
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2Maybe some sandals for His followers as I would assume His sandals never wear since He is miraculous. Jeans are not as comfy me thinks as what they wore back then.
- rmeddy, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2WWJB.
- Scottamus, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1I'm thinking he freeballed it. Now there's a man to follow.
- jmpeagle, on 12/07/2007, -5/+5Christmas is about giving, what's wrong with spending money to give to others?
- Tweekster, on 12/07/2007, -1/+4you are spending money on people who dont need what you are giving them, then they are giving you something of similar value, something you dont need. that isnt all that bad, but there are many people who have genuine NEEDS, a new dvd player is not one of them. giving is good, giving to people that need it, is better
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -1/+5Fearing that if you dont spend a massive ammount of money that they will feel like you dont care about them. This is similar to being a slave to someone in hopes they will love you in return.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -2/+0Kind of like loving a supernatural deity and hoping the deity loves you in return?
- xptoast, on 12/08/2007, -0/+1No.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -2/+0Kind of like loving a supernatural deity and hoping the deity loves you in return?
- OttawaMarcin, on 12/07/2007, -1/+3People are placing their emotions in the hands of people giving them a gift.
- jmpeagle, on 12/07/2007, -3/+3maybe people ENJOY giving others presents...
- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1That's where you're wrong. Who told you it's about giving? Ahh, you see what I did there - a light bulb just went off in your head!
- Hetman, on 12/07/2007, -2/+9it matters what you mean by giving others. Christmas is about giving to the poor and the helpless. Giving your cousin a wii is not giving. And that is what is wrong with Christmas. That is consumerism. If Christmas is about giving you give to who really needs it. And Jesus would not buy anything. Damn have these people even picked up a bible?
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1I assume not. Are you a fellow Christian? I would like to add as many fellow digg.com Christians to my friends list.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -0/+3Absolutely right, Christmas is about paying to God, not to others, you are to give your money to him. Have you not heard the word?
""You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe," says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:8-11- xptoast, on 12/08/2007, -0/+1I applaud you and thank you for speaking up for God as a good example. May God bless your life.
- smacksaw, on 12/07/2007, -1/+4I saw this on Nightline - it looks very funny. Morgan Spurlock is a genius and I give him mad props for self-financing this guy's movie. It reminds me a bit of the independent film festival from South Park where they say "Even if the movie is only seen one time etc"...the fact this will be in a theatre somewhere and someone is going to get to see this in a real theatre atmosphere is awesome. I'm jealous. We aren't getting that here in BFE.
- GoatRoper, on 12/07/2007, -9/+0Jesus would send a penny to Ron Pauls campaign just to ***** with him at Christmas, then endorse Huckabee with a nice, solid reach around. Christmas is the time of giving.
- Tweekster, on 12/07/2007, -1/+0can i buy some pot from you
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -7/+3>The gifts were supposed to be small symbolic gesture of Christ's birthday.
No, they were an appeasement so the new supernatural god-head would not annihilate them with his powers. The gifts were a form of subserviance and expression of non-dominance. They weren't out to gesture his birthday, they were buying protection from the new ruler.
When a new mafia moves into town, this time with supernatural harbingers, what do you do? Beg with gifts.- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -3/+4I am sad for you. God loves you anyway. Have a wonderful Christmas. I hope your family doesn't buy you presents in hopes that you wont hate them the rest of the year.
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -4/+0And Thor loves you too. Thor hopes that you have many good battles in the coming year. I would like to hear your explanation of what the offerings were, I haven't heard you say anything about those, which is the topic of the thread.
- thotpoizn, on 12/08/2007, -0/+3You sir, are a troll and a jackass. The troll part is fairly obvious, the jackass part I just threw in there to be festive. :)
- xptoast, on 12/08/2007, -0/+2Thank you sir.
- thotpoizn, on 12/08/2007, -0/+3You sir, are a troll and a jackass. The troll part is fairly obvious, the jackass part I just threw in there to be festive. :)
- Stroggoth, on 12/07/2007, -4/+0And Thor loves you too. Thor hopes that you have many good battles in the coming year. I would like to hear your explanation of what the offerings were, I haven't heard you say anything about those, which is the topic of the thread.
- xptoast, on 12/07/2007, -3/+4I am sad for you. God loves you anyway. Have a wonderful Christmas. I hope your family doesn't buy you presents in hopes that you wont hate them the rest of the year.
- ABadPerson, on 12/07/2007, -3/+8War on Consumerism!?
I sure hope it doesn't involve randomly shooting people in a crowded mall.- FIREMILLEN, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2well played sir, well played.
- Syujinkou, on 12/07/2007, -6/+1It seems someone has lost his Snowflake Day spirit...
- bolshoibooze, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1I was lucky enough for this to be playing in my area and had to see it for a course that I am taking.
The movie is interesting although a bit socialistic in the way that they portray the corporation as the enemy to everything, but it is always good to get an objective view on an issue.
I was somewhat disappointed as it wasn't exactly what I was expecting it to be which was a movie which Spurlock explains about how we've lost the meaning of Christmas, primarily the celebration of the birth of Christ and spending time with our families to worshiping the corporate-constructed Santa and the "new meaning of Christmas" (give, give, give, spend, spend, spend).
However, I did like the angle that they took which was to follow the "Church of Stop Shopping" choir and Rev. Billy across the country as they infiltrate the malls, parking lots and stores of America and then the grand-daddy's of them all (I won't spoil it).
Anyway, an interesting movie and I'd highly recommend it if it is playing in your area or renting it when it comes out on DVD.- briancarnell, on 12/07/2007, -3/+0In other words, the film is just as stupid as "Super Size Me."
So on the one hand we're all pissed that the religious right is trying to create some pseudo-theocracy, but on the other hand we want people to turn back to irrational systems of religious worship.
Jeremiads against abortion -- right wing theocracy. Jeremiads against shopping -- w00t, religion FTW.
- briancarnell, on 12/07/2007, -3/+0In other words, the film is just as stupid as "Super Size Me."
- Fluxions, on 12/07/2007, -7/+0capitalism is America's economic system, shopping creates revenue and in turn creates jobs.
Basically spending your money on crap is the American way! embrace it!!!- blacklouis, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1yeah... it creates jobs in china
- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -0/+3Let's come out with an invisible, weightless, odorless, tasteless product called 'Useless Nothing'. Then, we'll employ tens of thousands of people to make it and market it. Then, we'll convince millions of people to buy it. It'll be good for the economy.
- TheMidnight, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1Your digg comment is good for the economy?
- madroneDorf, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2bottled water is already being sold
- blast_flame, on 12/07/2007, -0/+2No americas economic system is not capitalism. It is a mixture of socialism and mercantilism.
- OttawaMarcin, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1If he promises I don't have to buy anyone gifts this season, I'll join his church.
- cbegin, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1Or you could make a donation in someone's name...I know not all charities have good reputations but some sites let you choose... This one lets you donate to any charity you want and send a card if you like: http://www.changingthepresent.org/ And you can check the legitimacy and efficiency of the charity you donate to here: http://www.charitynavigator.org/
- briancarnell, on 12/07/2007, -7/+1Christmas is all about consumerism....thank god.
It's like a disease..when people aren't complaining about how religious folks are self-righteous individuals who want to impose their morality on others, they're off bitching that these same folks are too busy being consumers to be self-righteous moralists. WTF?
That's the beauty of capitalism ... its neutered the obnoxious Christmas holiday (which the Xians borrowed from the pagans in the first place, but that's another story) and turned it into one grand humanist celebration of life. Yay, capitalism.- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -1/+2No. It's a massive waste season that would be more fun without all the useless ***** exchanging.
- briancarnell, on 12/07/2007, -1/+0No, it's a wonderful celebration of life that goes back to ancient times. Just like the religious fundamentalists, the liberal fundamentalists can't seem to stand human beings pursuing their own happiness and ends.
- appetite, on 12/07/2007, -1/+2No. It's a massive waste season that would be more fun without all the useless ***** exchanging.
- Freedm4AllRnone, on 12/07/2007, -2/+2How can one demand spiritual, social and political freedom, while at the same time, allow and even advocate limits on economic freedom? When these guys get together and rail against theft via government and how the concentration of economic power in America is located in three geographical areas then I'll be impressed. Until then, people like this are just haters, moral cowards and control freaks who think they know how to spend your money better than you do.
- Todamont, on 12/07/2007, -2/+1LOL Xians are funny! That guy looks like he's on crack. He should stop passing out collection plates at his church if he hates money so much...
- vtlaser, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1Rev. Billy came to speak at my school (Sarah Lawrence College) earlier this semester. The guy (and his wife, who is his manager) comes off as an ultra-obnoxious and paranoid anti-establishment goon. I'm a liberal guy, don't get me wrong, but his post-production Q&A session revealed some tinfoil hat-worthy positions.
- CrimsonBlur, on 12/07/2007, -1/+3Oh give me a break guys. People like giving and getting gifts for Christmas and all sorts of other holidays. Rampant consumerism may be a problem for some people, but most people just like to have nice things and don't mind paying for them, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
If I buy my brother an expensive shirt, it's because he likes to dress nicely, not because he has some kind of consumerism problem. If he buys me a Nintendo Wii, it's not because I am helpless to corporate greed, it's because I like to play games. There really isn't much more to it. I am not being consumed by anything when I buy gifts for my friends and family, I enjoy it, but that's not a bad thing.- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -2/+1denialmuch? :)
- furatail, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1It has nothing to do with shaming shoppers. Its more of an awareness to let shoppers know that they don't have to buy happiness. As he said, most of us view Christmas as a burdan. We get carried away and are forced paying for the gifts long after their fun value. If you're rich and are collecting thousands in the bank account and have no plans on using it, then go ahead and buy some things. You doing the economy a service by putting you money to work.
- Shawn4168, on 12/07/2007, -1/+3Holy crap, did I just Digg something from RawStory?
- bossm4n, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1It's great story appearing on Nightline. Exactly how is rawstory able to put this on their site in this context with their logo on the video, superimposed over the ABC logo at that?
- osbjmg, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1This looks great.
- MatthewDuke, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1...but....Brawndo has electrolytes!
- gonediggin, on 12/07/2007, -0/+0"war on consumerism".... thats a new one on me
- funkywood, on 12/08/2007, -0/+1Martin Bashir is now on ABC? I thought he'd disappeared after screwing Jacko over.
- RHandler, on 12/13/2007, -0/+1Any legitimate manifestation of religion is anti-materialist.
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