One week from tomorrow, the "shopping season" officially begins.
Last year, people actually died shopping-related deaths at Wal-Mart. A large group of people cared more about getting to a deal than about the person beneath their feet.
And, lest we be too judgemental of the people caught up in that tragic group-think, let us remember that in a global economy, more of us have people beneath our feet than we would care to admit. Twenty-seven million people are in slavery today--including many in our country, and many more who produce goods we buy. As if that weren't enough, our hunger for new products is fuel for environmental destruction.
Religion, at its best, expands your idea of who your neighbor is. We act, not from a feeling of charity, but of unity. This year, I am going to make some choices in my shopping because of concern for my larger family. I invite you to do the same.
Because so many of my neighbors are threatened by global climate change, resource depletion, and pollution, I am going to buy fewer things, and find ways to give gifts of service. When I do give things, I am going to do my best to give used things. I know it seems sacrilegious to give a gift that doesn't have shrink wrap on the outside, but there is a higher religion to consider.
When I do buy things, I am going to buy them locally. Why? Because I know my neighbors in Buffalo need jobs, and I that local, small businesses are accountable, not to shareholders who are primarily concerned with profit, but to people whose faces they see every day.
Finally, in my giving, and in my receiving, I will do my best to ignore the cries of consumption driven culture, and listen for a deeper wisdom. I will refuse to value people more because they have more, or nicer things, or to pretend that a product is the best way to communicate the way I value myself or another. In fact, because of my own religious tradition, I will treat those considered "less" with an even greater honor.
Giving is a very good thing, and thoughtful purchases can and should be a part of that. The money and time we spend communicates what is most important to us.
Do you have other ideas for ways to be generous AND thoughtful?
Can we grow the economy for all with meaningful consumption?
What are some ways to make sure our consumption does not hurt our planet and other people?
Finally, some quick plugs: People will gather for prayers in the Christian tradition tonight at my church at 7PM, and on Sunday morning at 10AM, open to all people. Tonight is more contemplative and intimate. Sunday will be, for lack of a better word, more traditional.
Tomorrow night, the Nickle City Housing Co-op (at the corner of Elmwood and North) is playing host to the "Third Friday Theology Joint" beginning at 7:30. Snacks are provided, bring your beverage of choice (and look for me around seven at the Village Beer Merchant!)
(Image via Wikimedia Commons)
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Last year, people actually died shopping-related deaths at Wal-Mart. A large group of people cared more about getting to a deal than about the person beneath their feet.
And, lest we be too judgemental of the people caught up in that tragic group-think, let us remember that in a global economy, more of us have people beneath our feet than we would care to admit. Twenty-seven million people are in slavery today--including many in our country, and many more who produce goods we buy. As if that weren't enough, our hunger for new products is fuel for environmental destruction.
Religion, at its best, expands your idea of who your neighbor is. We act, not from a feeling of charity, but of unity. This year, I am going to make some choices in my shopping because of concern for my larger family. I invite you to do the same.
Because so many of my neighbors are threatened by global climate change, resource depletion, and pollution, I am going to buy fewer things, and find ways to give gifts of service. When I do give things, I am going to do my best to give used things. I know it seems sacrilegious to give a gift that doesn't have shrink wrap on the outside, but there is a higher religion to consider.
When I do buy things, I am going to buy them locally. Why? Because I know my neighbors in Buffalo need jobs, and I that local, small businesses are accountable, not to shareholders who are primarily concerned with profit, but to people whose faces they see every day.
Finally, in my giving, and in my receiving, I will do my best to ignore the cries of consumption driven culture, and listen for a deeper wisdom. I will refuse to value people more because they have more, or nicer things, or to pretend that a product is the best way to communicate the way I value myself or another. In fact, because of my own religious tradition, I will treat those considered "less" with an even greater honor.
Giving is a very good thing, and thoughtful purchases can and should be a part of that. The money and time we spend communicates what is most important to us.
Do you have other ideas for ways to be generous AND thoughtful?
Can we grow the economy for all with meaningful consumption?
What are some ways to make sure our consumption does not hurt our planet and other people?
Finally, some quick plugs: People will gather for prayers in the Christian tradition tonight at my church at 7PM, and on Sunday morning at 10AM, open to all people. Tonight is more contemplative and intimate. Sunday will be, for lack of a better word, more traditional.
Tomorrow night, the Nickle City Housing Co-op (at the corner of Elmwood and North) is playing host to the "Third Friday Theology Joint" beginning at 7:30. Snacks are provided, bring your beverage of choice (and look for me around seven at the Village Beer Merchant!)
(Image via Wikimedia Commons)
you rock, rev drew. your shopping principles should be adopted by everyone year-round.
i dread this season because it is 6 long weeks - and getting longer all the time - of relentless merchandising, cheesy jingles, excess calories, forced merriment, and more than anything, unattainable expectations of orgasmic consumer bliss.
i don't understand why christians are so complacent if not complicit about what capitalism has done to their christ.