America's Folly: Excessive Shopping

The 2007 docu-comedy "What would Jesus Buy?" is guaranteed to make you uncomfortable but in a good way. The message of over-consumption, accumulation, and the dangers of corporatism, especially during Christmas, is exceedingly serious. One of the facts in the film says that Americans spend half a trillion dollars each year on Christmas.

Reverend Billy (Bill Talen) uses shocking antics and bizarre performances to emulate a pentecostal preacher on a mission to save sinners, in this case - shopaholics. He and his choir get arrested in dozen of big box retail stores: Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Mall of America, while preaching against made-in-China junk and products made in sweatshops.

But if you look beyond the guerrilla-like parody acts and bleach blond hair, you'll find Talen and his wife Savitri genuinely eager to help humanity see the light. Of course, it's unreasonable and unrealistic to stop shopping altogether so the couple advocate for socially conscious choices like homemade gifts and using less.

Whereas some viewers might be judgmental or critical, the audiences at the Linda Norris Auditorium are always insightful and intuitive. My friend Carrie asked if they might feel twinges of guilt when they find themselves buying stuff from other countries? Another asked about the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Christians who support big business but teach against the dangers of greed and excess.

”If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21.

You can rally with Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping today at 1pm in front of the SUNY Administration Building. Students have been asking SUNY to go sweat-free for over 10yrs. Yet, only four campuses have made a real commitment by joining the Worker Rights Consortium.