It is not hard to see that consumerism plagues our land. One of our countries biggest problems is obesity. And while we kill ourselves by eating too much, the other 80 percent of the world is literally dying from hunger.

It is not just food though, that is killing us. It is our addiction to buying things of all kinds. It is as if we find our worth in having the latest and greatest of all things. No matter what the cost to humanity. Sometimes it even seems that North Americans believe it is their divine right to consume more than their fair share, simply because they were born here.

There are some really cool movements out there, working to both raise awareness and combat consumerism. The Methodist Church of England is celebrating Lent with a Buy Less, Live More campaign. The USAntiheroes celebrate the real joy of Christmas, found in people not presents. And the Church of Stop Shopping is working in some outrageous ways to bring an end to overconsumption. So check them out, and let us know what you think, and what you are doing to reduce your consumption.

1. Jason Barr, February 13, 2008:

   This year my Lent theme is basically about reducing consumption and changing my consuming habits, both with regards to general spending and food. I’m going vegetarian for Lent, as well as only grocery shopping within a certain distance of my house and using cash for all purchases. I reflect a bit on it on my blog.

2. jamie, February 13, 2008:

   That’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing Jason!
   Best wishes from Philadelphia,
   ~jamie

3. Joyce, February 14, 2008:

   Our church http://www.crossroads.net is doing a 6 week all-church journey called “Consumed” along with over 30 churches in the Cincinnati area. Think God is trying to tell us all something?

4. midge, February 14, 2008:

   For some reason this is happening to me for this time of Lent. I am trying to come out of my ‘hermitism’. I can hide in a house full of people without any interaction for most of the day. I also find a way to not leave the house. So for me Lent is not giving up something but finding ways to give more of me.

5. d.o., February 14, 2008:

   Joyce: That’s cool that your church is doing the “consumed” series… What’s cooler (I think) is that you’re doing it alongside 30 other churches in the area. Some good messages, both the consumed idea, and the church unity. I love it.

   Midge: It’s encouraging to hear that you’re working to become less “hermit-like”. And giving more of yourself, living more and more selflessly, what a way to do it! There’s truly something to be said about people who live not for themselves, but for their Maker and for those around them.

6. j j, February 15, 2008:

   It is not hard to see that consumerism plagues our land.
   PS If you look to the left of me order tickets, dvds, cds, books, and clothing …

7. nicole, February 18, 2008:

   As JJ just pointed out it would appear that we are being hypocritical (or at least that is what I am reading into his comment). I can see why he would think so, as there I am writing about how consumerism is going to be the death of us, and then to the left there is an ad to buy stuff to support our movie.

   I am a consumer. I like to buy things. Let’s get that out of the way right now. That last post was a reflection of where I am at. For the last few years I have been deeply struggling with how to live in this culture, and honor God. And to be honest, I often feel that I am still in the middle of that struggle.

   That being said I have come to discover a few things. One is that to try and go against the system while still having to be a part of it means you will always be a hypocrite to some degree. But for me that is no reason to stop trying to invoke and embody the alternative.

   I agree with what JJ said. We are totally writing about one thing and yet seemingly acting out the opposite. However, that is not entirely true, as more lies under the surface. In order to tell the stories we are passionate about in a way that is going to get people to listen, well we need a budget. Unlike a traditional movie making we do not have a single source of income footing the bill (such as a production studio). And we are making a conscious effort to be sure that no single source covers more than a fraction of the entire cost of the movie. Part of this is due to the fact that we do not want people to later claim that the film was skewed one way due to where the money came from. But most of it is because we believe in the power of a lot of littles. And as such we are putting in a lot of effort to raise the money we need to tell these important stories.

   The reason we are selling the DVD’s, T-Shirts and Buttons is because we want to partner with people in order to make this movie, and we want to spread the word about it. These products help us do both. In addition, we are acting out our belief in equality and social justice, all the shirts and buttons are sweatshop free (the buttons are actually hand made across the street, by a girl who is raising money to go teach English in Vietnam).

   I guess in closing I would just like to say that we are all working within a very broken system. And we are not perfect, nor do we claim to be. Just like many of you out there I am personally trying to figure out what I believe. I personally have decided to try and cut my consumption, and where I do consume I try to do so in ways the reflect my beliefs. I mean we all have to consume in order to survive, but we can sure go about that consumption in better ways. Also we would like to make it clear, in case it isn’t already, that we are in no way trying to make a killing off of the stuff we are selling, we are simply trying to get the stories out there. Consumerism is complex, it is a beast and there is no easy answer for it; but none the less, we would still like to search.

8. thule, February 26, 2008:

   dude, i have to share what God has spoken to me and how i am living it out. after meeting and hearing Shane when he came to ecclesia in houston in january 2007 i bought the book and bought a Jesus was homeless shirt.. when i got the shirt it was a little small so i cut the collar out of it so it would fit better and in that moment, as i was cutting out the collar i heard God speak to me that i didn’t need to go into department stores (malls) and buy $20+ tshirts anymore because it is wasteful! so i came up with “cutting ties for Jesus” and i wear the “cut out collar” of the shirts that i did buy ay the mall, around my wrist to remember that i’m cutting ties for Jesus today, in ALL that i do.. i’ve only told a few people why i wear it on my arm and not sure many understand like i do.. guess that’s how God speaks to us personally but to this day, i haven’t purchased clothes in the mall.. instead i go to resale shops and wear my “cutting ties for Jesus” braclet around my wrist.. i gave my first one (the one from the Jesus was Homeless shirt) to a train hopper named Jasper i met in downtown houston last summer and he put it on his wrist and walked away… i wonder how Jesus is working in his life today??
   peace.