The Independent News Source
NCR on Kindle - NCR classifieds - YouTube - Twitter - Facebook - Email Alerts - RSS
Printer-friendly version
PDF versionWilliam Bole: a new slant on consumerism
by Tom Roberts on Dec. 08, 2011
William Bole, a friend and former colleague, has always demonstrated a great gift for understanding the connections among ideas and actors in the religion world and for relating those connections with a storyteller’s instinct and wit.
I worked with him for a number of years (he was Washington correspondent at the time) during my stint at Religion News Service in New York and often marveled at his ability to join a certain gentleness to a critical and unblinking approach to news.
He’s recently begun a blog, Theopol, and it is a worn description to those who know him to describe his new venture as “thoughtful,” but that’s what it is, far more thoughtful than most efforts one comes across in the ether. Take a look. He’s just posted a different take on seasonal consumerism – and don’t cringe. You won’t be preached at; you may be encouraged to think, gently, about what’s going on. Check it out: http://williambole.com/body-and-soul-in-the-checkout-line/
This was a very interesting
This was a very interesting article by Mr Bole. There is something else to consider. Every item that is being purchased at the holiday season was produced by workers who were paid for their work by the employer.
For good or bad, America's economy is a consumer driven economy. Without going overboard, the purchasing on Black Friday and Cyber Monday may increase retail jobs in the short term and support continuation of current production jobs in the long term. In this season of high unemployment, that is not a bad thing.
Allow me to
Allow me to disagree.
Consumerism is not just consuming, is turning the act of consuming in an end in itself, a form of trying to fill a void with things. That's why the shopping malls are must more atractive than churches. Of course we all need to keep body and soul together. If I need to have a soup to eat, I must buy the vegetables. But do I need to wear Prada, like the devil? Or keep changing my gadgets for the last ones publicized in the media, propably made in China? Do you know that even in India the production it is being outsorced to poorest regions, because the work force is becoming too much "expensive"? I wouldn' fight a cliché with other cliché. Similar to the one used by President George W. Bush in his speech after the attack to the Twin Towers: Keep buying, to keep the economy strong! Something that, for me, was the worst form of disrespect towards the victims and their families. And the best symbol of the crass materialism that keeps the malls full and the churches empty.
with the closing of our farms
with the closing of our farms and factories, it is the only game in town, to buy, on credit, until China gives us no more credit . . .
we are all up to our necks and beyond in hock, and the day of reckoning comes
There is nothing inherently
There is nothing inherently evil about Prada; if you can afford it than buy it. Somebody makes a living making it, just like they make a living producing gadgets, houses, food.
I do agree with you about President Bush's remarks; I thought it was tacky
the USA is a consumerist only
the USA is a consumerist only society straddled with outrageous military piracy, and the credit cards are all absolutely maxed out
and no one has a job
no one has a home
no one has health care
Not only do I disagree with
Not only do I disagree with you about military policy, I have a job, I have a home, I have health care, and I have no credit cards.
You must live in a different country than I do.
goodie for you but: Check the
goodie for you but:
Check the statistics.
Check the reality of this USA
Check the 99%
It ain't all about you, war dog . . .
war profiteer . . .
Post new comment