consumer paganism: our national religion?

[tantric]

as the ussr and the prc managed to turn communism into ersatz religion, so the usgov does consumerism. what are the american holidays? Black Friday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, etc...all signals for orgies of spending. i think it's *vile*, but some folks find the phrase 'consumer paganism' funny and/or useful, so i thought i'd share it.

 

[ideologyhunter]

Well, the phrase pretty well describes Xmas. Doesn't everyone cringe (or hoot) when the lead news story in December is how good a Christmas it is -- defining good by retail sales?
Also, remembering 9/11 -- was it Bush or some other asshat who told Americans to not let the terrorists win -- go out and spend money!!

 

[Under the Rose]

As far as keeping the sabbath holy and for the purpose of worship, I'd suggest that the current model of capitalism with an increasing number of 24/7/365 operations pretty much ensures that most people participate in consumer paganism even if they do not recognize it as such. It was not so long ago that only emergency services operated on holidays and over the weekends. Now, upwards of 35 % of the population participates in shift work which leads to ever increasing demands for accessibility of goods and services around the clock. As example, the corporate retail grocery chain where I work is only closed one day of the year, that being Christmas day.

Retail has become the new church and money its' deity.

 

[Eldarion Lathria]

HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE DOLLAR ALMIGHTY!

And on Earth profit, and good will to bankers.

Here is their god.


Eldarion Lathria