I want to vomit

[rae_anna46]

Please read the comments too - there is good discussion/clarification.

Comments

[cb_goes_home]

I am reading this with great interest; my first reaction was similar to Kel's, that those things couldn't possibly be intended to build faith - do you really think they are? I guess I would see them sort of the way a golfer can find just about anything with a golf ball on it - even though mints with a golf ball won't help the person improve his game. Please know that I'm not trying to compare your faith, which I truly respect, to golf - perhaps it's an analogy that makes no sense given the life-changing qualities of a faith like yours

[rae_anna46]

Eh, I've seen a lot of piety associated with buying Christian tchokes and I think a lot of the things are artistically just *bad* (so my views on the arts, which I believe are linked to faith - God is an artist and gave those gifts to people) factors into this too. If something is bad art or poorly made (whether it be a 'christian' band or a cheesy 'artwork' and then a Christian label is put on it that botheres me a lot b/c if anything - Christians should be making GREAT art, not inferior cheesy junk just b/c it sells. i guess being raised by an artistically-minded Christian father really informs my views a lot on what is and isn't 'good'.

[juliemag]

Rachael, I can totally identify with everything you wrote. Josh and I are both skeptical of "christianity" when it is blatantly exploited like that. Your post really struck a cord with me. Thanks for reminding all of us (who believe) what is really the core message of our faith. :)

[rae_anna46]

Thanks, it helps to know i'm not the only one. I usually don't post things that are so strongly worded but I was so upset that I needed to write about it.

[kellygibson]

rach, i can not stop thinking about what you've written. you've really put into words a lot of things i've been feeling... i went to lifeway to buy a copy of the bible study we started last week, and i had to get in and get out because i was so disgusted by all of the junk in there that had a christian slogan or lingo stamped onto it. i fully know i'm being marketed to as a 27 year old white female, but i have a big problem with a 'christian' business using my faith to get my money. i guess one could look at it AS business, and they're just selling to a subculture, like a skateboarding shop or hot topic would, for example. where is that scripture that says 'all things are acceptable, but all things are not beneficial'? scripture mints are not inherently bad, of course... but when a person thinks they're somehow doing a better thing by purchasing them in lieu of lifesavers... that's false security, or false piety perhaps. it reinforces the them-versus-us mindset

[rae_anna46]

i fully know i'm being marketed to as a 27 year old white female, but i have a big problem with a 'christian' business using my faith to get my money. i guess one could look at it AS business, and they're just selling to a subculture, like a skateboarding shop or hot topic would, for example.

And that is my fundamental problem - we shouldn't allow our Christianity to turn into a 'subculture for marketing purposes' nor do I think we should enable that to happen. It acquiesces the Church as a community of faith to be just another tool for capitalist enterprise.

I also would like to hear your perspective as an artist on a lot of the 'christian art' and 'christian sculpture' mass produced and sold in those stores.

[rae_anna46]

(and i'm not against business or capitalism enterprise - i'm against turning the Church into a marketplace).

[quartercentury]

Yeah. Not that you'd be likely to find me in a Christian bookshop, but the whole faith (any faith) plus marketing/materialism/profiteering thing gets to me. Makes me wonder how people who identify as Christian can justify producing/buying these things when, if I remember correctly, Jesus specifically turned the marketplace out of the temple.

[rae_anna46]

Thanks for the support Kindra. I can totally see a role for Christian versions of board games now that others have explained it to me (as long as it's not from the 'we have CHRISTIAN games to play' mindset but just in fun since it's a topic you know about and like).

I do think some of those games would be fun to play with kids.

I was really surprised at my emotional response to it b/c that's so not me - i think it was b/c i hadn't realized what was out there being marketed and it was a shock.

from the benson

[anonymous]

I must agree with Rachael...
"If you're not angry, you're not paying attention!"

Christians in America have chosen, by the way we've spent our money, to have our faith co-opted & re-interpreted by consumer capitalism. As previously mentioned, this runs counter to the very root of the Faith by placing almost an exclusive emphasis on things we own & our ability to purchase those things rather than on our interior life.
We have chosen to turn the meaningful symbols of our calling, priesthood, & mission into meaningless slogans, profiteering & kitch. Moreover, since capitalism is fueled by constituent markets, this situation is our fault through our own collusion; if this crap didn't get bought, it wouldn't get made.

Re: from the benson

[rae_anna46]

ITA. Thanks so much for your post. I'm guessing by writing style this is Dave and not Jen (?). Do you read much in the blogosphere? B/c there are a couple of great Christian blogs I think you might enjoy.