Church, Inc., continued: part 3

I Thought the church was about non-material things?

Is that still true? Let's look at the recent Passion of the Christ controversy. I personally (as I have written elsewhere) that Mel Gibson was very effective at manipulating certain assumptions in the evangelical world: the sense that Hollywood and the media were against them; the concern that liberals didn't want their message to get out, etc. As a result, the church found itself pursuing things that they used to decry. For one, the money made off the film was used as a justification for its rightness, as if more money means more right. Funny, if that is true, then the Passion is to be compared with Michael Jackson, the success of the Da Vinci Code, or any of the lightweight films that Disney turns out with poor writing and Happy Meal toys. Are they sure they want to compare it that way? And speaking of Happy Meals, it turns out that Mel has licensed commemorative items to go with this film. So we have the situation where people might go to see this deeply-felt spiritual experience, and then go pop down another 12-16 dollars for an Official Pewter Nail Pendant to show their allegiance to the film: just as if they had purchased an action figure to accompany the Lord of the Rings. Is that all this is?

If you visit a Bible Bookstore, you will see just more of this stuff. At my local one, I have seen everything from conspiracy theory videos to a wide assortment of knickknacks with a Christian theme. If you want to read a conservative take on the family, you have your choice. If you want to read a scholarly book on the family, Christian history, or theology, you will have to look elsewhere. Oh, and if you want a Bible for every day of the week, you are in the right place. Everything is for sale, remember. You can buy a bible for men, for women, for teens, for..... A lot of money is being made every year selling assorted stuff to Christians. I have often wondered if the answer to the question, "What would Jesus do," is to evidently buy a lot of cheap crap! I thought church was supposed to be something different. I thought that Christianity was supposed to be about other-worldly things. But evidently, it is just a different kind of Wal Mart.

Then we have the Lord's Gym. Apparently, with no sense of irony, a Florida Christian has decided to market directly to people's faith. It is just another marketing schtick. Don't go work out at Golds Gym with the G-string Barbies, but pay your money to work out at a place who's logo is Jesus working out. So what is wrong with this? Isn't it an option for Christians to work out at a family friendly gym? Sure. I am not sure that it requires the Lord's endorsement. You can have a family oriented gym that requires moderate dress, but not necessarily market it this way. What is next? The Lord's Bar and Grill? With Passion of the Christ Chili Fries? Or maybe the Sermon on the Mount Fish Sandwich? Instead of Happy Hour, maybe a Praying hour with 1/2 off well-drinks and beers?

Why not? Why not indeed? Why not if what the Passion and Lord's Gym and Bible Superstores have shown us is that Christian faith is just another commodity to be bought and sold. I have asked friends of mine about the Passion marketing, and they all find it annoying, but not outlandish. I keep wondering what will produce that kind of reaction. Evidently if the site uses Christ in a mocking way, that elicits some frustration, but other than that, they seem quite ok with their Lord and Savior being marketed like Ronald McDonald. What would cause them to rise up? I don't know.

I do know that I will hold the church with suspicion as long as they seem to allow this to go on without criticism.