Let's Buy Jesus!, Religion & Consumer Products Options

[Comptine]

I was shopping at Urban Outfitters and was browsing their non-clothing section. I look around and see a giant pink thing. Upon closer inspection, it was a giant, pink Jesus. The little place tag in front of the item said Eight Ball Jesus. So I shake it and flip it over. Sure enough, it was an eight ball. When I put it down, I felt as if I disrespected one of the most important religious figures in Christianity (I'm not religious). Also, when I browsed through the tees at Urban Outfitters a little later, I found a tee that proclaimed 'Jesus is My Homeboy!'

I've been noticing lately how much of our consumer products are geared towards religious people (Not just Christianity. There was an Eight Ball Buddha and a Jew Unit shirt). Starbucks even started to print phrases from the Bible on their coffee cups.

If you are religious, are you happy to see your religion on products or do you feel as if it's disrespectful? If you aren't religious, do you feel uncomfortable about the influence of religious views?

[innovation]

I agree with Sammi. It's all about the intention behind the consumerism. Besides, I don't think it's even possible for the consumer market to be censored by eliminating all merchandise labeled as religiously immoral. Then again, I'm sure that when an object is blatantly sacrilege, the public's reaction will be enough to censor it (i.e. the Abercrombie tees--but that was more of a cultural thing).

This is an awesome topic for my theory of knowledge class during our ethics unit. Hmm...

[illumineering]

I agree with Sammi. It's all about the intention behind the consumerism. Besides, I don't think it's even possible for the consumer market to be censored by eliminating all merchandise labeled as religiously immoral. Then again, I'm sure that when an object is blatantly sacrilege, the public's reaction will be enough to censor it (i.e. the Abercrombie tees--but that was more of a cultural thing).

This is an awesome topic for my theory of knowledge class during our ethics unit. Hmm...

The intention of consumerism is profit! Whatever is being produced needs to be done in such a way that it will create a brand identity and loyalty. Marketing spirituality is the creation of an identity that people buy. Spirituality isn't bought or sold in a store and has nothing to do with brand identity. It's quite the opposite. Religious/spiritual values derived from the purchase of goods does not suggest immorality or the need for censorship, either. A simple lesson in values may be in order. Consumerism and religion are not synonymous.

[innovation]

The intention of consumerism is profit!  Whatever is being produced needs to be done in such a way that it will create a brand identity and loyalty.  Marketing spirituality is the creation of an identity that people buy.  Spirituality isn't bought or sold in a store and has nothing to do with brand identity.  It's quite the opposite.  Religious/spiritual values derived from the purchase of goods does not suggest immorality or the need for censorship, either.  A simple lesson in values may be in order.  Consumerism and religion are not synonymous.

I meant the intention of the consumers themselves, not the producers of the items. Perhaps "consumerism" was the wrong word to use, but I meant the intention of the consumers in purchasing these products. If their only intention is to create a superficial identity, then it is not in accord with their faith.

Newsweek and TIME have also been accused of "commercializing" religion because well, it sells. However, many religious leaders have been opposed to this because it encourages "snapshots" of religions rather than attempts at truly understanding them.

[Comptine]

I meant the intention of the consumers themselves, not the producers of the items. Perhaps "consumerism" was the wrong word to use, but I meant the intention of the consumers in purchasing these products. If their only intention is to create a superficial identity, then it is not in accord with their faith.

Newsweek and TIME have also been accused of "commercializing" religion because well, it sells. However, many religious leaders have been opposed to this because it encourages "snapshots" of religions rather than attempts at truly understanding them.

i would think that "snapshorts" would be a problem. religion is something sacred and is suppose to be part of your whole being. these products take parts of the religion and completely remove it from the rest. if you mass produce something, it loses it rarity and it's specialness.

a lot of people brought up the issue of how people spread their religion. a lot of people believe that if they can convert all humans to believe in jesus, then the second coming will arrive. the products, are they the right way to go about it?