Review of What Would Jesus Buy? (2007) by Private U — 19 Aug 2008

While everyone would like to go about living life as usual this Christmas, some serious thought about what is actually happening in America's consumer culture would be a welcome respite from the frenzied buying.

This documentary, however, could be much better. First, cultural critics like the late Neil Postman would question the effectiveness of using entertainment to get people to stop shopping. In fact, one could watch this documentary or Rev.

Billy's preaching and be excessively amused while remaining completely indifferent or opposed to his message. Essentially, the medium may overpower the message. Those who participate in the Church of Stop Shopping question whether they are getting through to people.

Second, the documentary, as is increasingly common today, lacks much balance. Finally, a bit more thematic organization would have been helpful. In the end, the message really got through to me. Some people say the message is on overkill, but studies show that people need to hear things repeatedly before they actually sink into one's consciousness.

The excessive and utterly empty consumerism, the destruction of small town stores, the exploitation of people who are beaten, abused, and under-paid, the huge amounts of debt, and more are all reasons to reconsider holiday shopping.