A story in the Los Angeles Times gives insight into the growing market segment for Christian Products. With everything from "Virtuous Woman" perfume to Gospel Golf Balls, the International Christian Retail Show has everything you need to buy to be "Christian".
In today’s, bottom line society it is no wonder that faith is being merchandised like a NFL team. People today don’t want to think about their faith; they just want to get it in instant form complete with bumper sticker slogans. To me, this is really a revealing aspect of what some people call Christianity.
Forgive me if I draw comparisons to the moneychangers in the Temple, but the huge multi-million dollar Christian Products Industry seems a bit blasphemous. The sale of "Scripture Candy" with bible verses printed on the wrapper cheapens the Word into a Joe Bazooka gimmick. Low cut tight fitting T-shirts for girls with catchy Jesus slogans would seem to send a mixed message at best.
Where does it lead? Well the problem with the current Christian phenomenon is summed up well by Political Scientist Alan Wolfe who sees the Christian merchandising trend as a way for believers to "create a parallel universe, one that allows Christians to withdraw from the world instead of engaging it as Christ commanded."
Maybe I am a little more cynical. I see it as a way for marketers to cash in on yet another fad. I suspect if there was a sudden upsurge in interest in the teachings of Buddha, they would be selling "Inner Peace" mood rings instead of crosses.
Having a few things around to remind you of the message of Christ is not a bad thing, but turning that message into he latest version of a Pet Rock seems less than faithful to Jesus’ teachings.
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