Consumerism: A Subtle Corroder of Virtue

Catholic Online ^ | 8/30/2004 | Dr. Ray Guarendi (interviewee)

[ArrogantBustard]

Deserves its own thread.

[ArrogantBustard]

This article got referenced on another thread (thanks GSS); I thought it deserved a thread of its own.

[theFIRMbss]

>Materialism is completely antithetical to Christian living and the giving of ourselves, our belongings and our lives

Well, someone could say,
every time I get something,
someone has to give

it to me. Therefor
I'm helping them be Christian.
By wearing the yoke

of a consumer
I help others be Christian.
And what could be more

Christian than taking
a tough task to help others?
See? It all makes sense.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Thanks, AB!

[GirlShortstop]

This article got referenced on another thread (thanks GSS); I thought it deserved a thread of its own.

You're welcome for the 'tip' A.B.  Thank you for posting it.  Now the onus is on one of us to remember to bump it when [normal] Christmas shopping time is in full swing.

Consumerism is a continuation of self-absorption -- life is to get, not to give. Materialism is completely antithetical to Christian living and the giving of ourselves, our belongings and our lives.

Good excerpt choice sandyeggo.  Pax et bonum.

[sinkspur]

Well, Guarendi seems to feel that the solution to consumerism is for Catholics to have less stuff, and take the money that's left over and give it to the Church.

The Church, however, has a responsibility as well. What are Catholics to think when they forego a new or second car only to see the Church build quarter billion dollar cathedrals and bishops living in million dollar residences?

Or, they see the parishes they've attended their entire lives and given money to closed in order to pay off sexual abuse claims?

Catholics in the West are gripped by consumerism because those who run the Church are gripped by that same consumerism.

Set an example, clergy, and the people will follow.

[Pyro7480]

It depends on what you mean by "Church" consumerism. If a diocese spends a quarter-billion dollars, and gets a structure that doesn't glorify God, then we have a problem. But if the money is well-spent on a classical cathedral, then I don't think it's a problem. Sometimes, we can come dangerously close to being like Judas Iscariot, who criticized the woman who spent money on expensive oil that she used to anoint Christ's feet.

[ArrogantBustard]

Guarendi: As a therapist, one of the first things I do with a child who has a behavior problem is ask the parents to reassess the child's goodies, activities and privileges. Kids are awash in things and leisure opportunities, and it affects their behavior.

This doesn't happen because bishops build palaces. It happens because (grand)parents are trying to buy the kid's affection, and trying to compensate for their absence. It has a seriously corrosive effect on childrens' understanding of the relationship between "work" and "stuff", and consequently on the value of "stuff" and the necessity of "work".

[sinkspur]

If a diocese spends a quarter-billion dollars, and gets a structure that doesn't glorify God, then we have a problem. But if the money is well-spent on a classical cathedral, then I don't think it's a problem.

You miss the point, Pyro. This is not about spires versus flat roofs.

Bishops and priests who turn churches into monuments to themselves or modeled after their own preferences are not good stewards of the hard-earned money of parishioners.

Quarter billion dollar churches of any style are a scandal.

[sinkspur]

This doesn't happen because bishops build palaces.

I didn't say that. But many priests and bishops in the West are simply not models of Him who had nowhere to lay His Head. And Catholics see that.

[karenbarinka]

Oh dear.

This is the first time I've ever agreed with you about anything.

One of us must have been kidnapped by aliens and replaced with pod people.

Either that or blame the full moon!

[GirlShortstop]

Catholics in the West are gripped by consumerism because those who run the Church are gripped by that same consumerism.

Chicken or the egg?  Not enough Catholics go to church enough to be influenced in that way, imho.  We could speculate that a reason they *don't* is because of their consumerist lifestyle... not wanting to think about how influenced they've been/become.  I sort of see it a a new religion.

My bellyache at my parish is that the pastor gives the clear impression that he's a businessman first (and he even stinks at that based upon communication in the bulletin).

[GirlShortstop]

People often think they can't give to the Church because they have too much stuff to buy, too many payments; they don't have extra to give.

diamond, this article seems to be on target with your quote [from your dad] a ways back.

"build your bank account in heaven"

Pax et bonum.

[Pyro7480]

Bishops and priests who turn churches into monuments to themselves or modeled after their own preferences are not good stewards of the hard-earned money of parishioners.

Yeah, if clerics build churches for selfish reasons, then they aren't good stewards.

Quarter billion dollar churches of any style are a scandal.

How much what it cost to build the Basilica of the Immacualate Conception, whose basic stucture was only completed 50 years ago? I bet you it would take a few 100 million.

[Pyro7480]

Sorry, I messed that question up. It should be, "How much would it cost to build the Basilica today?"

[marshmallow]

Well, Guarendi seems to feel that the solution to consumerism is for Catholics to have less stuff, and take the money that's left over and give it to the Church.

Whenever I have a few extra bucks left over after all the bills have been paid I'll send it directly to the local "Pregnancy Care" or "Birthright". Sometimes I'll put it aside for disaster relief or send it to the local food bank.

I don't up my weekly contribution in the Church envelope, precisely because I have issues with the way some of it is spent.

[GirlShortstop]

Quarter billion dollar churches of any style are a scandal.

Do you know how much it cost to build EWTN's Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament?  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

The architecture is 13th Century. Mother Angelica wanted the marble, gold, and cedar for the temple that God commanded David to build him in the Bible. The ceramic tile came from South America, the stones from Canada, and the bronze from Madrid, Spain. The floors, columns, and pillars are made of marble. There is a rare red Jasper marble from Turkey that was used for the red crosses in the floor of the temple. The wood for the pews, doors, and confessionals were from cedar imported from Paraguay. Spanish workers can to build the doors. The stain glass windows were imported from Munich, Germany. The Statutes of the Stations of the Cross were hand-carved.

One of the most striking parts of the temple is the gold leaf wall. There is an eight foot stand with gold plated at top for the consecrated host. Two nuns pray in 1 to 1 1/2 hour shifts 24 hours a day behind the gold leaf wall in the temple. The cloistered nuns purpose is to pray and worship Jesus. They pray for those who don't pray for themselves. The nuns stay focused on silence, solitude and prayer. There is a prayer request box at the receptionist's desk and many requests are taken over the phone.
link

[diamond6]

Good memory shortstop!!

[Conservative til I die]

No, this is blasphemy!!! The Church is just filled with commies because they think basing one's life on what they can buy and consume is spiritually harmful.