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To: marshmallow
Religion meets consumerism.

IOW, "the product" was more appealing, attractive, enjoyable.

Implicit in this concept, is the idea that we ought to somehow "tailor" or modify the product which we provide to meet customer demand.

I'd argue that this is at the very heart of our spiritual problems, today. When I say "our" I don't just mean Catholic. I mean the entire western world.

Excellent observation. Neil Postman, in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death blames television for this approach to adapting the "product" to the market, and one of those "products" is religion. Adapting the religious message so that it is tailored, as you said, or otherwise made emotionally satisfying, is to change it to something different than the original. As he puts it, "I believe I am not mistaken in saying that Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether."

115 posted on 04/20/2011 2:49:16 PM PDT by Lorica
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To: Lorica
Neil Postman, in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death...

The greatest book ever written about television. Period.

117 posted on 04/20/2011 3:04:40 PM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory; and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: Lorica

Another really big factor is that it’s not socially acceptable to be Catholic these days and that has a whole lot more more bearing on many folks who leave than they’re going to ever admit.


121 posted on 04/20/2011 3:11:50 PM PDT by Rashputin (Barry is insane., so handlers keep him medicated and on the golf course.)
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