This question is asked by Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir in the documentary of the same name. Heading into this holiday season during one of the worst recessions this country has seen in awhile, the message of the film could not be more appropriate. As the film opens, scenes of rabid shoppers rushing into stores like the bulls of Pamplona are intercut with Reverend Billy screaming into his bullhorn, urging that you don’t have to buy a gift to give a gift.
The film follows the good reverend and his flock as they cross the country, counting down the days to Christmas, and having a rollicking good time as they comically try to get people to reconsider their shopping habits and rampant consumerism. From his arrest in the Disney Store for preaching that Mickey Mouse is the anti-Christ to him being the first person ever to be banned from Starbucks in California, Reverend Billy and his choir, though they make an amusing spectacle of themselves, are very passionate about their message. Even after their bus is hit by a runaway tractor trailer, sending thirteen of them to the hospital, they charter another bus and continue on their crusade of sermons and songs.
Reverend Billy’s dire warning is for Americans to be wary of the “Shopacolypse”, that learned penchant for consumerism that has caused us to surpass $2.4 trillion dollars in credit card debt, a number that will increase by $100 billion dollars this holiday season. Their hope is that we get back to realizing what is important about the holiday and the relationships that so often take second place to our consumption. As the film points out, the average American spends one hour a week in church and five hours shopping. And while the average 8 year old watches over 40 hours of media programming a week, he only gets about 40 minutes of meaningful conversation with his parents.
Although named the Church of Stop Shopping, that is not entirely their mission. They do understand that people need to purchase items in order to survive. Even members of the choir purchase things occasionally. Nevertheless, when they make purchases, they look for products created in America where the profit goes back into the local community. The film also addresses the plight of local business owners and how many are put out of business by the low, low prices of Wal-Mart, and how the use of slave labor in other countries affects product price points. There is an exhilarating scene in which three teenage girls start to research where their clothes are made and are made aware of the horrible conditions sweatshop workers endure.
Most of these points are only glossed over as the film revels more in the antics of Reverend Billy and his choir. Yet the message is loud and clear as they head into the holiday season. Billy reminds us of the only account in the Bible where Jesus got violent was with the money changers in the temple. Imagine how he would feel today about the rampant commercialization of the celebration of his birth.
The church’s month long journey across the country as they preach the gospel of stop shopping and attempts to exorcise the demons of Wal-Mart culminates in a well timed demonstration down Disneyland’s Main Street on Christmas Day. As Reverend Billy leads the choir through the crowd awaiting the Mickey Mouse parade, he is accompanied by numerous Disney security officers, each echoing the mantra, “You need to stop now.” But Billy is consumed by the power of the spirit of not shopping and is soon arrested by the Anaheim Police. While his flock holds a candlelight vigil for his release, Reverend Billy is seen preaching a more somber and sincere sermon to close out the film.
His final plea is a hope that we can change just a little this Christmas season. He asks that we buy half as much as we did last year, and give twice as much. He reminds us that Christmas is the celebration of a child born who would one day bring us peace. As we head into this season, may we all be a little more conscious of what we are buying, why we are buying it, and at least consider if there might be a better way to show love to our loved ones that does not involve increasing our financial debt.
Love the Reverend.
The Shopacalypse is almost upon us!