The Role Of Consumerism In Religion

Consumerism is an interesting concept that is prevalent in many developed societies including our own. The approach of consumerism involves selling goods by promoting them to the public. This is done by companies urging buyers to buy products and by doing so, it will yield some type of satisfaction that is incomparable. However, this consumerism market is one that hooks its buyers and rarely lets go of them. Now one might question how a market system of consumerism could ever possibly do such a thing, but with the aide of advertisements this occurrence happens unfortunately way too often. In our technologically advanced society, advertisements forced upon everyone. They are present in the paper, the radio, television, internet and social media …show more content…
6.11). For a person who does not read the Bible for application to their life, would not be able to comprehend the significance of this short verse. However, this verse is crucial to the faith of over one billion followers. The daily bread not only refers to food which is essential to stay alive, but also the words of God which are the essence of our faith. Without these words of guidance and wisdom we would succumb to worldly pleasures and altogether there would be no purpose for a religion that follows a higher being. Paul Tillich, a well known Lutheran Theologian, once stated that, “Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned” (248). As a well seasoned Christian Theologian, Tillich is saying that having Faith in God is the ultimate concern for someone who believes in him. Their concern will be to follow the ways and teachings that God has provided them and this in return is having faith. Faith is what gives followers of any religion their morals and beliefs because they are trusting in the higher authority to base their decisions upon. This is quite different from advertising because advertising is taking away free will from its audience; however, faith in God is something that is dependent on the individual. Religion, if not forced upon, allows that individual to decide what is right and wrong depending on the basis of what their higher authority says. With the …show more content…
The well known philosopher and sociologist Theodore Adorno once explained about human tendencies that, “The human is indissolubly linked with imitation: a human being only becomes human at all by imitating other human beings” (Theodore Adorno Quotes). Adorno is implying here that imitation is a normal part of human development. Babies from the time they are born until a mature age proceed with this process because they are consistently learning about how to be like their parents’, but also develop as an individual. This sets a foundation like religion, to base one’s outlook on life. Being brought up with a consistent structure and instruction on different facets in life gives that child morals to abide to because like a higher authority, parents typically make sure their children know what the boundaries are. However, if that child refuses to listen to their parents teachings, they are still deciphering what they feel to be correct and incorrect and this still constitutes to them being able to make their own outlook on life without the basis of advertisements influencing their interpretation of life. Bob Keeshan, a widely known actor for a popular children 's television show once explained, “Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the