CHRISTIAN FAITH EDUCATION 2
COURSE MATERIAL ON CONSUMERISM
Commodification, is a process of not distinguishing anymore either consciously or
unconsciously between human and non human entities resulting from a capitalist
perspective solely for the sake of profiteering. Moreover, in the process of
commodification, not only is the human person reduced to a tool that has an exchange
value but also his relations. The given explanation above on how laborers and
practically human beings are exploited, and consequently commodified, may be an
oversimplification. But this is how exploitation is essentially nowadays.
Commodification, which directly affects human beings, is a human creation; therefore, it
can be solved. However, human reality is not the only reality that gets affected. People's
commodifying consciousness has greatly altered not only the human world (the world as
perceived by human beings) but also the natural world. Because human beings in a
capitalist society amass wealth, both human beings and environment are exploited. The
exploitation of the former has found numerous criticisms from different political
humanist perspectives. Some of the exploitations, to name some, are contractualization
of workers, prostitution, child labor, and others. Workers in contractualization are
commodified because workers are seen as tools, not different from machines, that if
workers' services are no longer needed, they will be scrapped. Moreover, even the
consciousness among workers is already working within the ambits of commodification
because they no longer perceive work as an extension of their being but merely as a
tool for survival. Workers had to find a way to maximize their pay and minimize their
work load which in turn will greatly effect the quality of service they will be giving. This
will contribute to the decrease of the quality of service which in turn will be
disadvantageous to a any institution.
In other words, commodification has not just affected employers but even employees
as well and will have the negative effects just explained. The exploitation of nature and
the danger this act may bring, on the other hand, have just recently been introduced into
the minds of people. In the article Capitalism and the Accumulation of Wealth by John
Bellany Foster, it is as though a prophet has given his message of judgment in this
statement: Over the next few decades we are facing the possibility, indeed the
probability, of global catastrophe on a level unprecedented in human history. The
message of science is clear. As James Hansen, the foremost climate scientist in the
United States, has warned, this may be “our last chance to save humanity.” (John
Bellamy Foster, “Capitalism and the Accumulation of Catastrophe,” Monthly Review: An
Independent Socialist Magazine, Vol. 63 Issue 7(Dec2011).
What exactly is consumerism?
Consumerism is the idea that increasing the consumption of goods and services
purchased in the market is always a desirable goal and that a person's wellbeing and
happiness depend fundamentally on obtaining consumer goods and material
possessions.
Is consumerism bad or good?
Consumerism has a good and bad side. Although consumerism drives economic
growth and boosts innovation, it comes with a fair share of problems ranging from
environmental and moral degradation to higher debt levels and mental health problems
What are the effects of consumerism?
Positive effects of consumerism
More industrial production.
A higher growth rate economy.
More goods and services available.
More advertising since goods manufactured have to be sold.
Increased production will result in more employment opportunities.
A variety of goods and services to choose from.
More comforts for a better living style.
Negative effects of consumerism
Craving for goods is high. The wants and desires of the people increase. The better
their income, the better their purchasing power. But in case, they are not able to do so,
and then they feel dissatisfied.
One is in a rat race to earn more and is forced to cope up with stress and other work-
related tensions.
Material wealth is the deciding factor about whether a society is highly developed or not.
Spiritual values are underplayed. This may not be suitable to a person from the East,
who generally is appreciative of spiritual values.
Crime rate also increases as wants to possess expensive gadgets increase. Thefts
become common, and daylight robberies take place.
Personal relationships also get affected as people are busy trying to earn more to
maintain their standard of living.
Cheaper goods are imported from other goods affecting the growth of locally-based
manufacturing industries.
Consumerism has also resulted in ecological imbalances. The natural habitat is being
destroyed to create more goods and build more buildings affecting the weather. Global
warming will eventually result in health problems. Industrial pollution is affecting people
in many ways.
People lifestyles have also changed in a sense they are more lavish, full of material
comforts rather than focusing on simplicity. Eastern spiritualism and philosophy have
always emphasized simplicity. Gandhian principles and values favor a non-materialistic
approach to life.
Consumerism is also depleting the natural resources of the respective country.
Psychological health also can get affected if one’s desires are not meant, such as
depression. Jealousy and envy can lead to crime.
People, of course, have always "consumed" the necessities of life – food, shelter,
clothing – and have always had to work to get them or have others work for them, but
there was little economic motive for increased consumption among the mass of people
before the 20th Century.
- Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5
- Psalm 136:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 1:21
Paul gives a strong warning to those pulled in the direction of consumerism: “But
godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we
can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:3
Consumerism thrives in an atmosphere of comparison. We have Item A, but our friend
got the new Item B, and it is so much better. Even though we may have been happy
with our item, we’re suddenly smitten with jealousy and discontent. We flip on the TV
and watch the rich and famous flaunt their lifestyles, and, by the time we turn it off, we
feel disgusted at our own. Pangs of jealousy pierce our souls for a few seconds, and we
question the goodness of God for giving such abundance to someone else and such
seemingly lesser things to us.
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- John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21
- Philippians 3:18–20
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
- Matthew 25:14–30
The greatest evil of consumerism is that it pulls our focus from Christ and His kingdom
to earthly, temporal things. When we are born again into the family of God through faith
in the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus, our focus changes. We become
citizens of another realm. This world and its values must no longer dictate our
passions. Philippians 3:18–20 says, “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their
destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their
mind is set on earthly things
The Church has long stood against the materialism and radical individualism that is so
fundamentally at odds with the Christian belief in solidarity and the common good and
that drives consumerism.
John Paul II warned against people becoming “slaves of ‘possession’ and of immediate
gratification, with no other horizon than the multiplication or continual replacement of the
things already owned with others still better.”
Pope Benedict XVI cautioned, “Do not be fooled by those who see you as just another
consumer.”
And Pope Francis has linked consumerism to the throwaway culture that he has
denounced time and time again.
Consumerism fosters greed, envy, and even lust. We become bound by these chains,
which keep us from authentic freedom and human flourishing. Our neighbors and
friends become rivals and reminders of our inadequacy. The poor and needy become
obstacles to possessing more and more things. They themselves become things, as
everything is viewed through a materialist vision and the spiritual nature of the person is
forgotten. No one sees God in another person if they are obsessed with how they
measure up to that person.
So this consumerism inevitably distorts our relationships. Pope Francis has explained,
“Indifferent individualism leads to the cult of opulence reflected in the throwaway culture
all around us. We have a surfeit of unnecessary things, but we no longer have the
capacity to build authentic human relationships marked by truth and mutual respect.”
We throw human beings away, sometimes after we have objectified them and
consumed them.
So the throwaway culture is not just about the structure of the global economy, though
we certainly need a more just system that promotes the flourishing of all. It is also about
our own mindsets and actions.
The international community and countries of the world have a responsibility to build an
economy that serves the human person — all human beings. They are called to respect
the universal destination of goods and ensure that the goods God has given to all will
belong to all so that each person can reach their full physical, emotional, intellectual,
and spiritual potential. This means regulating markets, redistributing wealth, ensuring a
living wage, and fulfilling all of the other responsibilities that belong to public authorities.
It does not mean snuffing out the market, as was done under the wretched totalitarian
regimes of modern communism, but prioritizing the common good above a market
ideology and placing God’s law above a market morality.
But ultimately this is not enough. Personal responsibility, too, must be embraced if we
hope to eliminate the throwaway culture. Christians must learn to differentiate between
wants and needs. They must pursue lasting joy rather than fleeting happiness or
pleasure. They must remember that their worth and dignity is not dependent on keeping
up with the Joneses, but based on being made in the image of God.
And ultimately, we must all remember that other human beings are not objects to be
ignored or consumed. Only then will we eradicate the throwaway culture and rebuild the
bonds of the one human family.
When a desire for bigger and better begins to dominate our decisions, we should check
our level of gratefulness.
Consumerism is a competing god, and a wise Christian will keep a check on his or her
heart.
Philippians 3:8 describes the attitude Christians should adopt: “I consider everything a
loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake
I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” When we
consider the world’s greatest offerings as “garbage” compared to the surpassing worth
of spiritual treasures, we will live free of consumerism.
Christians must learn to differentiate between wants and needs. They must pursue
lasting joy rather than fleeting happiness or pleasure.