Would Jesus Go to Starbucks?

May 24, 2007 02:49 PM EDT

views: 23 | rating: 10/10 (2 votes) | comments: 4

Prosperity theology has met its match in the form of Reverend Billy.

From the stoop of New York's Disney Store to the Mall of America, performance artist Bill Talen preaches his gospel as "Reverend Billy," an anti-consumerist crusader backed by his "Stop Shopping Choir."

Here is an interview with the "reverend."

Video of him in action here.

Knife edge social satire or over-the-top tomfoolery?

What do you think?

Tags: public radio, consumerism, starbucks, religon, jesus, news, christians, performance art, spirituality, reverend billy, god, politics, people

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Comments: 4

Linda DeMerle May 25, 2007, 12:23pm EDT

I almost listened, but I saw the photo and took pause: any religious "leader" who rails on about things that don't really have to do with following Jesus...is kind of putting the cart before the horse. Go good for people, love them and help them. That's what it is about.

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Diane Seacrest May 25, 2007, 12:24pm EDT

I hear ya Linda.

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Kathryn E. May 25, 2007, 11:45pm EDT

Agree with two previous commenters.

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mikel-us worldmikel Jun 8, 2007, 5:37am EDT

I can see where rampant consumerism is against Christian beliefs and counter to any good spiritual values. Many are blinded by "things" in life. I'd think most anyone can see the tongue-in-cheek from Rev. Billy, but his message is getting through. After experiencing this Starbucks/Gather/Earthwatch sham contest, I have learned a new term for what these groups actually do, from this story: "Greenwashing". This is a facade put out by big corporations to sell products with an enviro-feel-good notion, implying one thing that has little or nothing to do with their reality. It is simple duplicity. That sums up the SBUX and Gather contest. From what I'm reading lately, appears to be the standard operating procedure for these companies in particular. With the advent of characters like Rev. Billy, maybe a time of reckoning is coming for the bad actors in business?

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