What Would Jesus Buy?

I talk a lot on this blog about how less consumerism makes for more happiness, both for the people and the planet. Well, today in the United States, the day after Thanksgiving, a winter vacation day with not much to do, millions of Americans head to the malls to begin the consumer frenzy of Christmas. It's Black Friday.

And according to the excellent new movie What Would Jesus Buy, about anti-consumption crusader Reverend Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping, not only won't the stampede to shop do the planet much good but it's not going to do us much good either:

• Last holiday season, consumers spent $455 billion they largely couldn't afford
• Consumer debt is now $2.4 trillion
• 26 million Americans are clinically addicted to shopping

Meanwhile, Reverend Billy is out there preaching the word of Stop Shopping in order to save our souls, our wallets, our communities and our planet. Support him, if you're inclined (and I certainly was), by going to his movie (go today...the malls are too crowded anyway).

Click here to read a New York Times review and here to see where it's playing. Watch an interview with him below (if you get this by email, click here to come to the blog and see the video). The flick is a hoot.