What does God consume?

It's not actually a profound question. Apparently, 80 million Evangelical Americans are already posing and answering this question constantly. I just finished watching the documentary Jesus Camp and, even though consumption itself was not essential to the narrative of the film, the symbols, effects, and ideologies of consumption abound.

The "meat" of the film is tucked into the recent nomination of a conservative Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito, Jr. (Liberal brief of his judicial philosophy as a PDF; bevy of links on Justice Alito; Justice Alito was among the dissenters in a 5-4 Supreme Court decision legitimizing EPA enforcement standards for vehicle emissions), giving political contours to this portrayal of hardcore fundamental Christians. Their tactics, teachings, and methods seem scarcely different than the so-called Islamo-fascist enemy that the United States is committed to defeating in the Global War on Terror. It should come as little surprise that the radical Evangelical world view, which openly praises and promotes at least ideological 'war' in the film, draws on bottomless brainwashing rationalizations. There is little to suggest the extent of radicalism exhibited in the film itself, though the directors certainly give the impression that this message is hardly background noise in an increasingly religious electorate in the United States.

I am hardly objective about Evangelical belief; I don't believe it is possible to respond objectively to such indefatigable pontification. I am more interested in why believing in a fundamental version of the Christianity is so frequently coupled with denunciations of global warming and why it has taken such a foothold in the least urbanized areas of the United States.

The film incorporates stunning pastoral shots and swaths of suburban landscapes, highways, hyperbolically tall roadsigns and highway billboards with messages from God. They carry a message as well. The landscapes of suburbia require, encourage, even promote, the consumption of massive amounts of fossil fuels while driving. They also are home to the largest, least conscientiously constructed centers of modern consumption: Wal Mart, Cost-co, etc. The families in the film may not be flagrant consumers of everything, but their specific method of consumption incorporates a view transcending material reality. God has provided the earth. God has provided the fossil fuels for the United States, which must strive to "reclaim" its Christian past, morals and all. We are in a [cultural] war. The current object of bellicose revival is not just the Middle East but a world of unbelievers. The degenerates of the "sick old world" that prospers today. Therefore, the Christian soldiers, urged onward by their unshakable beliefs, feel righteous in their consumption. Anchored in unwavering obedience, Evangelical consumption is required insofar as they seek to outgrow the current moment. Barring the actual Rapture, which I probably won't survive, consumption is the second most likely means to free ourselves from the material world. If we transform everything into commodities, we'll hardly recognize the world as it existed in Edenic prehistory. Why not use it until there isn't anything left? Realize the apocalypse by refusing to curb your appetite for obliteration.

Maybe all I've demonstrated is the staying power of a good 'ol American rant. Railing against extremism. I think the visual link between Evangelical fundamentalism on display in "Jesus Camp" is powerful for its subtlety. The former leader of one of the the largest Evangelical organizations, the National Association of Evangelicals, preached "cooperation without compromise;" the organization operationalizes that marching order by pushing the political aspects of Evangelical religiosity, which includes a sustained effort to discredit global warming. Apparently, a growing number of fundamentally religious Americans are dealing with global warming. But what is the incentive of the NAE to push back on increased enforcement and environmental politics? The leadership seems more keen to cement the profitability of investment portfolios. Perhaps as the market begins to dominate the sustainability movement more, the NAE will flip to alternative sources of influence and profit.

Certainly the fervor and unquestioned authority of the scientific establishment may be just as dangerous, though for different reasons. Beyond that, what troubles me is the relatively apolitical assessment that levels of consumption in the United States top those in most of the rest of the world and, even today, economic leaders threaten doom if the profound desire of the American consumer to purchase is not satisfied. That is a global effort. As long as 80 million Americans believe that our rightful place in the world is as the God-ordained leader, we will continue to believe that our rightful position justifies unlimited usage of often limited resources.

Today I did not purchase anything.

Yesterday I purchased a late snack at a diner for Dara and I. Total was $15.30.

Working on that Widget.

Praise God,

dp