"Advent Conspiracy"

[brianleepainter]

Wow, this video more than implies the denouncing of capitalism and actually states

that you should spend less time engaging in spending and celebrating prosperity

and more time worshiping! This promo vid even shows the unholy marriage of

environmentalism tangled with religion.

Viewer discretion is advised: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

[TheEgoist]

Yuppie Christianity for the loss.

[Greebo]

Well the video started *out* with some nice ideas.

I mean, I'm not against helping people who are down on their luck. I'm just against being forced to do it.

[TheEgoist]

I'm against being guilted that I didn't save dying children and instead bought my family something nice.

[Greebo]

I'm against being guilted that I didn't save dying children and instead bought my family something nice.

Sure - but you can choose not to be guilted.

[RussK]

Wow, this video more than implies the denouncing of capitalism and actually states

that you should spend less time engaging in spending and celebrating prosperity

and more time worshiping! This promo vid even shows the unholy marriage of

environmentalism tangled with religion.

Viewer discretion is advised: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Well, I don't think that the group--from viewing the video--is supporting capitalism, but I don't think that it is denouncing it either. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised, if I looked into it more, that they do denounce capitalism. What I like about their ideas is the denunciation of consumerism, which I also abhor; and it's important not to confuse consumerism with capitalism.

During the holidays it seems that peoples consumerism goes into overdrive compared to the rest of the year. At this time of the year people know their debt situation, yet choose to spend the money they don't have at higher rates because of some perceived necessity. As the Advent Conspiracy commercial points out, this behavior probably leads to stress and unhappiness.

The problems I have with the commercial are its solutions to the problem: God worship and altruism. Ever since Christmas became a secular holiday there were Christians trying to redefine it back to the Christian theme, and this Advent group is no different. As a recent Times article suggests, most behind such movements simply want their religion's banner held high during this spending spree:

"Often, however, it seems that being able to score a half-price Nintendo DSi and a "Merry Christmas" from the checkout clerk is the real prize. The Religious Right has spent decades casting secular culture as the enemy. And yet instead of critiquing the values of the consumer marketplace, many conservative Christians have embraced it as the battleground they seek to reclaim."

Returning Christ to Christmas, in such a superficial way, which is what most Christians are concerned about, will not change the way people go about the holiday. Consumerism will not be attacked, but as long as people are forced to acknowledge Sweet Baby Jesus everything is fine.

Additionally, altruism is not going to assist people with their seasonal stress and unhappiness--nor their debt, a main cause of the problems, for that matter. The Advent commercial even acknowledges, if I remember correctly, that people feel guilted into their overzealous gift giving. Replacing this guilt with another, like providing water to the world's population or environmental concerns, will not solve holiday stress or debt; in fact, if the scope of the guilt grows larger than the family, then the problems seems as if they would get worse.

It's also important to point out the similarities between the more philosophical christianity of the Advent groups and socialism, which, of course, is not a new or profound discovery. Socialists have for long been advocating altruism for all holidays, even thanksgiving; the only difference between the Advent position is their insistence on bringing a higher authority into the discussion.

Edited December 16, 2009 by RussK