On Faith The Rev. Fritz Fritschel

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Consumerism offers much food for thought

What are we to think about the extension of the holiday season, at least from Thanksgiving through Super Bowl Sunday?

What are we to think about traditional holiday decorations that appear even before Thanksgiving?

What are we to think of the fact that about 40 percent of retail sales are made during the last month of the year?

What are we to think of the pressure of advertising that leads to a sense of obligation to buy and consume?

What are we to think of the entire industry that has grown in this period of the year?

What are we to think of the disingenuous way in which a figure of "mystifying gift-giving" dressed in a red suit has become a figure that encourages more consumption?

What are we to think about the estimate that nearly 70 percent of gifts exchanged at this time of year are neither needed nor desired?

What are we to think about Christmas being considered a symbol of capitalist economy?

What are we to think about the fact that the New York City dump is now considered the largest man-made object in the world?

What are we to think about advice from elected officials that a sign of patriotism is to shop and buy?

What are we to think about a society that builds more community storage space for citizens to keep some of their belongings?

What are we to think about a society that used about 16 million barrels of oil to make bottled-water containers used in 2006?

What are we to think of a society in which it takes twice as much water to make a bottled-water container than is contained in the bottle?

What are we to think of a society in which, as one observer notes, more seems not to be enough?

What are we to think of a society in which, as one theologian remarks, the dominant religion of the day is economism?

Who are we? What are we about?

What is the difference between generosity and consumption?