not a good idea
I did something tonight that I should never do. I read through the flyer for a Christian Book Store right before I was going to go to bed. Included in this month's flyer are the books "Prayer 101", "The Portable Seminary", and, my personal favourite, "How to Act Like a Christian". And, of course, the usual watered-down Harlequin romance novels. There is also a vast array of Bibles to choose from, including The Official Duct Tape Bible (yes, it is the official one, folks). And just when I thought the barrage of Christian Commercialism couldn't get any worse, I came to the "BibleZines" section. For those of you who haven't heard of them, BibleZines are, and I quote, "Part magazine, part Bible". The women's BibleZine is called "becoming" (all lowercase), and includes the topics "Have you found true love?", "Having peace of mind", and "25 tips on developing true beauty". The men's BibleZine is called "ALIGN" (all uppercase), and includes "Sexcess: Success with the Opposite Sex!", "Fitness Tips Help Strengthen and Tone", and "Top Ten Lists for Getting Ahead". The one for teenage girls includes a quiz called "Does He Like You?", while the one for boys includes tips on "How to Attract Godly Girls".
I checked out some Amazon reviews of the BibleZines--here's what one of them said: "Maybe the reason that we are not reaching the world with the Gospel is because we are too busy making money off it". Hmm.
I checked out some Amazon reviews of the BibleZines--here's what one of them said: "Maybe the reason that we are not reaching the world with the Gospel is because we are too busy making money off it". Hmm.
posted by julia at 10:40 p.m.
7 Comments:
Hey Julia, I'm with you in your moment of weakness. Good thing is you read it with your brain in gear. I avoid those like the plague for just the reasons you stated- well said.
going into those stores always made me feel really uncomfortable, especially when you walk in and are greeted by a stand-ie of Chuck Norris (or some WWF wrestler, or ex sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll person) who just became a christian, and wants you to buy his book telling you about his life
Julia,
Thanks for telling it like it is--I have been complaining about (and boycotting for exactly those reasons) stores like that for some time. I am so sick of the crap that they peddle and the fact that so many evangelicals lap it up like Purina Puppy Chow without thinking about the fact that it is complete garbage. I am not surprised that I don't identify to well with contemporary Christianity and feel uncomfortable in church because I find so much cheesiness and ridiculousness that has nothing to do with authentic faith. I am now just blabbering, but you get my drift! Hope you are well and keep on rockin' against The Man...
Hmmm. I feel sad that some people have such negative feelings for the christian book stores. Although for some reason, (probably in a quick moment of fondness for the questioner) I receive the flyers in my mailbox from time to time and I have learned after I read one, (like Julia), that I will not be making this a regular part of my reading routine, I still love my local christian book store.
In fact, both my husband and I have very nostalgic feelings for ours here in Vic and for the family that runs it.
When Warren and I were dating (sorry, I think this will be a long comment) we spent a lot of time together at the christian book store looking at music (cassette tapes) and bibles (we loved those leather bound bibles and the smell of the new pages). Warren would often give his away and need a new one.
Over the years the christian book store for us has been a place to connect with other christians and even now we still meet people there out of the blue that we haven't seen for years. We also used to check the bulletin board for the latest concert that was coming and local events happening.
So for us, the christian book store will always hold a dear place in our hearts- even besides the fact that it sells a lot of paraphernalia that we raise our eyebrows at. It's all part of the experience.
I stopped going into the christian book store when I went in one day to find a table full of Jesus action figures on display!
We used to call it "The-Jesus-Junk-and-holy-hardware-store".......I think that it was the "Test-a-mints" that finally got to me....
I qualify that last comment by adding that ANY store, regardless of the 'faith-flavour-of the-month' is prone to 'marketing techniques' and their hype.
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