The direct consequences of a market driven society have interpersonal and intrapersonal implications. Interpersonally, the person can become frustrated by the stress of defining oneself by the “things” he or she can acquire. The financial burden is also problematic. But most significantly, the individual blocks the flow of productive human and spiritual development as they lock him or herself into an immature development stage. Intrapersonally, the individual is inhibited in his or her ability to relate to diverse populations and have empathy for those who are lacking. It also can create community and communication that is superficial. For adolescents this is less significant of a problem because the goal at 15 years old is to simply learn to communicate, not to necessarily develop strong and appropriate interpersonal relationships, but by the time those teens become adults who have been shaped and so strongly influenced by these values it makes it difficult to form intimacy. It also has the financial implications of inhibiting social justice as money and resources go to maintain individual identity development rather than promote social responsibility. But the real problem with this goes far beyond the direct consequences of a market driven society. The real affects of this situation is that the values of society are directed by trivial issues rather than meaningful goals and values.
Technology offers a good example of how the market place is negatively affecting society. There is no doubt that advances in technology have been prolific. Improved health care, scientific discovery, and even interpersonal communication are but just a few of the ways that technology has advanced society. And that, in fact, is the goal of technology: to improve society. But with all the advances that technology has brought it has simultaneously hindered cultural progress. The iPhone gives an individual the opportunity to manage a vast amount of information and entertainment in a convenient, pocket sized devise. However, the “app” mentality causes people to demand information and entertainment immediately. The phone and texting capacity give us the illusion we are interacting with others. And the digital music isolates us from the world. Technology such as the iPhone and cell phone might connect us to the world, but it also separates us from our environment. I love technology. But the purpose of it is to make our lives better, not to replace our lives with a digital version of culture. The threat is that it becomes a substitute for the things that it is supposed to enhance.
The church is also susceptible to the influences of a market shaping society. As churches, in their attempt to remain relevant to whatever demographic they typically serve, spend money on church growth products the available income for socially minded ventures is limited. But it isn’t just social programs that suffer. The individual church member is inundated with technology, speakers, studies, trips, and on and on. The church is pouring thousands of dollars of Christian culture into each individual member. This eventually can lead to members measuring their commitment to the church as a monetary value per member. The real philosophical problem then appears as believers then rate their commitment to God on the same basis. There may be lessons from the pulpit about simplicity, charity, and sacrifice, but the actions of the church contradict these values as they attempt to pour as many resources into the congregation as possible. The bigger the church the greater the resources are per person. The ruling church has the greatest potential to increase their revenue because they have the greatest resources to spend.
This is not a call to any specific economic system. I no more advocate for socialism than capitalism. In fact, I believe capitalism provides the greatest potential for societal development. However, it is a warning against any church culture being shaped by the American economic system. Values must be shaped by virtues. And culture must be shaped by those values. This simply isn’t because we have a social responsibility to take care of those without, even though we do, but because our identity is far too fragile to be shaped by anything that can manipulate and exploit us. As I deconstruct my modern world view I am becoming increasingly aware of how I have been shaped by media, technology, and what is fashionable. The postmodern world allows the opportunity to embrace a more authentic identity based on more meaningful insight and diverse perspectives. Our theology no longer needs to be subject to what is consumable, but what is true.
No comments:
Post a Comment