The median American household has more than 30 cable channels from which to choose. Cinemas operate a dozen or more screens. Spectator and participant sports offer a multitude of options, including hundreds of professional and college games. Our leisure life is highly consumeristic. Of course, there is something to be said for American consumerism.
Choices can be good.
It's one thing to categorize deodorant and used cars as commodities but another to turn friendships, worship of God, education and the rest of our lives into commodities. As Christians we confess that our ultimate rule is that of God, not the U.S. Constitution or American business. 20th century America charges public schools to instill the American way of life. Christians can embrace much of the American way of life. But since World War II, the American way has increasingly become identified with consumerism.