Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Stephen Bates writes an interesting article about Christian merchandise. An excerpt: But times change, and so do Christians. According to a Barna Research survey in 2000, born-again Christians are just as likely as other Americans to have cable TV, VCRs, DVD players, and satellite dishes. "Born-again adults," the study reports, "spend an average of seven times more hours each week watching television than they do participating in spiritual pursuits such as Bible reading, prayer, and worship." Why not follow the flock? I wonder whether this is less true of people my age. I honestly believe that people in their 20s watch much less television than our parents. I have been told that I assume that I am more typical of my peer group than I actually am, but this is the same pattern I observe among my friends. Television is banal, and a whole lot of us recognize it. I would guess that among the regular attenders at my church (which is almost entirely twentysomethings), perhaps half of us spend more time participating in "spiritual pursuits", or at least church-centered community activities, than we spend in front of the tube. Why? Are we really that pious? No, we're not. We just like going to church better than watching primetime. 1:49:44 PM    comment []

What I would like for Christmas: I have had several people ask me what I would like for Christmas this year, and I really haven't been able to give a good response. In my tiny apartment, the last thing I need is more stuff. CDs, books, and DVDs are always nice, as are comfy argyle socks (greens, grays, or browns). But there is nothing that I would really like, except maybe a Braun electric razor. I suppose some new pants are always welcome. So are flannel shirts (medium). But today, I finally came up with a good idea! I would like to go snowshoeing/XC skiing in Michigan. How fun would that be! Oh, I can see it now -- hours out on the trails, watching the lovely fauna dance about the icy landscape. The cold, clean air drying my face and purifying my lungs. Coming back to the lodge for some Earl Gray and a snifter of Grand Marnier. What a trip! 11:35:46 AM    comment []