Posted 12/31/08 by mateo
“Unfortunately at the end of this film it seems like Reverend Billy is more concerned about his message and agenda than that of Jesus. An obsession with material goods isn’t much better than an obsession with yourself and your agendas.”
Somewhat valid point, but it seemed to me that Billy was not trying to spread christianity, he was merely using christmas and the whole reverend schtick as a proxy to point out just how ridiculous our consumer society has become and how an event that is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of a (fictional) man who championed charity has been subverted to become a tool of capitalist pigs with the goal of increasing profits and enslaving the world by pacifying the masses with another mind-numbing illusion of necessity, playing on humans natural tendency to compete for status regardless of the cost.
Posted 12/27/08 by ryan
from what i watched, i believe in the message that is being spread by REV. Billy. Sadly i was not able to watch the program to its end. The irony that was provided through the act of hosting commercals (which push us to buy) playing during a anti-shopping documentary is either an accidental irony at best, or an abstract jest on me by corporate pharoahs. I feel as though a cruel joke has been played on myself and my need to destroy a piece of corporate art is rising. Our society is depressing…
Posted 12/26/08 by db
I like the anti-consumerism message of the film. Unfortunately at the end of this film it seems like Reverend Billy is more concerned about his message and agenda than that of Jesus. An obsession with material goods isn’t much better than an obsession with yourself and your agendas.
Posted 12/19/08 by Gene H.
The irony is the commercials necessary to support this site. (Shaking my head)
Posted 12/19/08 by Gene H.
The irony is the commercials necessary to support this site. (Shaking my head)
Posted 12/10/08 by codes
how would “what will Jesus give” be a more appropriate question? He gave his life, isn’t that enough?
Posted 12/09/08 by Hunterswine
Who have we become? What have we become? We have become zombies, we have become clones of an image. Who will listen? Who will learn? Who will make a difference? I will listen, i will learn and we all can make the difference! We are the people and we have the power if we choose it. Thank you for this film. I support you 100%!
Posted 12/08/08 by Howard
A more appropriate question would be--- What will Jesus give.
Posted 12/07/08 by LJ
This was awe-inspiring and eye opening. What a simple message, but one that most people have long forgotten. After years of boycotting Walmart, I am going to look alot more closely at the tags on the clothing I buy and advise my 19 year old daughter to do the same, after I watch this documentary WITH her to make sure she gets it. Seeing the senior citizen commenting on getting apples and oranges and watching her choke up while talking about it made me cry. Many thanks to Rev Billy and all who helped to make this great film. Having it play free on my computer is the icing on the cake. This year, I think many of us are going to have no choice but to bring back the Christmases of long ago due to financial hardshps. I do not want to go into more debt to give my grandchildren something made in China, or in some sweatshop.
Posted 12/06/08 by Barb
The film was free to view...and I loved it. For the humor...and the tears. I’m not much of a consumer...I’ve boycotted Walmart for years...but he drove home the point about supporting each other buy shopping locally and thinking about why we give what we give. Bravo to Billy, his choir and band. Thanks for enduring so much to bring your message. Definitely more than a comedy routine.
Posted 12/05/08 by cc
WOW! Finally someone speaks out, above all costs and reprocutions. I agree with this film, and only hope and pray that our country can give back, and go back to what Cristmas is really all about. A child is born and His name was Jesus! Our Savior!
Posted 12/05/08 by jef
Since the first cavemen began telling ghost stories around the fire, organized religion has maintained it’s position in the tool belt of manipulative parasites, governmental bodies, and private enterprise, as the preferred device for gathering currency, performing sexually perverse acts, and social economical enslavement.
The magic of the season I once immersed myself in as a child has withered away and cast as dust into the winds. Not even witnessing my own children experiencing Christmas year after year has changed this.
Aside from Christmas, I too am a zombie consumer as I love buying s#@t!
Posted 12/05/08 by Eve
Happy Holidays means: Happy Holy Days! Get a grip, it means the same thing. This guy is expoitative the same way that the stores are. This movie has ads all through out it. He is making money by making this bogus “stop shopping” film. Jesus wouldn’t buy this guys church either.
Posted 12/04/08 by jon
For the first and only time I agree with the christian conservatives. Christmas is way too materialistic. People are constantly offended when they a don’t get that gift they desire. No one life is worth a nintendo wii or a cheaper tv. Although I don’t believe in God and don’t agree with other evangelical views on Gay marriage, abortion, and the fact that they will condemn me to hell for not accepting jesus christ in my heart, I can actually agree with them on this issue.
Posted 12/04/08 by winston
I still remember as a child saying merry christmas! Not happy holidays!!!
This world is all greed look at our goverment,wall street,car companys,Now they are going to use Jesus name to sell more.As stated above very thought provoking but we lost this country years ago by puttin our heads in the sand,Lets not to it with religon
Posted 12/04/08 by Jackie Aspito
The idea is right on, but it is too intense. Needs to be shortened and put on tv for everyone to see. Can’t believe the commercials. The Christmas spirit is lost in all the commercialism. It is a time of giving to those who need.
Posted 12/04/08 by Irene
Great idea, but I had to turn it off after 15 minutes. That reverend was just crazy! No offense to him, but I found him to be quite bizarre. I mean… his hair was died… really?
Posted 12/04/08 by Saeed
Excellent and thought provoking movie.To Alex who said unkind things about The Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ The Messiah, rest assured that you will incur the wrath of God for your unkind comments.To the other person that commented about Allah, know that this is Arabic for God.
I am a Muslim and any offensive comments against God and His blessed Prophet Jesus and His beloved Mother Mary offends me.
Peace and understanding to all.
Posted 12/04/08 by jeano
So, Andrew, as capitalists we MUST spend, spend, spend and go into debt??? THAT makes for a strong country? Right! I don’t know who this preacher guy is or if he is making money out of this or not. Doesn’t matter. The message here is that as a country we are in extreme debt due to our overzealous spending. What do you suggest we do?
Posted 12/04/08 by Lizzie
This is a very entertaining documentary. It follows a group of people as they criss cross the country and try to spread the word that giving and love should not be about shopping and overconsumption.
Andrew - He IS a real preacher of a unitarian church. He is also an activist, but there are many preachers who are activists as well.
Tim - You obviously have not seen the movie. The preacher is not an evangelical. And the movie is about raising awareness, not raising money.
Posted 12/04/08 by CJ
If you thought this was entertaining in the least....have your head checked.
We’re really pushing the envelope on mocking God in this country. I’m wondering why we don’t do a few parradies mocking Allah....maybe because you fear getting your head cut off?
Think about it…
There’s really nothing negative or harmful about Christianity. Christians believe in a very loving God and this is the season most Christians celebrate the brith of Jesus Christ...which has nothing to do with shopping.
Mocking someone’s religion is not funny...it’s hateful
Posted 12/04/08 by emily
this film would have been a lot more important if rev. billy wasn’t the focus. all this film was, was watching him go on tour to tell people how terrible shopping is. try to actually get more credible sources that can really relay the information to the audience.
Posted 12/04/08 by Andrew
This is NOT a real preacher. It is the stage name and persona of left-wing anti-capitalism activist who organizes rallies and other events.
Posted 12/04/08 by tim
I wonder how much profit they are making off the movie? And how much of that profit will find it’s way to the poor versus how much will go into the evangelists’ pockets.
Posted 12/04/08 by carissa
i see that many are brain washed by this corrupted society!!
Posted 12/04/08 by Jim
It’s humorous to see people speculate, pontificate, and profit off of the famous. If you really want to know what Jesus would buy, look in His Word. Look at His life! Stop trying to imagine what He would think or do or buy or say in today’s time.
By the way, alex, thanks for your “genius” contribution. If ever there was evidence that we truly need Jesus in our lives today, it is the drivel of people like this.
Posted 12/04/08 by Larry Lubell
I understand that the whole “commercialism” of Christmas misses much of the message.Yes, Jesus was right to toss the tables of the money lenders and others conducting business in the temple complex. Keep in mind, he did not find fault with people trying to make a living, just not in a holy place.
There is nothing in the writings of Jesus that would lead me to believe that he would find any fault with a worker at best buy trying to make a living , even understanding that selling Christmas gifts is an import part of that business.
What would anger Jesus would be all of these Televangelists using his name to get rich! Even the those people whose tables Jesus overturned, had the decency not to try to make money in the Temple it’s self, or to try to get a “Plug” during the service.
http://www.urbannewsblog.com
Posted 12/04/08 by Larry Lubell
I understand that the whole “commercialism” of Christmas misses much of the message.Yes, Jesus was right to toss the tables of the money lenders and others conducting business in the temple complex. Keep in mind, he did not find fault with people trying to make a living, just not in a holy place.
There is nothing in the writings of Jesus that would lead me to believe that he would find any fault with a worker at best buy trying to make a living , even understanding that selling Christmas gifts is an import part of that business.
What would anger Jesus would be all of these Televangelists using his name to get rich! Even the those people whose tables Jesus overturned, had the decency not to try to make money in the Temple it’s self, or to try to get a “Plug” during the service.
http://www.urbannewsblog
Posted 12/04/08 by stranger
The principle of the movie was great. We need to remember the real meaning of Christmas. Keep Christ in Christmas
Posted 12/04/08 by alex
I raped the virgin mary and hung the bastard christ.. 666
Posted 12/04/08 by sharin
Posted 11/20/08 by Myles
carola: You don’t think obsessive seasonal shopping is “wrong”?
maybe you think mickey mouse is YOUR FRIEND?!?!?
I cast the rodent demon out of you child, and may your soul b $aved from the tyranny of the corporate grip on your tender brain! amen.
we need you Reverend Billy. praise frugality. amen brotha.
Posted 09/26/08 by Kirstilia Hcaorssor
Hillarious in a really twisted way. Americans are becoming really sad aren’t we?
Posted 09/05/08 by Wyll D Sarge
It seems this movie reveals a parallel with Jesus’ story to a certain extent. Rev. Billy upsets the tables of money lenders as it were and society treats him harshly for causing a disturbance while people shop. I also think the film catches an interesting aspect of space in America. With zoning laws the way they are in cities, where can you go to preach a message anymore?
Posted 09/01/08 by carola wollenschlager
pretty neat, but man i thought i was messed up. wow! people can really lose it when they think they’re “right”.
Posted 08/27/08 by Meg
rev. billy has a great point...but is it really necessary to go on for an hour and a half? it just seemed to drag on and on. i get the point already.
Posted 08/15/08 by Wyll D Sarge
I had a hard time getting past the first fifteen minutes, but then I started taking Reverend Billy serious for a moment. He is a brave man teaching the word. The film itself delivers the message of shopping wisely effective. An interesting piece.
Posted 08/11/08 by Jonny
How ironic that snagfilms has littered this piece with adds. Impossible to watch.
Posted 08/04/08 by J Fowler
I am floored. The Reverend Billy Crusade against hyper-consumerism is an incredible endeavor. The mix of protest, entertainment, and radical activism is a winning mix. I was gratefully offended, shocked, and deeply moved by the contrast presented here between the Corporate run, zombie nation of hyper-consumerism and a small band of unorthodox activists giving their all to propel the grassroots conscious consumerism movement to the forefront of the American mind.
A bold-faced wrench thrown in the consumerist machine, this film has reinforced our growing opposition to the mainstream American materialism that is driving us all mad.
-J Fowler
Bedford, Virginia
http://www.SustainableTraditions.com
Posted 07/29/08 by Morgan
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