Hurry! Buy Christian Crap for Christmas!

Dan Edelen does something I've always wanted to do on this blog: he deconstructs the Family Christian Stores catalog. Well, now I don't have to do it, because Dan did a bang-up job. On the subject of Christmas nativity sets (pages 9-12 in the FCS catalog) he writes:

They’re all made in China, you know. Some young mom in China works seven days a week and sleeps in the factory making images of the Savior for people like us. Does she know what she’s making? When she’s done with her dreary shift, does she resent the Christ child she made? And what of the holy family when the line changes over to making Bratz dolls a month later?

Bang! That hit the target dead-center, Dan. Thanks for the deconstruction!

Build A Bible: The Word as Fashion Accessory

It's pretty easy, and even somewhat beguiling, to scoff at "Christian culture" in America. I don't listen to much Christian contemporary music, go often to Christian concerts, or read Christian fiction, because it all seems rather schlocky to me, and partakes of the same questionable promotional schemes common to non-Christian commercial enterprises.

Nevertheless, as I said, I don't want to make a habit of criticizing all this here at the blog. But (and you had to know that a "but" was coming) I just want to share one particular advertisement with you. It is an ad for something called Build A Bible, put out by Boardman Holman. You've probably already guessed that it's one of those schemes to package the Scriptures in a new, fresh and "comtemporary" way. You know, no more the somber black leather covers. How about a duct tape Bible, a metal Bible, etc. Well, the "Build A Bible" is a "design system" in which you the consumer "customize" your Bible in the color schemes, textures, and accesories of your choice.

Okay, fine, I guess. But here's the actual "copy" from a print ad for this "Bible design system." We have the lovely Jennifer O'Neill holding up a soft green Bible with a brown leather-ish clasp. She's quoted thus:

What I love about my Build A Bible is that it's just so Me! [That's right, a capital M!] It's the perfect fit. Build A Bible lets me personalize my Bible with the cover styles, colors, textures and accesories that make it a statement of who I am and where I am going. Finally, I can change the look and feel of the most important book I own... whenever and where ever I want.

I suppose I shouldn't care. This shouldn't matter to me. But does anyone else feel just a little affronted by this?