I read this blog, and a few days ago he made this post:
As Americans we make up 5% of the worlds population.
As Americans we consume 30% of the worlds resources.
That should not sit well.
Well, last night, I couldn't sleep and my mind was racing. A deadly combination. So many thoughts were going through my head, but this post came to mind. So I composed my response in my head and went over it a hundred times. (Why? Why couldn't I think, nice post, now go to sleep!) I was so frustrated with the first 15 or so responses. Everyone piled on the "Ugly Americans" bandwagon.
So here is my very long comment. I received some positive feedback, which I didn't expect from this crowd.
Comment:
I’m not exactly sure what is not supposed to sit well. We consume a lot of resources. We are a very blessed country. We would consume more than our fair share of resources even if we gave almost all of what we have away. Of course if we did that, we would have nothing to give the next time a need arose…
I’m pretty sure we all have on “off” switch on our electrical panels. No one holds a gun to our heads to force us to drive. (Even your hybrid is a ecological nightmare.) Toilet paper is a luxery to most of the world. And do we really need showers when there are perfectly good storm drains available? I hope you don’t need any medications. Those gotta go.
My point is, it’s so easy to rail against generic “consumerism”. Yet it is also a meaningless complaint.
What exactly are we supposed to stop consuming? Would using your left hand instead of tp actually help the poor and disadvantaged? Or would the increased death and disease offset any savings generated?
Perhaps we should strive to live in humble gratefulness to God for His blessing and ask His direction in how He wants us to put them to good use. We can use the resources He has given us to bring His truth and love to the world. Salvation and the death of the sin nature would do more to solve all the world’s problems than driving a (very expensive, resource guzzling) hybrid.
So what do you think? Come on people - I need some love on this one!!
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5 comments:
I understand some of the heart of what you are saying, but I have to push back on ya a bit here. So if you were only hoping for "love" on this one, sorry. ;)
I agree that we have been blessed and can in turn be a blessing. I agree it doesn't mean we should drive and always feel guilty about it. But how much of that consumption is really just those "necessities" you sited? Perhaps there are people around you in your world view who are using some of their resources to help, but let's look honestly at our culture as a whole. Let's look at how much we consume on entertainment. Who are the people that we turn into idols? How often do we HAVE to buy new clothes before the old ones have even come close to wearing out because there is something cooler this season?
Most of us have enough clothes to go weeks without doing laundry while there are people without necessities in India, a place where I've been able to see the poverty first hand and had my heart broken. I'm not trying to point fingers only at others...I am guilty too. I think I am fairly aware and try to make a difference, and a lot of that has to do with my Christian worldview, however I would say that it is not even on the radar of most Americans.
So while I see some of where you are coming from, I have to disagree overall. If I can challenge you on a thought from a different comment, I tend to think we should be more concerned about poverty than the content of movies and media. Shouldn't it be a lot more important to see others fed than be concerned that we heard a bad word or a sexual inuendo?
I know you well enough to really appreciate your heart and respect your thoughts, so I'm open to the discussion. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts. Thanks for starting the discussion here. ;)
As for me...at this point I agree. It doesn't really sit well, and never has. i love our country too, and am glad to be born here. But I know that doesn't make us always right.
If everyone really stopped "consuming to excess" (whatever that is) then you would see a worldwide recession so quick you would not believe it and if you think poverty in the rest of the world is bad, think how bad it would be when the "giving" nations like the USA were unable to prop them up.
A lot of the worldwide poverty is not a result of a lack of natural resources, it is rather the result of corrupt governments. Not all of it of course but a significant portion.
Dave
I don't think America is always right just because we are American. I think however that our blessings have been turned into a source of guilt by too many in an unthinking manner. Statistics show time and again that Americans are the most generous people on the Earth. We bless because we are blessed - by and large.
Why do I care about content in TV and movies? It reflects our national character. It reflects what we find important. It reflects what we find acceptable and normative. And I am concerned when we raise generation of children to think that what they see on TV is normal and good. I'm not talking about bad words and innuendo. I'm talking about that very "consumer" society you are worried about. The one that says stuff will make you happy. Sex with anyone will make you happy. Godlessness will make you happy.
I have a huge problem with someone blogging that we are too consumeristic on a Mac. Sorry. Recognize your blessings. Thank God for what you have. Bless others.
Love ya Bobby!
Hey there, gotta chime in on this one.
1st - where did these stats come from? Oprah? Gimme a break - she is not a reliable reference for any statistical data - (can you smell an AGENDA).
What percentage of the world's resources come from us in the US? You consume more to make more...
According to the lates economic statistics, America contributes nearly 21% of the WORLD GDP. Only China is close enough to knock on that statistic as they produce nearly 14%.
So let's look at both statistics:
Americans make up 5% of the worlds population yet are responsible for 21% of the WORLDS GDP.
That should NOT sit well.
So, If I see read that right, other than China, all other countries are CONSUMING OUR resources!
Simply quoting a statistic to GUILT people into feeling bad is WRONG. Is that statistic supposed to make me want to give up 'consuming' my resources so that someone living in Africa or India can use them?
According to these statistics - They already are! If your country doesn't contribute to the world's GDP - you consume it!
I cannot side with the blame America first crowd. It does not help people in poverty to refuse the blessings we have been given in this country, in fact it is insulting to them to refuse the very things they are desperately lacking. It might assuage liberal guilt but it doesn't help people in need.
Instead of feeling guilty about America and our blessings we need to share what we have been given. Liberalism tends tries to achieve equality by bringing those at the top down a few levels which does nothing for those at the bottom. Instead, America has consistently shown that we are a generous nation that blesses those in need and actually improves the lives of others. The world needs more countries like ours, not one less.
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