Exclusive Clip: 'What Would Jesus Buy?'

I don't think that the point is about shopping where it is a necessity (like for food) but shopping as a hobby. Some people shop to find meaning in their life. (My mom is one of those people-- shopping is her major pasttime. She buys new curtains EVERY WEEK!) Those people probably should give it a rest, put some money in the bank, maybe give some to charity, and maybe look within to find out why they need another tablecloth or a 75th pair of shoes. IMO, which counts for very little.

I think you're right, Mia.

I did not get the point...I think it was just mockery! I can understand the concept of not shopping ALL the time, but the point was lost because he seem to be jeering and mocking, and it looked fake.

CHRISTMAS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABOUT " JESUS CHRIST ". I, AS A ROMAN CATHOLIC, CELEBRATE CHRIST BIRTH.

Dear Tim,

I appreciate your comprehensive list of concerns about the film and I’d like to take some time to respectfully address them, especially because I admire beliefnet a great deal and would be honored to contribute to the discussion here.

I'm not sure what you were referring to when you mention us featuring "self-indulgent, behind-the-scenes looks at [our] own making"...unless you're referring to when we were all (cast and crew) nearly killed by a truck, which we eventually decided to include in the film, briefly, because it was an extremely significant event on a road trip that we were documenting. I believe it would have been quite disingenuous and misleading if we hadn't included it.

Regarding your concern as to whether or not this can be called a "documentary", that's a good question. While the Rev Billy, his Church and his mission are sincerely spiritual, not a joke or a mockery, we obviously did document some performances in addition to straight observational actuality; the crew did participate with the cast in some logistical and creative planning, and of course one of our clearly stated goals was to be entertaining and funny as well as informative. For these reasons, we are generally referring to the film as a "docu-comedy". I certainly do believe that we qualify under the “legal” documentary definition of “presenting political, social, or historical subject matter in a factual and informative manner”, but would completely understand if you would prefer your documentaries to be more along the lines of “expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation” which we are surely not.

Regarding Black Friday and Christmas shopping in general being necessary for our economy and general well being, I'm somewhat surprised that you don't have more faith in the durability and versatility of American Capitalism. We didn't rely on this Christmas shopping bubble until the late 1800's, when Christmas first started to be marketed by consumer capitalists blurring the distinction between wants and needs.

As we mention in the film, we now spend over 15 billion dollars a year in marketing just to our children, who in turn spend over 40 hours a week engaged in media and witness 3,000 advertising events per day. 60 percent of us are in long term debt on our credit cards. Our personal savings rate is below zero. The gap between rich and poor in America is still increasing. And we produce five million tons of extra waste from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.

There are other ways of measuring an economy than an ever-rising GDP. For example there is a system known as the GPI, for Genuine Progress Indicator, which distinguishes between things like income and capital depletion; enjoyment of life and production of goods; the cost of crime, erosion, pollution and depletion, before determining whether progress is actually being achieved.

Many specialists assert that at our present rate of consumption we will need three planets to sustain us. And there are three billion more people on the way over the next 40 years. So what exactly is the true cost of relying on a surge in shopping at Christmastime?

Finally, regarding what you call "an uncanny irony in the fact that considerable money was invested" in making and distributing the film, I'd agree that it's definitely ironic. “We burned fuel to get here today children, we’re all sinners, it’s complicated”, says the Reverend. But uncanny? We have spent money, and a very great deal of collective time and effort, trying to get a message out to a large audience. We are indeed asking people to buy a ticket to see a film, (whether screened in a local independent theater or, when unavoidable, in a mall), in the hopes that our film will continue to inspire some of us to think about our buying differently forever; To learn more about the story behind the product. To vote with our dollars. To get out of debt as soon as we can. To spend more time with our loved ones. To give to people most in need with what we save by slowing down our shopping, even a little, this Christmas. To remember what the holidays truly mean to us, and to live by those standards all year long.

Thank you very much and Merry Christmas,

Rob VanAlkemade

Director, "What Would Jesus Buy?"

www.wwjbmovie.com