Secular philosophies & Secular philosophies & popular worldviewspopular worldviews

Why do Christians look so odd Why do Christians look so odd to normal people?to normal people?

What is a worldview?

A set of values and assumptions which shape how we understand the world we engage with

Every cultural group has their own worldview which may both overlap with and oppose others in different areas

You can’t see the ground you are standing on. We are often unaware of our own cultural assumptions

“…nobody can be told what the matrix is – you have to see it foryourself.”

popular culture vs. academic philosophy

Pre-modern truth partially knowable, focus supernatural, divinely revealed

Modern truth fully knowable, focus physical world, external observation

Existentialism truth personal, focus on the individual, whatever feels right.

Postmodern truth unknowable, focus on the individual, whatever works for you.

Distrust for all forms of institution:ChurchScienceMilitaryGovernmentFinanceMediaLaw/police

Distrust for Institutions Pick n. Mix Pursuit of happiness Original goodness Spirituality Tolerance Consumerism

ConsumerismConsumerismThe god of choiceThe god of choice

Freedom is choiceFreedom is choice

Culture and identity are deeply connected.Culture and identity are deeply connected. Individual existential ‘feeling’ with post-modern Individual existential ‘feeling’ with post-modern

‘function’ = addiction‘function’ = addiction

Without a fixed foundation for reality, we seek to Without a fixed foundation for reality, we seek to create our identity from the things we do and the create our identity from the things we do and the products we consume.products we consume.

““You can see the religious root in advertising. You can see the religious root in advertising.

‘‘Buy this product and you’ll be saved’.”Buy this product and you’ll be saved’.”James TwitchellJames Twitchell

Freedom is choiceFreedom is choice

Companies don’t sell products, they sell Companies don’t sell products, they sell values.values.

What qualities do brands embody?What qualities do brands embody? Apple, “Think different”Apple, “Think different” Google, “Don’t do evil”Google, “Don’t do evil” Microsoft, “Where do you want to go today?” Microsoft, “Where do you want to go today?” Harley – “True religion”Harley – “True religion”

Freedom is choiceFreedom is choice

Religion as a product has been restricted to Religion as a product has been restricted to sorting out what happens when we die.sorting out what happens when we die.

Spirituality as a product sorts out fulfilment Spirituality as a product sorts out fulfilment in this lifein this life

Consumerism uses the levers of spiritual Consumerism uses the levers of spiritual fulfilment + addictive behaviour to offer fulfilment + addictive behaviour to offer identity and salvation through product identity and salvation through product consumptionconsumption

Harley DavidsonHarley Davidson

Harley DavidsonHarley Davidson

The God brandThe God brand Existence of God is not really a questionExistence of God is not really a question Which god and why?Which god and why? God brand associations:God brand associations:

CruelCruel BigotedBigoted SexistSexist Distant/absentDistant/absent ??????

questionsquestions