But Wait! There's More!
Seth Godin says that all marketers are liars. If that's true (I think it is), then whoever produces those infomercials is the worst of them. I've never seen an infomercial that didn't insult our intelligence at every level- from the poor "acting" to the pseudo-talkshow format, it just reeks of disingenuousness.
The worst part of an infomercial isn't the lie they tell (namely, that for five easy payments of $19.99, whatever garage sale fodder they're hawking will make your life easier, healthier, and more effecient), it's the lie they don't even bother to tell: that the testimonial of their "celebrity" spokesperson is anything more than a paid advertisment.
Why does a paid endorsement mean less than one that is volunteered? Why is it considered an ethical issue when an author of a review fails to disclose his relationship to the product?
Sometimes I feel like my life is an infomercial for Jesus.
5 comments:
It was that very feeling that plagued me for years in the ministry, like I was some kind huckster selling a pyramid scheme. I'm glad those days are over for me
watchman
Does this mean we can look forward to seeing you in spandex on an exercise machine in the near future?
I agree with your post as far as I understand it. We don't pay our pastors or church workers here for that reason. As far as the fact that I get a salary goes... well, I could earn a lot more and be a lot warmer this winter if I stayed home.
I thought about this exact thing the other day when reading 2 Cor. 4:2: "We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this."
Nah, I've seen what you do. You're not a gospel pimp. You're giving away the real deal.
Wow Stepchild, this sounds so eerily like a conversation I had with some good friends a few days ago. After reading the comments by others it seems like this may be something the Body is really having to work through right now.
Something stuck me after reading the last comment by Paul. He says your not a "gospel pimp". I'd agree with that. My question though is have you--have we-- become gospel whores? What I mean, is a whore gives "it" away for a profession. Yet what is given is devoid of love and truth. It is something base and hollow. Ultimately it becomes something destructive rather than beautiful and life-giving. Is that what's happened with the gospel? And are we being the ones pimped out?
I know that sounds harsh, and I'm sorry. Please know I'm not trying to be disrespectful, antagonistic or even controversial. I just think it might be wise for us, for me, to reevaluate some things.
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