<\/p>\n
Consumerism: Rampant and Dangerous<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/photo-of-discount-sign-2529787-cropped.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Consumerism is \"Having\" instead of \"Being\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is \"Consumerism\"?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Simply, but elegantly put: consumerism<\/a><\/span> is a style of life directed towards \"having\" rather than \"being\". It is a \"web of false and superficial gratifications.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Consumerism a Problem?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Let us count the ways...<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism harms the person:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Consumerism leads to \"attitudes and life styles... which are objectively improper and often damaging to [our] physical and spiritual health\"; <\/span>(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Weakens the development and stability of personal relationships\"; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Prevents man\u2019s growth as a human being\"; <\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment\"; <\/span>(Pope Francis, 222)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Leads us to \"shut out others\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- We \"become not the lords and masters but the slaves of material wealth\". (Pope Pius XII, 1a)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Consumerism harms the country:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- \"Nations can fall prey to\u2026soul stifling materialism\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Distorts family bonds\u201d; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Leads to \"excessive promotion of purely utilitarian values\";<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 29)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Creates \u201cdissension and disunity\u201d; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Jeopardizes\u201d our \u201ccollective fulfillment\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Creates a situation where \"[h]uman beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.\" (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nCatholic social teaching invites society to a serious review of its lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
However...<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching is clear: \"It is not wrong to want to live better, what is wrong is a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts, cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The \u2018answer\u2019 to consumerism is found in faith because: \"once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe need to ask ourselves: \"Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching invites society, \"to a serious review of its lifestyle, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching calls for a great deal of educational and cultural work, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Education of consumers in responsible choices;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Formation of a strong sense of responsibility among producers and especially among the mass media;<\/span><\/li>\n
- The \"necessary\" intervention by public authorities regards drug use, pornography and \"other forms of consumerism which exploit the frailty of the weak\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nIn Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The individualism of our postmodern society and globalized era favors a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships and distorts family bonds\". (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe goal of Catholic social teaching is for life styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness, and communion with others for the sake of the common good will determine consumers\u2019 choices, savings, and investments. (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism and the Environment<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHoliday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Consumerism<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Consumerism is \"Having\" instead of \"Being\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is \"Consumerism\"?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Simply, but elegantly put: consumerism<\/a><\/span> is a style of life directed towards \"having\" rather than \"being\". It is a \"web of false and superficial gratifications.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Consumerism a Problem?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Let us count the ways...<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism harms the person:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Consumerism leads to \"attitudes and life styles... which are objectively improper and often damaging to [our] physical and spiritual health\"; <\/span>(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Weakens the development and stability of personal relationships\"; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Prevents man\u2019s growth as a human being\"; <\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment\"; <\/span>(Pope Francis, 222)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Leads us to \"shut out others\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- We \"become not the lords and masters but the slaves of material wealth\". (Pope Pius XII, 1a)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Consumerism harms the country:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- \"Nations can fall prey to\u2026soul stifling materialism\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Distorts family bonds\u201d; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Leads to \"excessive promotion of purely utilitarian values\";<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 29)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Creates \u201cdissension and disunity\u201d; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Jeopardizes\u201d our \u201ccollective fulfillment\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Creates a situation where \"[h]uman beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.\" (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nCatholic social teaching invites society to a serious review of its lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
However...<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching is clear: \"It is not wrong to want to live better, what is wrong is a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts, cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The \u2018answer\u2019 to consumerism is found in faith because: \"once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe need to ask ourselves: \"Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching invites society, \"to a serious review of its lifestyle, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching calls for a great deal of educational and cultural work, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Education of consumers in responsible choices;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Formation of a strong sense of responsibility among producers and especially among the mass media;<\/span><\/li>\n
- The \"necessary\" intervention by public authorities regards drug use, pornography and \"other forms of consumerism which exploit the frailty of the weak\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nIn Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The individualism of our postmodern society and globalized era favors a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships and distorts family bonds\". (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe goal of Catholic social teaching is for life styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness, and communion with others for the sake of the common good will determine consumers\u2019 choices, savings, and investments. (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism and the Environment<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHoliday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Consumerism<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Simply, but elegantly put: consumerism<\/a><\/span> is a style of life directed towards \"having\" rather than \"being\". It is a \"web of false and superficial gratifications.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Why is Consumerism a Problem?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Let us count the ways...<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism harms the person:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Consumerism leads to \"attitudes and life styles... which are objectively improper and often damaging to [our] physical and spiritual health\"; <\/span>(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Weakens the development and stability of personal relationships\"; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Prevents man\u2019s growth as a human being\"; <\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/li>\n
- \"Prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment\"; <\/span>(Pope Francis, 222)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Leads us to \"shut out others\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- We \"become not the lords and masters but the slaves of material wealth\". (Pope Pius XII, 1a)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Consumerism harms the country:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- \"Nations can fall prey to\u2026soul stifling materialism\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Distorts family bonds\u201d; (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Leads to \"excessive promotion of purely utilitarian values\";<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 29)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Creates \u201cdissension and disunity\u201d; (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- \"Jeopardizes\u201d our \u201ccollective fulfillment\"; (Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Creates a situation where \"[h]uman beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.\" (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nCatholic social teaching invites society to a serious review of its lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
However...<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching is clear: \"It is not wrong to want to live better, what is wrong is a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts, cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The \u2018answer\u2019 to consumerism is found in faith because: \"once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWe need to ask ourselves: \"Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching invites society, \"to a serious review of its lifestyle, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching calls for a great deal of educational and cultural work, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Education of consumers in responsible choices;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Formation of a strong sense of responsibility among producers and especially among the mass media;<\/span><\/li>\n
- The \"necessary\" intervention by public authorities regards drug use, pornography and \"other forms of consumerism which exploit the frailty of the weak\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nIn Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The individualism of our postmodern society and globalized era favors a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships and distorts family bonds\". (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe goal of Catholic social teaching is for life styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness, and communion with others for the sake of the common good will determine consumers\u2019 choices, savings, and investments. (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism and the Environment<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHoliday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Consumerism<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Let us count the ways...<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Consumerism harms the person:<\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching invites society to a serious review of its lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts, cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\n We need to ask ourselves: \"Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching invites society, \"to a serious review of its lifestyle, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences.\" (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching calls for a great deal of educational and cultural work, including:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The goal of Catholic social teaching is for life styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness, and communion with others for the sake of the common good will determine consumers\u2019 choices, savings, and investments. (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Consumerism and the Environment<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Holiday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n
Consumerism harms the country:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
However...<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Catholic social teaching is clear: \"It is not wrong to want to live better, what is wrong is a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The \u2018answer\u2019 to consumerism is found in faith because: \"once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.\" (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n
In Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The individualism of our postmodern society and globalized era favors a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships and distorts family bonds\". (Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t