15 years ago it was a 68 automag paintball gun; 10 years ago it was a Calphalon cooking wear set; 5 years ago it was the New International Commentary Series set for the New Testament; now it’s a Trek equinox Triathlon Bike.  I am amazed how my dream list has changed over the years.  I wonder how my dream list will change in 5 years.  Will I
even care about the Triathlon Bike 5 years from now?  I am amazed at how strong my desire for a certain item is in the moment, but if I just give it time I end up wondering what the big fuss was all about for that material item.  It doesn’t take a columnist, an economist, or some pious pastor to inform us that materialism has a strong pull on
us within American culture.  The question remains: if we know we will lose interest in an item over the years, why don’t we invest in something that will have a long lasting effect?

The facts of American materialism are pretty dismal: Americans spend more money on Nike shoes and personal fitness trainers than on all federal elections combined.  In 1968 the average American’s personal debt was equal to 63% of their disposable income, and in 2000 it had risen to 106% . Our giving to humanitarian aid such as digging wells overseas, money for malaria vaccine, educational books for those who can’t afford them doesn’t look good either.  America gives about .32% of its national income (private and government aid) to overseas aid. That is less than half of the world’s wealthiest countries, and that is only counting those countries government aid.

Before I start sounding like Sally Struthers (that actress from All in the Family who tells us to give money to needy children in Africa)  and you change the channel and start feeling guilty and kicking yourself and your fellow suburbanites for being so selfish, know this.  We do admit we have a problem.  In fact 69% of Americans think materialism has become a serious problem in our culture.  This still leaves me with a nagging question: If we know we have a problem and we know things will not last, why are we as a culture driven by having stuff?

Whether you are poverty stricken or living the high life, giving all your money away or keeping it under the mattress, admitting you  have a shopping addiction or don’t, join us in discussing this topic of materialism in the suburbs. To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and theological backgrounds.

When: Tuesday, August 17th 7:30 – 9:00PM
Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

When stepping into the Westminster Recreation Center there is a 48’ inch plasma television that scrolls a list of over 100 activities going on each week; from yoga, to basketball, to retired swim aerobics. You name your athletic or hobby interest and your age demographic and they’ve got it. The choices in our suburb don’t end there; take the bars in just a 2 mile radius from where I live.  There is a pub for the rougher crowd,  the bar for your typical 30’s and 40’s middle class, then you’ve got the Irish pub where everyone knows your name… and then there are also the other two dozen bars in a two mile radius. Like the rec. center there is a bar that fits you . . . even if you are a 37 year old mom with 4 kids . . . there is sure to be another mom that same age with the same amount of kids (probably with one named Ella) at your preset demographic bar.

With so many social activities and so many social places to hang out how can loneliness be a problem in the suburbs? However it seems to be a trend that is only getting worse.   Sociologist from Duke University observed disturbing data in 1985 that 1 in 8 American’s had no one they could confide in and the average American said they had only 3 intimate friends. In just 20 years since that research the trend has gotten worse, now it is 1 in 4 American’s that have no one they can confide in and the average American now says they have only 2 intimate friends.  The research is not far from the anecdotal stories I hear from people. “I don’t get it . . . I have 500 friends on Facebook, I have 200 contacts on my phone, and I am a part of two book clubs and I still don’t have anyone that really knows me.” Why with more of an ability to find friends and keep in touch with friends in the American suburbs, are people lacking from intimacy and are lonely?

Whatever category or demographic you fall into, join us in discussing this topic of loneliness in the suburbs. To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food, and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and Theological backgrounds.

When: Tuesday, July 27th 7:30 – 9:00PM

Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

When England and the Yanks collide for the World Cup some of us might contemplate the rivalry and differences that still divide two tightly wound countries who over 200 years ago battled on American soil instead of the pitch.  Are we that much different?  Is it simply bad teeth, fish and chips, and an ocean that divides us?

One generalization that has been made over hundreds of years is that Americans are the eternal optimists while the British are the realists/cynics but many have observed that difference is waning.  Our perception as Americans that “everything is going to be all right”, “we can keep taking risks now because the future is brighter”, “our kids are going to have a better life” have come into question.  It is hard to think of an institution the majority of Americans do trust: from Wall Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, to Main Street.

While the American suburbs have often ignored or been immunized from the hard realities of American life, over the past 10 years even the suburbs economic optimism has been hit.  Entertainment echoes our underlying thoughts . . . “when is the ball going to drop” from movies like, 2012, Day After Tomorrow, to the invasion of British Films that make us look at the world more realistically: About a Boy, Love Actually, etc.

From bad mortgages, to the work place promising us the world and not delivering, to love not being a fairy tale, has cynicism taken over the suburbs? And if so is that a bad thing?  Maybe you have recently become more cynical, maybe you feel as if you are surrounded by cynics and want to brighten their day, or maybe you want to understand more how the issue of cynicism and theology collide.  Post your thoughts about the invasion of cynicism in the suburbs (stories of what you have observed), even bring your cynicism to a discussion that if you are cynic you think will solve nothing . . . see how you can join the discussion below.
If you are wondering if you are cynic take this quiz and then come join a fellow cynic at our discussion: http://www.i-cynic.com/quiz.asp

To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food, and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and Theological backgrounds.
When: Tuesday, June 15th 7:30 – 9:00PM
Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

2010 – How Do I Know I am Making the Right Choice?

Should I really change careers? Should I buy a house? Should I wear the red or black shoes? Daily we are faced with decisions, whether big or small they can overwhelm us. So how do we make right decisions and how do we know we have made the right one? If there is a God who cares about what choices we make can we make a decision that could take me down the wrong path. If there is a God who knows the future does it even matter what choices I do make? Its these kind of questions we are going to attempt to answer tomorrow night and also come up with practical ways you might look at your decisions and make them. Hope you will join us.

To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food, and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and Theological backgrounds.

When: Tuesday May 18th 7:30 – 9:00PM

Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section)