Consuming Religion

Book Description

In a culture where everything becomes a product to be consumed, how does this mindset reshape our most sacred beliefs and practices? Vincent Jude Miller tackles this pressing question by examining the subtle but profound ways consumer culture transforms religious experience itself.

Drawing from nearly a century of scholarship on consumerism, Miller reveals that the real challenge isn't simply our consumption of material goods. Instead, he argues that consumer culture trains us to approach all aspects of life, including spirituality, through the lens of consumption. This perspective fundamentally alters how we engage with religious traditions, turning sacred practices into commodities to be selected, sampled, and discarded at will.

The book traces the evolution from a culture of commodities to the commodification of culture itself, showing how Western consumer patterns have reshaped religious belief and practice. Miller's analysis spans diverse cultural touchstones, from contemporary music and popular films to influential social theorists, creating a comprehensive picture of this cultural transformation.

Along the way, he explores phenomena like religious celebrity culture across different faith traditions, offering insights into how spiritual authority and authenticity are redefined in consumer terms. For readers seeking to understand how modern culture influences their spiritual journey, this work provides essential perspective on navigating faith in an age of endless choices and marketed spirituality.