2. (1) I want to remember the profound effect of society on my values. Society, through advertising, tells me constantly who I need to be, what I need to look like, and on a larger scale, that looks determine who I am, and the things that I have determine my place in society, and that if no one notices me or likes me, I have no value. Society has replaced religion, so that buying is our culture’s primary ritual, a unifying force, and “malls are our cathedrals of consumption,” according to Fr. John Kavanaugh in his video on advertising. To avoid these values forced upon one, one must turn inward and become whom they ought to be truly-become oneself.
(2) I also want to remember, related to the first point, that my actions reflect my values. Do I spend all my time getting and spending money and things as a homo economicus, or do I seek wisdom and knowledge as a homo sapiens? If my education is affected negatively by my work or other commitments, I am not truly seeking wisdom, and am almost wasting my time and money at St. Louis U. High. If I choose to use my time either spending or getting money, I clearly value it more than education. I should strive to want less, work less, and learn more.
(3) Finally, I want to remember that without God, morality is relative. Without God having determined what is right and wrong, morality is defined by the individual, or followed by the individual who trusts another’s determined morality. Thus, without God, one could do anything she wanted and need not feel guilty for her actions, ever. Therefore, if I act contrary to the morality laid down by the church, I am acting without belief in God, for I am determining my own morality. If my religion does not affect the way I think, feel, and act, I have no Faith in that religion.
3. A picture reminding me of the section is one from the film, “Crisis of Faith,” which talked about the need to turn inward and make a personal journey to become oneself, and thereby avoid becoming someone defined by society.
5. To make myself a better person from this section, I will constantly evaluate my motives for buying products, and get only the money and things that I need, rather than those that I want. I will ask for less this Christmas, try to limit my overconsumption of things. In the place of the things I will avoid will be self-examination, and prayer, and a growing commitment to what I truly believe coming from an increasing clarification to myself of what I do truly believe.