So I haven't actually been shopping in a temple. However, I have just been to Westfield London. I don't know whether my new job at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity is giving me a more finely tuned awareness of the culture around me, but I became more and more disgusted as I shopped today. Why?
Well, I started in New Look. I like their clothes, but after about 5 minutes in there I suddenly became conscious of the music playing - after a quick google search just now, identified as 'Pass Out' by Tinie Tempah: "We bring the women and the cars and the cards out / Lets have a toast a celebration get a glass out / And we can do this until we pass out..." Apparently, he lives a 'very very very wild lifestyle'. I'm not entirely convinced that his lifestyle includes any significant moral reasoning on behalf of his fans.
So, after feeling rather grumpy-old-lady about the song in New Look, I moved on through the crowds,continuing with my shopping. And the next thing I saw was an advertisement: 'Clairvoyant, 2:30pm til 10pm, Tarot and Palm readings'. I don't know if anyone else has realised this, but you can't pay to have your future revealed. All you get is false hope in a false world - and you find yourself trusting a false god. I couldn't help praying for blindness - if no-one sees her, how can she profit from lies?!?
I decided to pop into one more store before going home. Just after I walked in, the music in the store changed to that distorted, husky sort of rapper voice, and said something along the lines of: 'All the young people spending money, but when they stop spending, what happens to the economy?' Hmm. Last straw.
Westfield might look wonderful, but it offers a haven of quick fixes with dire spiritual consequences. Buy this top, skirt or tarot reading and you'll feel better, you'll support the economy - can't afford it? Use our store card. Spend £30, and you'll get a voucher for a wash and blowdry to prepare you for summer. Look good, and you'll feel good. Feel good, and you are good. Be skin deep. Sort things out on the outside, so that no-one will see the inside. Don't think, don't question, don't see - just do.
I left Westfield with this buzzing about in my head: 'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.'
Think.
