Bubble Trouble
My old prof, Jesse Kornbluth, aka Uptown Swami, looks at the economics of irrationality:

It's my view that we're experiencing not one, but two bubbles: Real Estate and God. Both have made fortunes for those canny enough to offer, in the case of real estate, seminars on amassing fortunes through no-money-down real estate and, in the case of God, books, movies, music and iconography that proclaim the kingdom of an exceedingly white version of Jesus Christ.

Like the Real Estate Bubble, the God Bubble has been growing so steadily that many believe it's real--that the mega-churches and religious PACs and public meetings called to get Judy Blume and Kurt Vonnegut out of schools testify to a change in bedrock American values. And no doubt there are many who do place their faith above all else and are delighted that their religion is--at last--big news. But as in any movement, there are people who join a cause just because it looks like a winner.

If I were a betting man, I'd wager that a lot of people have jumped onto God's crusade to purify America as a kind of career move--a self-betterment program that helps you do well as you do good. Some guys make deals on the golf courses of exclusive clubs, others over Krispy Kremes at the mega-church's coffee hour. You use what you've got to get where you want to go.

For all the preaching about forsaking pleasure on earth for good in heaven, I'd also wager that people of faith live like so many of us--from paycheck to paycheck, credit cards maxed out. (For all we know, some people who tithe are paying 18% for the privilege.) But I suspect there's a difference between these Christians and those of us who don't believe in a God who shines His light only on the faithful. We feel we're on our own if bad times hit--and the deeply devout, always eager to see God's hand in their lives, regard an economic downturn as a test they can pass with God's active help. Haven't they been told--and haven't we been warned--that God looks out for His own?

If the housing bubble bursts and craters the consumer economy, it would be the first test of the faith-based community. Will those who believe tack a cross on their door and be spared foreclosure? Will God take only the houses of Jews and heathens? And will Christians who still have share with Christians who suddenly don't?

Recently, Lena mentioned to me some priest who goes around protesting -- for the poor, imagine that! It's amazing, the selectivity of a lot of Christians, these days, railing against homosexuality and naked ladies as the bible's raison d'etre, and skipping all that throw your worldly goods away and feed the poor parts. No, no...I know...god spoke to you and told you to buy the really big Hummer.