Preaching against corporate space-invaders

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=72b3c5f0ab802fcf&cat=3a8a80d6f705f8cc

Preaching against corporate space-invaders

Gary Younge in New York
Saturday February 26, 2005
The Guardian

With a suit of white and a quiff of highlighted hair, Reverend Billy strides through the faithful throng of 350 supporters in the East Village to denounce the inherent evil of a $5 Starbucks latte.
"We're going to push them back," he says to a chorus of alleluias. "Lord, save us from the Shopocalypse. Can we do it? Someone say, 'Alleluia!'" The crowd obliges. "Blessed are those who forgo the Gap, because they will save our city."

Reverend Billy is the head of the Church of Stop Shopping. He is not a real reverend. His real name is Bill Talen and he is an actor who mixes the manner of an evangelist preacher with the message of anti-globalisation. With the help of a very accomplished gospel choir, he delivers his own idiosyncratic sermons against the rampant consumerism that he believes is suburbanising New York city.

snip...

On Thursday came better news. Efforts by Wal-Mart to penetrate the New York market by opening a 132,000 sq ft (12,260 sq metre) store in Queens was shelved after popular opposition forced the developer to bow out.

"Alleluia," says Reverend Billy. "The devil will not be coming to Queens."

more...

Amen Reverend Billy Amen!!!

[silverweb]

1. Beautiful!

Finally... a preacher I can get behind.

A brilliant tactic.

:D

[lovuian]

2. Reverend Billy Whoo Hoo!!!

Walmart not going to Queens!!!

[Kimber Scott]

3. Amen and pass the homemade biscuits! nt

[Damien]

4. i had hoped he was real

when i started reading the article i thought "yes -- more christians that are starting to get it." it's still really cool, and funny, but it is too bad he isn't a real preacher