Watch What Would Jesus Buy?

What Would Jesus Buy? is a 2007 documentary film directed by Rob VanAlkemade and produced by Morgan Spurlock, the same team behind the hit film Super Size Me. The film follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they embark on a cross-country journey to exorcise the demons of consumerism and remind Americans of the true meaning of Christmas.

At the heart of the film is Reverend Billy Talen, a performance artist and activist who uses the persona of a fire-and-brimstone preacher to preach against the excesses of American capitalism. Together with his Gospel Choir, Reverend Billy stages public rallies and interventions at shopping malls, big-box stores, and other corporate temples, urging shoppers to repent for their sins of consumerism and encouraging them to buy less and live more.

Throughout the film, Reverend Billy and his choir travel from New York City to California, visiting communities large and small, rich and poor, and spreading their message of anti-consumerism. Along the way, they meet a diverse cast of characters, including a disillusioned ex-corporate executive, a Native American activist fighting against the construction of a new Wal-Mart, and a devoted Christian family struggling to balance their faith with their love of shopping.

The film also features interviews with a number of experts on consumer culture and its impact on society, including economist Juliet Schor, author of The Overspent American, and environmentalist Bill McKibben, founder of the grassroots climate organization 350.org. These experts provide context and analysis for Reverend Billy's message, helping viewers understand the larger forces at play in the world of consumerism.

One of the key themes of the film is the tension between the religious and spiritual aspects of the holiday season and the consumerist excesses that have come to define it. Reverend Billy argues that Christmas has been hijacked by advertisers and marketers who have replaced the message of love, peace, and goodwill with a message of greed, excess, and materialism. He urges viewers to reclaim the true meaning of the holiday by rejecting these commercialized messages and focusing instead on family, community, and spiritual fulfillment.

What Would Jesus Buy? is a thought-provoking and often entertaining film that combines humor, music, and activism to deliver a powerful message about the dangers of consumerism and the need for a more sustainable, compassionate society. By shining a light on the excesses of American capitalism and the toll it takes on our environment, our communities, and our souls, the film inspires viewers to think differently about our relationship with the world around us and to take action to create a better future for ourselves and our planet.