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Emo, ergo sum (I buy, therefore I am)

by Adam Bennett  
12/10/2008 / Christian Living

In 1644 Ren Descartes published an argument in Latin which 'solved' the question of existence with the statement 'cogito, ergo sum' 'I think, therefore I am'.

In view of the conversations I've overheard about shopping adventures and wish-lists for Santa, the roar of advertising and the flood of catalogues in my letterbox, I suspect we could edit Descartes' statement to 'I buy, therefore I am'.

According to an automatic online translator, in Latin this might be 'emo, ergo sum'.

There is always a new toy, a smaller device or a bigger television that must be bought and apparently our identity is defined by these things. This consumption urge is especially accelerated in the festive season.

The results of a survey commissioned by eBay estimated Australians spent $985 million on unwanted Christmas gifts last year. That figure was an increase of $35 million in an upward trend over a number of years.

For perspective, World Vision is reporting a global food crisis which they describe as "a violent push into unprecedented poverty" impacting on 100 million people in the world. In Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia 12 million people are urgently in need of food with up to three million children facing starvation.

While our consumption binge reaches its annual crescendo it's sobering to be reminded just how many people don't have enough food to survive.

Ironically, the Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas said, "one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15) He also told a young man, "sell what you possess and give to the poor." (Matthew 19:21)

What would Jesus say to us?

Most relief organisations have an appeal running at Christmas providing the opportunity for us to meet the real needs of other people here and overseas. After all, Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) and as it's his birthday celebration he's probably entitled to a say.

Then we would be better placed to define ourselves, not by what we have or think, but because we love. My online translator suggests that in Latin this might be, 'dilectio, ergo sum'.

Copyright Adam Bennett 2009. More articles are available at http://godward-thoughts.blogspot.com/

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