Okay, I will admit that Reverend Billy (or in real life, Bill Talen), his wife Savitri Durkee and their baby daughter Lena are people I consider close personal friends. Our lives have intersected over the last several years in a variety of ways, but my involvement with them is essentially based on the work they do as activists with a group called The Church of Life After Shopping. What?
After Shopping? Does that mean after I go shopping I go to church? No, it means there is a life that does not revolve around shopping, and that's what they're about - to try to get us to slow down, for God's sake, our incessant shopping that we THINK is driving our economy but is really just driving us all further into debt and into the greedy hands of banks and corporations. Yes, you will note that this blog is based on a principle that was essentially inspired by their work: to glorify the local, the small business, the earnest proprietors that seek to make their own communities better, and sometimes to point out the glaring opposites.
Along with the activist work the Church of Life After Shopping does, a large portion of which is environmentally driven, they put on a kick-ass show, a parody an evangelical preacher gone Elvis with a full scale gospel choir. Starting Jan. 30th, 2011, you will be able to see that show, "The Church of Earthalujah," every Sunday at Theatre 80, St. Marks Place, at 7:30 pm, until, more or less, June. It is always funny, always inspiring, always a great time, and their no-one-turned-away policy exudes sincerity. In essence, the Talen family, the choir, and all the activists involved are just really good, really talented people, puttin' it on the line every day.
Here are a few links to check out:
http://www.revbilly.com/
http://www.revbilly.com/work/what-would-jesus-buy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq-6fe817fo
and friend them on Facebook: Reverend Billy Talen
Evaluation:
Extraordinarily sincere!
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