#reverendbilly

#rotterdamphoto #occupywallstreet #reverendbilly

In addition, I have some more cool stuff that I’ll be adding here real soon. So do come back. Until then! 

TICKETS

Tis the season... to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse!! Get in the spirit by checking out the oldie-but-goodie What Would Jesus Buy? from the Divine Docs archive:

Divine Docs screening!! On Sunday, December 7th, Cinema Politica Hazelton will ring in the holiday season with a doc from the CP back catalogue - What Would Jesus Buy?, starring Reverend Billy And The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir:

Reverend Billy and the church of stop shopping. I implore you to look this man up and watch as many videos of his performance art as you can. This is the most creative way of spreading one of the most complex and important messages of our time. The RIDICULOUS IDOLATRY OF MONEY! Our culture is so centered on material possessions as a means of defining success. It's sickening. People skip thanksgiving, one of the only holidays where overworked American citizens get to sit and spend quality time with family and friends... TO BUY A TABLET HALF OFF. Money and the worship of money is 100% the root of greed, deceit, classism, disparity between the rich and poor, and countless other forms of societal detriment. How many cars do you really NEED? Why do you NEED a bag that costs a thousand dollars? Why do you NEED an 80 foot HD 3-D television?! What are these things going to bring you? happiness? health? friendship? love? Are any of these things going to nourish your soul? Greed is probably the most common disease among human beings, for thousands of years, societies with lots of money have exploited societies with much less, they've also exploited our Earth. I had a history teacher once tell me, "I do love Alaska and it's natural parks, but if there's oil underground there, I would want the US to drill." I can't even begin to understand what the hell that even means. This hit me so hard after having travelled to Africa and making friends in Uganda and Kenya. My, and unfortunately the vast majority of Westerners pre conceived notions of life in a "third world country" especially in Africa, is one of disease, poverty, hunger and violence. What I experienced was something completely different. People who eat several times a day, and well. All local fruits and vegetables (by local I mean, usually from a backyard). Non factory raised chickens, free of growth hormones, feeding naturally. People who don't have brand new nike shoes, televisions, apple computers, and are content and alive just like we are. People who value above all else, human relationships. of course there are some, who need help, and unfortunately are not lucky enough to get help from their government, but what I saw for the most part was a people who were free, free from the shackles of greed and the hold that inanimate objects have on us. Re-evaluate, no matter how much we don't believe it to be true, we are the products (and sometimes victims) of our surroundings. We become what our societies tell us we must be, we do what our societies tell us we must do. Look outside your bubble! The reality is that we need money to live, but spend it wisely, use it as a tool to help others, Realize that the best things in life, truly are free, change things you don't like about yourself, work to change things you don't like about your surroundings, every little action counts. In the words of Reverend Billy; "what would Jesus buy?"

Glenn Beck, what a simpleton

A lovely Occupy video, featuring an anthem based on the words of the declaration of Occupy Wall Street by Rev Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Choir. I first heard this performed by the choir as Revered Jesse Jackson finished his speech at Occupy Wall Street. Interestingly, the Rev appears in Scared Sacred, post 9.11, at Union Square, were people gathered to dialogue, mourn and come together.    I first met him when I was shooting CultureJam, directed by Jill Sharpe. He was one of the main characters, and has long been a prophet of anti-consumerism, famed for breaking into the Disney Store and preaching until arrested.