'Shopping is the new religion' ?

In this provocative article At The Supermarket, Mike Hollow talks of shopping as the new religion, with millions flocking to shopping malls and DIY stores on Sundays - which he likens to the Western World's 21st century temples - where folk go looking for retail therapy as food for their souls. He goes on to ask whether the Jesus who went to work with friends and stopped at the well for a chat, might be found in our modern shops?

Whilst a location beside The Trafford Centre

might not be an obvious one for a church building, could it be that God would have us located right there, where over 30 million go shopping or use leisure facilities every year?

At The Supermarket  is an extract from The Sky is your Oyster, © Mike Hollow 2003.

Mike is part of Basingstoke Community Churches, is the former Communications Manager for Tearfund and now is a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant. He and Margaret have two great adult children, Catherine and David.