The
question posed to us on page 757 is one asking the reader whether he
can explain why he finds value in gems, gold, and fine clothes. Put
more simply, the reader is asked whether he can offer an explanation
to justify materialism. I believe that because of our position in
relationship to God, and our culture based on individual status, our
society is naturally one of materialism.
Throughout
history, one finds it difficult if not impossible to identify a
society that did not harbor greed, lust, or envy in at least some of
its members. In fact, we can trace this theme back to the beginning
of time in the Garden of Eden. In the same way a teenager desires a
pair of new jeans because they think it will elevate their status,
Eve lusted after the forbidden fruit genuinely believing it would
make her somehow better than she was already. Ever since that time
mankind has lived in a state of sin. While my point does not justify
materialism, I simply point out that a totally charitable, generous
community is impossible because we live in a fallen world.
Though
our roots are important, also valuable for consideration is the
present condition of our society. I do not believe that gems, fine
clothes, or gold have an intrinsic value in them. If “things,”
themselves, are not valuable because they simply are valuable, we can
reason that the reason for their value lies outside of themselves.
These items are valuable because we assign them value. Moore proposes
a world where we do not value precious things, but to do so we would
have to simply stop coveting. We live in a world where we are
assaulted by advertising, the latest fashion, and status symbols. As
long as we continue to raise children in this environment, there is
no hope of raising a generation that values things any less than we
do today.
While I
understand the futility of materialism in our nation and others, I
believe that because of current state of our society, both
spiritually and socio-economically, living free of materialism will
remain an unattainable goal.
