I think materialism peaked in the 80s. That is, the broad acceptance of the idea that material wealth or the trappings thereof were the marker of personal worth and status. However, as the economy has grown, there are just so many more opportunities and pushes to buy things that the accumulated amount of material we tend to have has steadily risen. You aren’t seeing the modern replacement for materialism, however, which is clout. Clout can come from material wealth, but it is achievable in many forms now.

I don’t think religion has much to do with it, except that it is so often used as a justification for massive wealth extracted from taxpayers and believers alike, that dumb people assume there must be some universally just, god-wealth connection they only need to “invest” enough in to grasp for themselves.

Yes, you’re right. I just turned 50 and am a Christian (West side but still.) Ha!

We can only control ourselves so I’m very choosy where I spend my money, and as tightwad, it’s only for needs (not wanrrs) and I also tithe or give back to the community.

As far as how it affects us religiously, we all know the bible verse about a rich man and needle, about Jesus overturning tables at Temple, and so many more. Give up your posessions and follow me. I take that seriously and believe being greedy and selfish are sins. I’ve always said there are too many poor for me to ever be wealthy, I can’t ignore the rest of the world while counting my money. I know a few wealthy people that do give back but I can’t help but look sideways at their luxurious lifestyle while kids are hungry a few blocks away. I can’t do that.

Just try to remenber there are so many good people in the world that are like us, that we can’t despair. Be the change you want to see.
You may be the only representative of God’s love some people will ever see.

I don’t think it’s new; there is nothing ‘modern’ or ‘recent’ about it.

Think back to ancient or biblical times. They amassed wealth by having large families (tribes) with multiple wives and many children to sustain the family’s wealth.

Or look at the Borgia family (during the Italian renaissance) who not only had great wealth, but parlayed it into power politics. Their greed and lust for power was strongly tied to the Church. (There were Borgia cardinals and Borgia popes.)

Take a look at French royalty – the various kings (Louis 16 for example) before the French revolution, who were amazing wealthy and powerful. They made greed into a fine art. (and left some beautiful buildings, like Versailles) behind.

The bottom line is as follows:

1) greed and the quest for wealth is not a new phenomenon; it is part of the cycle of human activity and mas been for millennia.

2) the people who rail against greed are the people who have no wealth.

3) Rich people can do (and build) valuable things. Even today.

People have been chasing “stuff” since mankind first showed up. The idea of having only what you absolutely need to survive has not been around since we first found ourselves with extra time on our hands.

At one point it was status. If you had a lot of stuff, it showed you were successful enough to not only survive, but have extra time and ability to have other things as well. The more stuff you had, the higher your status in society. It is still like that today in some aspects. Everyone wants “stuff” regardless of where you currently are in society, too.

Religious beliefs (not religion) are sort of the antithesis of that mindset. Christianity, for example, makes the believer (true believer) focus on his spiritual health. It focuses on emotions, not things of this material world. Part of that is helping your fellow man. That sometimes requires you to give some of your “stuff” away.

One of the 7 deadly sins is greed. Greed makes you want more and more stuff. That causes a certain amount of anxiety as you are never satisfied with what you have. You have to have newer, better, more. You compare yourself to others and will always fall short. You remove your “endpoint”. You never have the satisfaction of success of reaching the goal.

I’m not sure it is getting worse. It might be, but it might just be there is more “stuff” to have. It might be that you are just noticing how focused on the material this world is.

What is comparatively new is the idea that the economy must constantly grow. This will become unsustainnable.

The issue regarding religion is different. Religion is being replaced by science as a source of explanationn. The U.S. is one of the more religious nations in the first world, and about 30% of the U.S. does not follow any particular religion. Link

Oh! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY @KNOWITALL !!!!!! (Is that a gray hair I see poking up?)

@seawulf575 Maybe a few but I’m in better physical health and strength than I have been in decades. Thank you. Gotta take care of this temple!

I think that greediness is a very minor problem with our society today. It pails in contrast to the racism, drug addiction, homelessness, unrest and political divisions in the USA.

I guess that I’m a pretty greed guy. But perhaps best characterized as ambitious. I worked hard to retire successfully. Amassed a huge nest egg in the stock market, houses and property paid off, 3 pensions. My wife and I own 3 cars (2017 Ford 1–150, 2017 Prius and a ‘55 Chevy). Got lots of toys (7 canoes, Hobie Cat sailboat, an exercise room including an Endless Pool, stationary bicycle, weight bench and free weights, mountain bike and road bike). I enjoy video editing of canoe races and so I got to have the latest GoPro camera (I have hundreds of YouTube action videos). I’ve got GoPro’s 1 through 7 and five GroPro 360 cameras (I’m fascinated with the technology of the GoPro 360 camera). I never flaunt what I have in front of others. I share what I have (money and resources) with family, friends and make sizable donations.

As far as religion goes, it isn’t for me. I’ve been to several churches and read their bibles (which are riddled with things that are inconsistent with reality). Yes I think that there is a God. But He is far and beyond what my tiny pea brain can comprehend. So I just accept that and leave it alone.

I think if you look back for the past 70 years, you’ll find each generation more materialistic than the last. In the 1950s, with Americans moving to the suburbs, having just won the war, Americans were living the American dream, house, car, television set (which was a relatively new invention), Don Draper-Mad Men type stuff. Maybe a little cabin on the lake for the summer. Then in the late 1970s and early 80’s, it was yuppies with their boat shoes and preppy clothes, United Colors of Benetton, more women in the workplace, houses were getting bigger (if you look at “starter” houses in the 50’s, they don’t make houses that small any more). More wealth. More fancy stuff, more fancy restaurants. Today is no different than the past – everyone thinking we’re more materialistic but it’s just the general trend of the past 70 years (post WW2).

I think materialism in the US has changed over time, I agree with @jca2‘s summation of the decades in the US. I would add materialism went from conveniences like having a dishwasher or clothes dryer to some more fashion related things or bigger and more ostentatious.

As far as religion, I think there are religious and non-religious people who are very down to earth and not material focused and there are people in both groups who are. Christianity has tenets about not being focused on greed from what I understand, yet some churches preach that greed is good, which baffles me. I don’t see how Christians square that in their heads. Many churches and religious people today do amazing selfless charitable work and so there is no way to make a blanket statement.

I was raised not to be focused on material things but to be focused on money for independence, freedom, safety, security, and health. So, the pursuit of money was not very material oriented, but maybe it seems the same in some ways.

A lot of people in America would prefer more social supports and less materialism. Less need to pursue money to feel safe. Safety includes, health, education, and physically safe. I know if I felt my health would be taken care of and I would never wind up on the street, I would not feel like my husband and I need to work and work and work and save and save and save. We do have some very nice material things, because my husband is a car guy and that is an expensive hobby, but otherwise we are mostly in jeans and t-shirts, our TV’s are old, and I’m begging him to buy some new socks and shirts, because his are all over fifteen years old. LOL.

My biggest concern is materialism causes people to spend more than they have, and in the US buying on credit is a huge problem. It is why we have housing so expensive now. People don’t think about the overall price, they think about the monthly payment.

It is a personal life choice. “Material things”, “Stuff”, and “white picket fences” are a something people chase. It is nothing new.
I however see more people going to opposite today. I see more and more 20–35 year-olds being minimalistic and choosing happiness over a desire to compete with the neighbors. Perhaps it is just what I see in my circle.

You kind of lost me with the religion part. I find my happiness in nature and I’m not one bit religious. My happiness comes from tent camping, hiking, bird watching, fishing and kayaking. I’m 52 and have been purging items from my home for the past ten years to live a more minimalist lifestyle.

I can only speak for myself.

This is more of you sharing your harangue rather than a question.

People are different, unique, individual, etc. etc. We work to have the things we need and want. My crowd enjoys life and prioritizes what is important to them individually. No judgment.

‘We” need not do anything about your perceived problem. Keep your own house in order.

@SnipSnip I understand that everyone is different and that is why I mentioned that this is just an observation.
“But then again this is my observation. I am not suggesting that everyone is materialistic but I am certainly trying to point out that society is subtly endorsing a materialistic lifestyle. And sadly they do this by constantly influencing us when we use social media, on billboards when we walk outside and even at shops.”

I find from my experience that people find more happiness and joy in materialistic items.
In saying this, I was particularly questioning how society encourages materialism by influencing us through social media and our surroundings.

For everyone else, thank you for your responses. I was just curious to see whether people were just as concerned or if I was the only one noticing this.

I agree, greed and materialistic possession have always led to downfall in previous generations so I was just questioning if “we” as a society are heading towards a risk. And I am only questioning this because the rise of material and the idea that “wealth determines your success” is detrimental to families and ultimately causes a lot of mental pressure.
And I mentioned religion because I see a lot of people lacking fulfilment in religion these days so I was wondering if materialism is something that is influencing our faith as a society.

I appreciate this friendly discussion and everyone’s input. I also pray that everyone finds joy and happiness amongst their friends and family

Materialism is nothing new. Almost everyone has ‘wants’, as well as ‘needs’. I don’t see how belief in god has anything to do with materialism. Either you believe or you don’t, independant of how much stuff you own.

To a degree yes.

Yes. I don’t know what else to do with my time then to collect pursue, stuff and useless paper credentials.

Most of my luxuries are food related.

@smudges I think some religions/spiritual folks/hippies are more into it than others. Japanese minimalism for example or feng shui. Balance.

It’s also very historic in cloisters and monasteries. The less material distractions the more room for God (their Higher Power), essentially is the mindset.

@KNOWITALL
I completely agree with you. This is my point exactly.
The more we run towards material possessions the further we go from our spirituality. But again that is not the case for everyone.
This is just an observation.

We have also begun manipulating, modifying and “beautifying” our bodies, as well as experimenting with our genders in hopes that our “inner human” will become content and fulfilled by changing our external “dressing.” (This is very controversial and I know I will be attacked but I think this is something we should ponder upon. Even if we remove religion from the equation, materialism in general causes the constant feeling of emptiness and lacking. Materialism is a subset of greed and it continues to grow. This is the concern. As a society “we” have gone so far in our inhibited pursuit of wealth and success that we have begun to play with our inherent inner self (by this I mean we have begun modifying our biological self). I am not arguing religion, I am arguing the lack of inner fulfilment and inner peace due to the encouragement of materialism)

I hope I have clarified myself. This is a not religious question, rather it is a curious observation questioning the mental state of our society and the ideas we are encouraging to the younger generation.

@KNOWITALL my boss is Tibetan and practices his religion. It’s important that his children attend the school their community has created in our city. There are 500–600 Tibetans here. Their customs are very important to him. He also drives a Tesla and owns the newest phone, among other things. Probably not something you’d think a Buddhist would own. Being part of a religion has very limited impact on materialism.

@Maya_01 yeah, I don’t like where you are headed with your opinions about gender identity.

The less material distractions the more room for God (their Higher Power), essentially is the mindset.

My point is that the belief or lack thereof comes first, then the decision to have possessions or not. But I understand your point.

This is a not religious question, rather it is a curious observation questioning the mental state of our society and the ideas we are encouraging to the younger generation.

If you reread your original post, it certainly sounds more like a religious question for you.

I am arguing the lack of inner fulfilment and inner peace due to the encouragement of materialism

I think that for you, it comes down to a belief in god. That’s what you originally expressed.

Friendly tip…you’re going to step on a lot of toes if you want to get started on gender issues. And body modification and beautifying began with early man, it’s nothing new.

People seek to increase their self-esteem as a buffer to alleviate anxiety over awareness of their mortality.

In a capitalist society, one of the primary (and one of the very few) opportunities to increase one’s self-esteem is by buying stuff.

Unfortunately it’s a rather hollow self-esteem buffer, so no matter what you have—it’s never enough. The result is spiralling material consumption, leading to waste and pollution and degradation of our ecosystems and even the instability of our climate.

@Aethelwine And that’s his choice, I won’t judge anyone else. For me, that would be feeding my ego as opposed to feeding others, which is more of a priority.
As an only child, I got anything I wanted my entire childhood, so perhaps I learned earlier that it didnt compare to the feeling of helping others. Peace.

This may come across as a bit odd, but I think part of the problem today is that the U.S. does not have a well defined enemy, the way that we did during the Cold War. There was a sense of comfort in knowing that the Soviet Union was the enemy, and that they were out to bury us. This held true even for those of us who lean to the left.

This article was written in 1988, but I think the message stil holds.

Materialism is a kind of sickness of the mind. It comes from not appreciating material things properly.

Whew! I was going to read all the responses, but I’m hoping to read my book tonight, lol! Maybe materialism isn’t as bad as it was some decades back, but I do think there is still a focus on how much people have. I was reading a thread on Twitter, a non-political thread no less, about people moving into a house and not realizing how expensive it was to buy things like curtains and rugs. And from there the conversation went to how expensive furniture was. And I was thinking about how I recently bought an upholstered chair, and how in my early fifties, that was the first time I had bought an upholstered chair for myself ever. I just always did with hand-me-downs from family and friends.

So maybe part of the issue is that we are a very throwaway society. Something starts to get a bit worn, and we immediately want to replace it. Maybe we are less able to do that today with things costing more, but I still see that happening a lot. We don’t try to fix things or have them fixed, we just buy a replacement. And that as much as anything is what is contributing to our landfills. I remember reading a story a couple years ago about some Asian country, it may have been China or somewhere else, I can’t remember, where they just had hundreds of thousands of bikes in their landfills. And I couldn’t help but wonder, I wonder how many of those bikes could have been repaired and used by somebody who maybe didn’t have the money for a new bike. So yeah, it’s still very much a problem.

THIS