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Contrary to popular belief the US does indeed have a state religion. Consumerism.
Europe has it's cathedrals, indicative of a land once enthralled by religion. These great monuments now stand empty apart from the tourists that stop by to admire their architecture. Europeans though have wisely decided to abandon religion for the most part. Religious wars which once engulfed Europe now seem like a distant, hardly concevieable reality (aside from the Balkans that is).
In the US we have our great structures too. The shopping mall. These temples to consumerism have sprung up all over the country in the past 50 years, so bound by our faith to purchase it eventually became government policy that we adopt this new religion and become "consumers".
Everyone consumes. But not everyone consumes like an American, I have lived in Europe for the 4 1/2 years. Over here necessity comes before desire and means determine the extent of the desire. Contrasted with American where necessity and desire are given equal weight and means are meaningless (just go get another credit card).
I urge my fellow Americans to abandon their religion. Consumerism is killing us. Consumerism reshaped the American economy to an unsustainable, inbred, capitalist institution.
