Adult Teachable Moments

Christians and Freegans: Something to Learn?

Apr 11

By Crystal M. Shepherd

We live in a world where we have hundreds of TV channels at our fingertips. Where churches once stood on every corner there are now Starbucks franchises. Many of us can have any type of food we want at any time—day or night. We carry gadgets that give us constant access to music, the Internet, and each other. There are stores that sell everything imaginable. With all this, don’t we still yearn for more?

This reality hit home for me as I watched a recent episode of Oprah. She was talking with a couple who live a “freegan” lifestyle. Freegans opt out of consumer culture by buying second-hand or even searching through the trash. This newlywed couple chose to furnish their apartment and find the necessities for living by digging for them in the garbage. That’s right––they go dumpster diving to get their shampoo and even their food. At first I was repulsed by the thought of donning a headlamp and rooting through garbage under the cover of night. As I listened further, however, I heard more and more about the byproduct of our culture—waste. America comprises approximately five percent of the world population and uses at least thirty percent of the resources. Often we obsess over the latest electronics and products. Last year’s iPod is just not as good as this year’s. We are also teaching these values to our children. For instance, how many different “Tickle Me Elmos” do we really need?

At one point in the show, the couple said something that really struck me. They suggested that people need to locate their happiness in something other than possessions. When the segment ended, I wondered about the relationship—about the similarities and differences––between the freegan response and the Christian response to our culture of consumption. Do our attitudes toward possessions, toward consumption need to be recalibrated? If so, how?

In the Bible, we find examples of responsible stewardship. In Genesis, God gives humanity the responsibility to care for and cultivate the Earth. Jesus uses the parable of the talents to highlight our role in using the gifts that are entrusted to us. We are also taught by the examples of the disciples, Rahab, and even the Good Samaritan to show generosity and care to others through the gifts God has given.

Choosing a simpler life, one not anchored to the mass consumption around us, might be seen as following in the tradition of the Christian faith. Does that mean I am ready to dive head first into a mountain of refuse? Not exactly. I am, however, willing to look at my lifestyle and find ways to simplify. The ways to adopt such simplicity are as unique as each individual. Freegans are said to be free from consumerism, free from materialism, and, in essence, free from stuff. Freegan or not, the truth of the matter is that we as Christians are called to be free from the things of this world. When I live that out, when I become truly free, I take one more step on the journey to becoming less me-centered and more Christ-like—and that is freedom.

Questions for Reflection
• How attached are you to your possessions?
• Do you see consumerism as a moral dilemma?
• In what ways could you simplify and be a steward of the resources available to you?