Fake is o.k., right?

Back when I was in high school, our church youth group took a trip to New York. It wasn’t for some life-changing youth gathering, or some Christian concert venue, or even a “spiritual” activity per se. No, my church youth group went to New York City to see the sites, buy souvenirs, and experience the “Big Apple.” Parents who had money, chaperoned so they could take their kids and their friends to Broadway productions as the rest of us stayed in our hotel rooms watching T.V. for the night. Just typing this makes me ashamed. Yet, it was the truth. 

At one stop, all 40 or so of us, were escorted off the charter bus into a small community where the streets were lined with people selling their wares. Most of the tables were covered with watches, t-shirts, movies – everything a bus loaded with youth consumers would ever ask for. I jumped out and fell quickly for a Gucci watch. It was a bit big for me, but I was willing to settle with it because of the great price (not knowing it would turn color on my skin and give me a rash). 

Sure we were told everything was fake, but we also were told we could get good deals. Nobody said it was illegal (even though I began to wonder how they had a movie on VHS that hadn’t even arrived in the movie theaters.)  Why even question it?  My youth pastor with the two-billed hat that read, “I am the leader – which way did they go” must be o.k. with it.  Fake is o.k., right?

Well, that was back in 1987, lots of things have changed for me in the past 25 years. But today, I was reminded of that youth trip – not because I am on a “Big Apple” tour, but because I went to pick up a book I ordered at a Christian bookstore. I have to admit, I haven’t been in a Christian bookstore for a couple of years. I was picking up a copy of my friend’s book which had come out the day before, which they had on hold for me. 

As I entered the store, I felt out of place. Please understand, I grew up going with my mom to our local Christian bookstore. As a kid, I would spend time in what today we would call the “dollar toy section.”  Little wind-up walking toys, bouncy balls, mini-bibles, pencil sharpeners, and everything else you can buy from that Asian-trading magazine with “Jesus Loves You” stamped across it (most likely made in China by underpaid workers).

Panning the store for the checkout, I saw that “dollar toy” isle and began to feel a bit of nostalgia, but that quickly past.  My eyes caught glimpses of the Hallmark-like products for people’s homes, the large section of Christian Fiction books (all awkwardly with Amish people on them), the section entitled “Bold and Courageous” with books about the military and a specific political party’s pursuits, and the t-shirts and bumper stickers that left me asking, “Is this who I align myself with, when I say I am a Christian.”

I envisioned myself on the streets of New York again.  This time, Christians trying to sell me their wares.  Nothing was grabbing my attention like that Gucci watch back in 1987. No, actually I was getting a bit sick.  T-shirts were ripping off well know marketing ideas for major companies to sell a product in the name of Jesus. Books had offensive titles about “right answers” and who held them. There were scriptures that you were to hang in your home on plaques that were taken out of context (if people only knew the real context they wouldn’t have that specific verse hanging in their homes). 

I was frustrated…this wasn’t o.k. – this was FAKE. There wasn’t much difference between those people in New York selling their fake Gucci watches, t-shirts, and movies and the Christians running this establishment. I almost left, but I was there to retrieve the book I had ordered. Reluctantly, I approached the checkout.  

The man behind the counter had a finely groomed goatee, hair had frosted tips, wore designer jeans, glasses, and a shirt from Abercrombie & Fitch (evident from the big A & F on the guy’s right pectoral). Without a word from me, this man says to me, “Dude, what’s up? How can I help you?” Now, just a minute, I have worked in retail and never had a boss ever tell me to call someone “Dude.” Do I look like a “Dude”? (is that good or bad?) The only people that call me, dude, are a surfer friend that is “legit” and some junior high students…and now the clerk at the local Christian bookstore. 

I quickly answered his question and asked for the book that was on hold for me. He stumbled around, saying “dude” a few more times and then said, “Did we call you?” I explained that the book was to arrive before noon, which it was about three minutes until noon. In reply, I got another more robust “DUDE!”  He quickly found the box from UPS and said it was inside. 

The next thing out of his mouth took me back to the streets of New York. I remember the sellers yelling, “Two for 20 or three for 25 – More you buy, better the price.” That’s when the clerk at the Christian bookstore says, “It may take me a minute, so why don’t you look around while I get your book out of this box.  And while you are at it – buy something expensive!” He didn’t just say that, right?  No, he did. 

So I walked around looking at the Christian wares. They didn’t have Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or Nike on their products. No, instead they had Jesus’ name on them. How had I missed this growing up? And that is when it struck me, the Church has done a good job of teaching us to be FAKE in the name of Jesus.   

Soon I heard the clerk yell out using my new name, “Hey Dude, I got your book.” I made my way up to the counter for one last assault.  He lays my book on the counter and says, “So you want to read a book about telling stories and drinking beer, huh? It looks like that is what this guy thinks will win people to Christ – yeah right.”  Luckily, I am a Quaker and don’t believe in violence of this nature, because I about took the book and shoved it down his “dude- emitting” throat.  I responded that the author was a friend, paid, didn’t take time to explain, and left the store (never to return). 

Fake isn't o.k.