The Meat Market
by Kathy Brown on July 8th, 2009 | 0 comments
“Good Morning America” commented this morning on upcoming fast food ads. What could be so interesting about hamburgers? It seems that there is a new approach to selling them; they are using sex appeal to attract eaters.
At first glance, you have to laugh it off. But, somehow this is troubling. It used to be that ketchup, mustard and pickles on a steaming patty caught the eye. Or a phrase like “where’s the beef?” worked to tune in an audience. Now it is bikinis, suggestive language and, well, buns that don’t have sesame seeds on them.
Why this sales approach anyway? The Bible teaches that all of us have a “flesh” nature. We want to gratify it. Appealing to the old appetite for tasty food has apparently been replaced with an invitation to satisfy another aspect of physical desire. It resembles a “bait and switch” technique, but it works.
If humans are left to themselves, there need be no governance over feelings and urges. These innate components of mankind are not purposeful or meaningful; they are meant only for personal pleasure. It has become apparent, as we scan the culture around us, that food and sex no longer require much restraint. Although there are pills and medical advances that dull the consequences of unbridled pursuit of eating and titillating, ultimately, they leave only an emptiness that begs for more.
There will be no rating or warning on the upcoming novel television advertisements. Toddlers, teens, everyone in between and beyond will be treated to the message. If nothing else, it offers a good opportunity to discuss what God’s good intentions are for us as our behaviors conform to His design. But, if that doesn’t seem like enough of a response, grill at home and invite your neighbors to an “eat in” where the provocative thing about the burger is still its yummy smell.
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