JEREMY LOTT, who has an interesting blog, has a surprisingly sympathetic take on the “Christian culture industry” here. I think he’s too willing to settle for “people are using this kitsch to build their identities, so hey, not my problem”–surely it’s possible to challenge people, without condescending or being an elitist jerk, to build a better identity that is less reliant on schlock. “Every building is an icon”; our things shape our identities as well as expressing them; insert further ramble/rant about “Testamints” etc. here.

Nonetheless, it’s a good article and includes a funny anecdote about an inflatable shark. (Oh no, am I going to get disturbing search requests [click at your own risk] involving inflatable sharks now??)