Will the real Idol Please Stand Up?
While many of us may like this show as an opportunity to see hidden talent from the common person and we have seen some incredible talent over the years, this article is actually not about the show!
It is about Americans idolizing and creating idols, especially with our celebrities, where maybe we should reason through the mass thinking underlying our culture with some fresh ideas. Let’s look at Michael Jackson as an example, there are talents worth honoring about him, and there are issues we should all give pause to learn from regarding his tragic life.
This article is prompted to have us step back as a society and learn something about ourselves as we turn this man into an idol and ask ourselves, why?
Many of us grew up watching the adorable Michael Jackson sing as a child and were struck by his incredible dance moves and budding talent. This tremendous attention boarding on extreme adoration does not factor in the man behind the Hollywood mask. Maybe we are in shock this man passed at such a young age or his life makes ours look easier in comparison, but this man left behind a legacy of pain as well as of music. Three other superstars died at the same time as he did. We have heard very little about these people, and yet they gave back to society. One was an amazing father; two donated much to good causes. According to Yahoo News, Michael Jackson left behind a 400 million dollar debt, which he spent entirely on his own idiosyncrasies.
Although I sympathize with him, I cannot idolize him, nor should he be. He is not a hero who saved. His character is not one to follow. The timelessness of the Bible speaks to us about creating idols out of people or things, “Do not fall into the ways of the nations, do not be awed by signs in the heavens; it is the nations who go in awe of these. For the carved images of the nations are a sham, they are nothing but timber cut from the forest, worked with his chisel by the craftsman; he adorns it with silver and gold, fastening them on with hammer and nails so that they do not fall apart. They can no more speak than a scarecrow in a plot of cucumbers; they must be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them: they can do no harm, and they have no power to do good. Where can one be found like thee, O Lord?” (Jeremiah 10:2-6) What images have we created as a nation, which are vain? What idle chatter do we listen to speak constantly to us that offer nothing of value? There is so much of worth in the world today and access to it if we chose to spend our time on the substantial.
A life-long Bible scholar, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, and we get better views of humanity…Let it be understood that success in error is defeat in Truth…To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and whom we acknowledge and obey as God. If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit. The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning.”(Science and Health with Key to the Scripture, pg. 239)
How often we go along with the thought of current day without giving it much reflection to realize that sometimes it may exhibit more signs of thoughtlessness than intelligence? We don’t have to. We can think for ourselves and be a contributor to the things of great meaning, that which merits honoring.
Submitted By Anne Cooling
