THE IDOLATRY OF CELEBRITY WORSHIP
By
Paul Proctor
November 18, 2009
NewsWithViews.com
Giving others the glory that is due God
One of the more popular tactics of modern-day marketing is the use or should I say misuse of celebrities. They’re everywhere these days peddling this, endorsing that – posing as “experts” with a special knowledge or wisdom into whatever the public at large assumes they have simply because their face and/or voice is recognizable and trusted due to some past or present and often irrelevant career, affiliation, endeavor or event that gained them a degree of notoriety.
It is human nature for people to trust the familiar more than the strange; and marketers know this all too well. Consequently, many of us will instinctively treat the advice a celebrity gives as the counsel of an astute, discerning and well-informed friend – especially if they’ve played a memorable role, hosted a top-rated show, held an influential office or position, written a best-selling book, made a lot of money, sang a hit song or broken some record in the field of sports that impressed or moved us in some way.
Under their exploited influence, our envy and infatuation often bypasses logic, reason and sound judgment, persuading us to listen and follow their lead even though they don’t know us and we don’t know them beyond the manufactured and well-guarded image we see and hear in the media.
This is the mysterious power of celebrity – a seductive and intoxicating force that too many covet and too few fear – a form of inebriation and delusion, and at times, insanity that incites brazen and bizarre behavior from those who fawn at the feet of fame, making them say and do things they would not otherwise.
The next time you happen to be anywhere near a celebrity, don’t watch them – watch the people around them and you’ll better understand what I’m talking about. Hopefully, what you see and hear will be offensive enough to keep you from being brought under the celebrity’s spell.
Although the power of stardom is quite common, I find it amazingly hard to explain. Maybe it’s a stress-related chemical released into the human body that renders fans shamelessly foolish and irrational – a combination of adrenaline and dopamine being dumped into one’s bloodstream causing them act goofy and say dumb and embarrassing things. Or could it be a demonic spirit in or around certain celebrities that adversely affects those in their presence? I really don’t know; but I do know that, more often than not, it is a disconcerting thing to see.
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Sadly, this mysterious power is not limited to Hollywood and our so-called “secular society.” Saints both inside and outside the sanctuary have become just as infatuated with stars as have sinners, utilizing their seductive sway in carnal ways allegedly for spiritual purposes – all the while carefully orchestrating a little mammon and glory for self via their advertized friendship or affiliation with the famous.
Unfortunately, today’s Christian celebrities are not as prone to rend their clothes like Paul and Barnabas did in Acts 14 when people began treating them as deities. Today’s worshiped believers claim to use their “God-given influence” as “leaders,” “mentors,” “role models” and “witnesses for Christ” to “reach the unchurched,” “change the world” and what have you.
I saw a little Christian celebrity worship in Pastor Greg Laurie’s column last Saturday over at World Net Daily where he carefully described his recent invitation and visit to Billy Graham’s house.
He began by letting readers know right out of the gate: “Billy wanted my wife, Cathe, and me to come visit him at his home…” He went on to assure us this wasn’t his first visit to Graham’s rural residence by not-so-subtly informing everyone of the “familiar drive up the winding road that leads to the home of the man whom I believe to be the greatest evangelist in human history,” gushing on to say, “I've had the privilege of being alone with Billy on many occasions, but have always had a bit of trepidation. After all, he is Billy Graham!”
Sounds more like Moses trying to explain his encounter with the burning bush on Mount Sinai than a couple of preachers having lunch.
Maybe Mr. Laurie should re-read Matthew 18 and Jesus’ response to His disciples’ preoccupation with “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Enamored of Graham’s celebrity status and stadium successes, how quickly today’s pop preachers forget those who’ve been mercilessly martyred in isolation and obscurity for their evangelical efforts.
Is Graham really greater than these?
Laurie continued his praise-a-thon by telling us “Billy” doesn’t act like a “famous person” and that he requested and listened intently to Laurie’s overview of a message he would deliver later that evening at The Cove, making sure we all knew that Billy told him it was “wonderful” and “Thank you for sharing that with us!"
He concluded his star struck story by declaring Graham to be the most godly man he has ever met, adding, “what an honor” it was “to know him” and then closed his exaltation with: “Thank God for Billy Graham.”
I suspect the godliest people under Heaven are folks most of us have never met or even heard of that quietly serve the Lord far and away from TV cameras, heads of state and adoring crowds – Christians that refuse, with real humility, to be worshipped or revered either in their homes or in public – truly suffering and sacrificing themselves daily for the gospel – living without the honor and acclaim that is so sought-after in and around many pulpits today – rendering and redirecting in their persecution and tears all glory to God and very well-known to the only One that really matters.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
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© 2009 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
E-Mail: watchman@usa.com
