MICHAEL JACKSON: DANGERS OF IDOLATRY
My cranky old stepfather had a way with words. Back in 1955, I was but a 16 year-old lad when we were engaged in a conversation about movie idols. I shared with him my admiration for Elizabeth Taylor, who I considered to be the most gorgeous human creature ever to walk the face of the earth. In the middle of my blathering over her, Bernie interrupted, and in his inimitable Brooklynese, said, “Listen kid. Think about this. What if Elizabeth Taylor is out hiking in the woods. She’s gotta take a …she’s gotta go, you know…real bad. What does she do? She lifts her f ——g dress, pulls down her panties and squats…just like you and me.”
Fame and fortune doesn’t make anyone more or less human than you or me.
The current news blitz about the life and death of Michael Jackson is a good example of off-the-charts idolatry. Despite his wealth, (or because of it) it ultimately served as a virtual prison within a secluded world. Such was the case with Elvis, and others, who could not walk the streets, attend a public function, go to a movie or eat in a restaurant without throngs of worshippers crowding, begging, drooling and kissing his feet. If I were given the choice between the fame and fortune of a Michael Jackson, and to have what I have now, it would be a no-brainer. Michael Jackson wasn’t free. He wasn’t happy. He had not achieved the pinnacle of life. Sure, he was loved my millions, but was he really loved…as a man, as a human being, as a partner? So, what good the money?
Americans have a way of idolizing entertainers, religious figures and some politicians, ad nauseam. So much that no matter their foibles, no matter their transgressions, forgiveness is automatic, forgiveness that would be unthinkable if the transgressors were you or me. The media, and the general public, turn a blind eye for every indiscretion, crime, sin, character flaw or act of deceit they may engage in. It doesn’t matter. Idols are above morality. They are above decency. In some cases, they are even above the law. They can even be dangerous. Idolaters trust the untrustworthy, even if it means following them like sheep over the cliff. They can do no wrong.
Such was the case in Guyana in November of 1978, when a charismatic preacher named Jim Jones convinced 909 of his religious followers — supposedly intelligent and educated human beings — to kill themselves, including over two hundred children, by drinking Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Unbridled worship is the seed for ominpotence.
Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard, Peter Popoff, Robert Tilton and Kent Hovind are but a few American evangelists who found gold by mesmerizing congregations into dutiful worshippers, gaining riches at the altar of ignorance then bilking their people for millions upon millions of dollars by lying to them. There’s really no one to blame but the gullible, for they buy into every word, because they are words they want to hear to begin with.
Besides corruption, the sheer and blatant hypocrisy of these supposed mouthpieces for God never cease to amaze me, yet their followers continue to ignore and buy into the excuses. All the while Jim Bakker spent twenty years being revered from his PTL broadcasts, spewing goodness and morality, he was bilking his donors for millions of dollars, not to mention an extra-marital affair. His exploits landed him in prison for five years. But, not to worry, Bakker’s ministry is alive and well again — after a mea culpa apology of course — broadcasting the word of God to many millions of those same followers who just can’t get it.
Jimmy Swaggart was another idolized preacher who spent much of his off-pulpit time hiring detectives to spy on other evangelists, including Jim Bakker, in order to expose them as sexual deviants unworthy of a ministry. Then, the tables turned, as another detective — hired by one of those ministerial enemies — caught him in motel room with a prostitute. From there, we all remember the televised crying jag begging for forgiveness for spending his congregations money toward sexual favors. Three years later, he was caught again, with another prostitute. But that didn’t phase the blind followers. Today, Swaggart heads up a world wide ministry staffed with his new wife, and many of his family members, while the sheep continue to drop over the cliff. Amazing, what charisma can do when people hear what they are predisposed to hear.
The idolization of O.J. Simpson earned him a Not Guilty verdict for the cold-blooded, premeditated murder of two people, in which the evidence of his guilt was overwhelming. Had someone named Willie Jones had a mid-level lawyer, considering the same evidence, he would have been convicted and executed by now.
He’s not the only celebrity who managed to escape prison because of fame and wealth. There was Robert Blake, star of Baretta, who allegedly killed his wife, but despite hard evidence, managed an acquittal.
Michael Jackson, the current epitome of idol worship, is said to have settled with no less than three accusers over a period of fifteen years, 1988 – 1993, one for $20 million, to drop charges against him. In each, the alleged victims were children and the alleged crimes were sexual molestation. His criminal trial for similar charges in 2005 resulted in — what else? Not guilty.
Some say, all those charges were trumped up. Yet, these were the cases that reached public scrutiny. I ask, how much is out there, that we do not know?
That also goes for politicians, probably more so than entertainers and preachers. For we — the people in general — are gullible enough to vote them into public office where they are not only held in high esteem, they hold power over our very lives.
American voters trusted Rod Blagojevich, the man who allegedly sold an Illinois senate seat to the highest bidder. Americans trusted Jim McGreevey, governor of New Jersey, until it turned out he was having gay affairs behind his wife’s back. Americans trusted Mark Sanford, governor of South Carolina, never thinking he was the ilk to abandon his post for four days to have an affair in another continent. Americans trusted Eliot Spitzer, governor of New York, until a sting caught him commiserating with prostitutes. Rep. William Jefferson, of Louisiana, stashed $90 thousand in his freezer. Yet, he ran for office again, and 47 percent of Louisiana’s voters cast their ballots for him. They didn’t care.
These are the ones we know about. What don’t we know?
In 1990, Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington D.C., was caught in an undercover operation using crack cocaine with a woman. He served a federal prison sentence, and — get this — ran for mayor again and got re-elected. If a police or fire applicant had such a record, he would be laughed out of the testing room.
Unfortunately, people get what they ask for…and deserve.
And so, contrary to the days of Lincoln, Taft, FDR, HST, and LBJ, we now live in the age of idolatry, where the beloved can do no wrong and otherwise intelligent people continue to turn a blind eye to thieves, liars, cheaters, dopers, molesters and corruption in general, because — well, they are all so cool.
Despite his foibles, Michael Jackson was certainly talented. For that, he deserved plaudits. But we have known others equally talented, today and yesteryear, (Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Gene Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minelli, Madonna, Elton John, et al), but were never raised to the levels of such adulation that they had to be relegated to self-imprisonment.
To those who still think Michael Jackson walked on water, may I refer you to the words of my old stepfather, Bernie, who had a way of putting it all into perspective. Just re-read the first paragraph of this blog.
And that goes for the unnamed herein.
Super article. Michael Jackson was a great artist now let the poor man rest in peace.
Don’t forget, Mr. Frank,
that Americans, millions upon millions,
dial in to vote for their favorite “American Idol” …
record voting this past season!
And, yet, during election years for President, etc,
Americans feel “forced” to go to the polls and
elect representatives in our government.
In the biblical “Exodus” (20:5)
the Hebrew God commanded the people
neither to make idols nor bow down to them,
“for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.”
Today, instead of molding a graven image,
fame and fortune shape men and women into Idols,
and then the blind and deceived have their ears
tickled by false teachers and fables, by political
corruption, and even by the songs of pop stars.
We certainly live in a material world, this nation
is materialistic in its nature, but has not always
been that way. The treachery and exploitation
of men and women through the darkness of
capitalism has sucked dry the passions and
interests of the American people.
We yearn for the latest fashion or trend,
and we consume but do not produce.
We have become as the barbarous …
lower than the common animals,
and to the dust of the earth we shall return.
Civilizations collapse most of all from within.
Greece … Rome … Mongols … early 20th century Europe … now USA.
And, no one said it would last forever.
Kevin Childers
Sylva, NC
Marshall,
Although we are sometimes on opposite sides of the fence, this is one of your best columns yet! I agree totally about this insane worship of people who contribute little to society but who are only celebrities.
While you are at it, include TV celebrity “journalists.”
Bob
Why do we still idolize criminals such as Jesse James, John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone, etc.? Such idol worship is not new and will not disappear until people learn to admire the ethical instead of the superficial glory of degenerates.
Michael Jackson’s children have not led wholesome lives. Deprived of a mother and the company of other children, they have languished in secrecy with schmatas over their faces. Hope things improve for them once the dust settles.
Marshall! I must agree with what you said in tnis piece. Well written and makes you think and wonder if you were or are that that ??????
Michael Jackson was an enormously talented person who never had a childhood, which, pitifully, he recreated as best he could as an adult, even into middle age.
On the other hand, he was a shirtlifting pedofile who should have died in prison.
Record company and parental child exploitation, possibly abuse? Simply the cost and privilege of great fame?
Like most great artists, a tragic figure. Like most prominent nations, a well-deserved and scathing commentary.
Agree that Americans are much to enchanted with celebrities. If someone can walk on water, in the summer of course, then I might give them additional respect after making sure they weren’t pulling a hoax.
I see crowds of people looking up at a celebrity such as Obama like they have seen God in person casting pure lightupon them. Same with Michael Jackson.
I say if you must worship, go to a church or synagog. The worship of celebrities, stars, or politicians is a passing fad.
Marshall, you & I usually don’t agree on political issues, but I’m with you on this. I remember in a public speaking class, Leon McKim telling us to picture members of your audience naked & sitting on a toilet. This is to remind you that we are all created equal.
I agree with you about the risks of putting humans up on pedastals. It is bad for the individuals as well as everyone who idolizes them. Because, after all, they are only human! and prone to make mistakes, either intentionally or unintentionally. I also disagree about this being a current day thing. People have worshipped human idols for centuries, following them wherever they would lead. Alexander the Great comes to mind and what about Hitler? Also, what you haven’t said is all the accolades being given MJ for his revolutionizing music – not since Mozart I believe I heard one person say? Quite frankly, I totally disagree the “since Mozart” statement as there were many composers/musicians since his time that revolutioned music in various ways. Many making it more robust and exicting – not something I can say about what is heard today as it appears to me that modern day music is regressing to much earlier forms – like back before the more complicated instruments were invented.
I would hate to be famous. You wouldn’t even be able to go to the supermarket, never mind have extramarital sex in the privacy of your lover’s apartment in Buenos Aires, or say, the Oval Office.
Seriously, the whole idolatry thing is crazy but it’s always been around to some extent. The media just exploits it more these days because the public loves to put people up on pedestals and then drag them through the mud and then stick them back up there again.
Also, sex stories are much easier to cover and a lot more fun than boring old economic downturn stuff. Even war stories get tedious after awhile. And sex, as they say, sells. That’s why these stories warrant such good play.
And what can tear our simple minds off our economic woes faster than reading about a megastar’s mysterious, sudden death. Or a sexy, southern governor’s junkets to Argentina to have a steamy affair with a hot, latin chicky-chicky. Works for me!
All this hipe about Michael.Better humans that have recently passed were: Ed Mcmahon, Billy Mays and Farrah Fawcett. But they don’t sell the media for the ratings and the money.
David
Hey Marshall,
I always enjoy your articles. Glad we don’t have to sign in anymore!
You know, I just don’t understand idolizing people unless, of course, it’s Garth Brooks. lol
Maybe I’m a strong willed person, but I don’t get the blind worship thing. I work with several blacks (not African Americans as they have never been to Africa or their parents or grandparents)and when the OJ trial was on they were in such blind defense of him it boggled my mind. And, it was only because they are black and he was black. They seemed only to see a black hero being unjustly tried by the white man. If a white man had killed a black woman I would have wanted to see him sent to jail just as much as OJ. and, I couldn’t believe the glove defense ‘if it doesn’t fit you must acquit.’ I’ve always been around farms and I know darn well if you get a leather glove wet (soaked in blood) that it shrinks. couple that with the fact OJ didn’t take his arthritis meds and spread his fingers as wide as he could to make it look like it didn’t fit just yelled ‘STUPID white man, I’m OJ Simpson above reproach, untouchable. I can get away with murder!’ It sickened me that people can be so stupid and blind to follow. OJ felt so above others he felt he could do anything illegal and get away with it. I’m glad to see it finally caught up with him.
I don’t know if MJ was good or bad, he did have the ‘IT’ factor of a great entertainer. Was he the best ever, I don’t think so. But, certainly worthy. I do feel sorry for him that he was so much in the public eye that he had to stay in seclusion. I don’t think he ever had the opportunity to develop adequate social skills or to grow up like most people do. I don’t think his death should have over shadowed the other stars that died recently and I’m so over hearing about it. Some things did bother me about the doctor however. One was that when they called 911 the operator asked where he was and they told him in the bed and that they had tried CPR. anyone with any CPR experience whatsoever knows you put the patient on a hard, flat surface for CPR to be effective. then, the doctor supposedly disappeared and came back with the story he had supported MJ with his hand behind his back. That doc should be ashamed to come up with a pitiful story like that. it’s definitely not protocol for CPR. That doc should be hung by his heels!
Keep the articles coming Marshall!
Absolutely true and and very much like today’s idolatry. Is this a mass hysteria?
Nick
I can’t even begin to guess how many lawyers are already lining up for those who think they are owed, want or entitled to a piece of the pie. Other than lawyers, his death surely put a lot of people out of work, almost instantaneously. How many of his ‘friends’ will write tell all books about him? OMG, the TV life stories or movies that are surely in the pipeline! Shades of Elvis! His poor kids!
Great article Marshall. I am so tired of the continuous coverage, ad nauseum of the death of this guy. Programs cancelled, every media outlet showing the same stuff over and over. Talented? yes, but deeply troubled. Too bad, he is probably better off where he is now. And we will continue to be inundated with story after story for the next millenium. There are more important things going on in this world that should concern everyone more that the death of this guy. Give me a break.
Lost in the hype & idol worship of M.J., is
a cold hard fact; The famous & the unknown
are equally vunerable to that deadly sharp hook of the Grim Reaper know as ADDICTION.
Contrary to the cries of fans & much of the media, that Jackson died suddenly & young, fifty is a ripe old age, for untreated drug addicts with the means to self-destruct.
Now the Grim Reaper could care less if his
next victim dies from plain old booze OD or
disease, street drugs, or as in M.J.’s case,
legal prescription pain killer drugs.
Jackson’s death & his friendship with Dr.
Deepak Chropa have put prescription drug abuse in the spotlight. Chropa has spoken
out sharply about legal drug pusher doctors
and is quoted in this article >
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gV9hv9iFFV_Tj49ujvs2uCXOdReQ <
But, I expect that spoltlight will fade, in
the weeping & idolitry for Michael, as he
is laid to rest. The fact remains, Jackson
has joined an endless procession of sots,
whose addiction led them to an early grave.
Acohol & Drug Addiction are Equal Opportunity Killers. Millions die but many alcoholics & addicts recover & escape early death. Some do it with http://www.aa.org and or
http://www.na.org. If you email someone with a drug or booze problem, send them the sites.
I remember watching a concert some years ago and I was struck by tears in some of the fans’ eyes. Tears for a mere singer. They were so enthralled by her singing they had tears in their eyes. And, no, she was not singing a sad song. I don’t remember what rock star it was. For me, that illustrates how some people are idolizing a person that perhaps needs less admiration, if you will. What causes this confusion of emotion? Mis-directed values. And they come from the large groups of people that have no reason to share a sense of cohesion. They center their hysteria on a single person that comes along–as you point out Marshall–and place all their generalized emotion on the mere singing talent of a dazzling individual. Let’s say “mere,” for what are we, as Americans, finding praiseworthy. Everything in proportion, please. I have nothing against a great person coming along and capturing the hearts and minds of the American people to help them realize saner goals and go in the right direction, but singers and hypocrites are not the ones appropriate to do so.
No problem with any ones view including your uncle but this is the only entertainer I have seen in my lifetime who physically altered his body in an attempt to appeal to those who live and expect entertaiment of his venue, albeit, a manifestation of a father, as I have read, took his childhood away…..not good. His heroes were limited to those persons who he was being pushed to exceed….and he did.
His passion, weaknest or need to self acualize is no less than the passion to play a violin concerto by practicing 12 hour’s a day or more. He practiced is not unlike that of any athelete that you may tune in to see on any given Sunday. Over the top yes…but driven to release the abilities which were natural to his carbon footprint.It is right. It is not him. It is our desire to see someone exceed in whatever it is that we appreciate or wish to be. We must remember this as we are looking for our remotes come football season. He was not unlike an idiot savant, albeit, driven in that direction. He viewed, accepted and studied what was missing from those that he idolized and during his life paid tribute too.
Go to specifics if you like but the dancing in the rain was not a one shot deal, check it out. I think no less than the loss of Ernie Davis. Not my primary venue for entertaiment but no one will ever no what a made and exploited human being would have come up with next to amaze me/entertain me.
Would I have extra digits graphted to my hands so that I could play basket ball and or to play a piano? Would I have my arm medical/artificially extended so that I could pull a bow over the strings of a violin better than any before me.
He made a choice from what he was relagated too. Your point holds truth, no doubt. But would it make a differnce if we look at it as Dimaggio left us all to soon.
He did not make funny faces, tell jokes nor try to act to a script developed from somone elses mind. He accepted his fate and tried even if he is not to be the best entertainer that the world has seen period. He was quite imperfect as a total human being. Did you read that the task master his Dad, is choosing these dreary times to promote “his” (daddy’s) future economical pursuit.
He prcticed hard and was good at what he did, bring on the next one. Michael’s curtain has closed. Let us practice our inate or eploited pursuits. Let’s just bury him. Joe is still alive(daddy).
I stooped going to my church because of the stained glass window which showed/depicted an image of God.
So I continue without arguement but what did we say when Elvis left the buiding? You didn’t have a column at time.
Comparisons; this exploited human being revderted to the idols that he was forced to take note of and he often celebrated them during his lifetime.
Resultingly, considering his childhood exploitation, this is the only human being that I know of during my life time to physically alter their body in order to connect with other human beings across the board.
On any partuclar venue that one may want to compare him too, dancing in particular, that scene was not done in one take; check the history.
Fortunatly, one did not have to like him but he in fact sacrificed his body in his, albeit, over the top physical alterations to try and appeal to all people; as evidenced by your comments and the comments to your comments.
No he did not make faces, tell jokes or pursue acting or any other venue to self acualize.He had to work as hard as any multimillion dollar athelete to capture physical movements that he had perfected, again because of his affection.
I don’t idolize anything or person. I love art as I see it. You love a violin concerto as you hear it and practice to emulate it to the best of your ability. If you were not writing this column, I’m sure you would be isolated from the world somewhere practicing, trying to be perfect….and you were not exploited.
Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio, Babe are you there, Ernie Davis did you make the grade? They come and they go.
We will be looking for our fix, purely for entertainment, as we search for our remote come football season.
Former president Geowge W. Bush should have headed your list of characters. We have had our rounds (you and I) in the past. I agree with you in this case to a certin degree. My basic complaint with you this time is that you left GW and Dick Chaney out; and, without question, they both should have been included to make this article complete, in my humble and uneducated opinion.
I have to agree with Frank above me…enough all ready! If the Pope had died the coverage would have been less! In his early days there was talent after that he became a freak.
MARSH,
BEST ARTICLE TO DATE AND SO
TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL THAT SAID….LET MJ RIP!!!
Michael Jackson had a pathetic background; a father who failed his children, who stole their most important formative years to exploit them without an equal amount of love and nurturing that all children require. Michael was asked once if he could trade his fame for a beautiful childhood, would he? His answer was no, even though it seemed he was forever looking to go back and find it somewhere. His talent and incredible popularity had such an impact in regard to opening more doors for African-American entertainers, and it enabled him financially to take action in helping people in dire circumstances all over the world. This just may have over-shadowed the hypothetical choice of a happier youth. It is true he became disfigured, and addicted, and God knows what else….but don’t forget the best of what he was. In his prime, a beautiful incredibly talented vulnerable “child-man”, who eventually lost it all in addiction, humiliation, and loneliness.
Mr. A.J. Thomas, – Well, if we are going to
list presidents & V.P.’s as persons the masses foolisly idolize, at the top of the list must be Mr. Obama. No occupant of
the American Oval Office in our nation’s history even comes close, IMHO.
Will the real Barrack Obama please stand up?
Who the hell knows who the Barrack Obama is?
Rush Limbaugh joked again today, on radio,
“What do God & Barrack Obama havein common?
Answer: Neither has a Birth Certificate!
One of the better opinions, as to who is the
real Obama, was posted by Doug Patton, on gopusa.com, 06-29-2009 under the title:
“These People Truly Hate America” Read it @
> http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/dpatton/2009/dp_06291.shtml <.
OK, so the source is biased. Try this then:
EXCLUSIVE – "Obama's Boundless Pettiness: Has "Lt. Bush" Name Painted Over on Plane From Former Prez's Air Force Service"
By Debbie Schlussel June 30, 2009
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2009/06/exclusive_-_oba.html
There you go again Marshall with a false premise. You must know that Michael does’nt just squat to take a dump – he has a devine defecation.
This is getting confusing. You were wearing a skirt when you were 16?
Prego!
Marshall. Do not disagree with one word that you wrote. Unusual.
Very interesting that people were told that the jerky movements of Michael Jackson were wonderful dance steps, and they believed and they worshiped him, even when he became a freak and a known pedophile!
Mass hysteria I guess!
All very true. Makes me think of all the athletes who commit crimes and expect to get away with it.. and often do. My father once said that everyone, rich or poor, famous or not, puts their pants on one leg at a time.
Very good column.
Is there anything else going on in the world this week ?
Marshall, you are so much right! We tend to idolize those who either do not deserve it, or who are just forced upon us by the media and folklore.
Sometimes, the one we put in a pedesal is a performer, or a poet, or a politician..Sometimes, a friend or, that one we think is a friend and in fact, stabs us in the back while pretending to be one.
Regardless, if we just looked at people for what they are, not what they are worth or what they have the ability to do, we just may be a much happier nation.
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
I agree with you basically in you had to say, Marshall, as have most of the others. I was glad to find that only once did I notice the word “freak” used in describing MJ, whose pressures in life caused him to behave “differently”. I saw a man on TV who terribly scarred for life after being severely burned as a child. I’ve seen several who, with cerebral palsy who walked very ungainly –are they also “freaks”? MJ was pushed into the spotlight very early in life. He had a talent that was recognized early, and would have been developed anyway, but he had a “stage father”, who seemingly saw Michael as his “rising star” among his children, and could not simply sit back and enjoy Michael’s success, but expected perfection in him, even to the point of physically abusing Michael if he did not rise to what the father expected.
As others have pointed out, idolatry did not begin with MJ. Not only in the entertainment field, but throughout history, individuals have been put on pedestals. But they die, and are eventually forgotten. This, too, shall pass. And life goes on, along with war and politics. Let us let Michael rest in piece.
Very great article, Marshall. It was a sad day for me, learning of his death, as I grew up listening to his magical voice ever since he was with The Jackson Five.
You have made some very good points, especially the one regarding OJ.
IMHO, who are we, or anyone else to judge Michael? I truly feel that he’ll be judged, (innocent or not), by Him who does judge these sorts of things. May Michael rest in peace.
Oh, I forgot to add…your first comment made me think of something my father in law,( who has now passed away), used to say, “Don’t let anyone think they are better than you are, after all, they put their pants on one leg at a time, just as we all do.”
Marshall,
You are so correct. I believe in the Old Testament is says something like there shall be no other
gods before me, you shall not worship craven images.
I had an idol once. He was a neighbor who died at 98 years old.Every day he read his bible, worked in yard, tried to help anyone who needed a helping hand, rarely had much to say about anyone or anything except good things. He was gracious, had a smile for everyone, took an interest in what folks told him, and truly cared about his fellow man. He didn’t drink, smoke, or swear. He lost his wife around 1995 when he was still a pup of only 88.
Yes, I did idolize him but I never worshipped him. Worship of these celebrity level folks, presidential ones, and religious frauds will continue, I guess, until our human race awakes to its true destiny.
I erred. I should have said “it says something like there shall be no other
gods before Me,”
About Michael Jackson… He’s done a lot for the world; ie: songs such as “man in the mirror,” “heal the world,” and “we are the world.” He’s done so much to get a message across that we need to make a change in the world.
Can anyone imagine how greatly the world would have or may have changed had he preaced Christ to the world? He would have attracted and encouraged so many to change their ways and follow Jesus. What a wonderful world we would have……………………