Photos were posted all over the internet today of pop star Miley Cyrus and boyfriend Justin Gaston attending church with the whole Cyrus family.
I’m more than a little disturbed that a trip to church was turned into a photo opp. Not that the Cyrus family asked for the photographer to snap all those pics, but good grief. Doesn’t anyone have any respect for God? Come on, give not only the family a break, but everyone else who was at church on Sunday.
(Side note: I used to go to a church that would tape the service for broadcast on public TV. One Sunday, I was sitting in the back where I could see the monitors, and I realized that they were zooming in on people in the congregation during the service. Another time, they were taking pics for a new brochure, and during a prayer and worship time, a flash bulb went off in front of me. They were actually taking pictures during the worship service!)
Sunday services, and any time at church, should be private, for both celebrities and regular folks. Photos of the Cyrus family coming out of Sunday services don’t need to be broadcast all over the internet. It’s not a show, for goodness’ sake.
What do you think? Do you want to see pics of celebs coming out of church? Does it change your impression of them at all? Do you care who goes to church, when, where, and with whom?
Beliefnet
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posted January 5, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I think it makes celebs more real: they’re like us–they have spiritual needs, too (whether it’s Buddhism, Christianity, Paganism, Zoroastrianism–but not Scientology **cringe**).
posted January 5, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I agree…no photos at church. And also, the paparazzi shouldn’t be allowed to take photos of anyone without their permission. They just follow those celebs around from the minute they walk out of their house, as they go shopping, walking down the street…they just hound them everywhere. There should be a law…..
posted January 6, 2009 at 10:02 am
A celebrity lives in a glass house. They know people will be following and photographing them at all stages of their lives. The Cyrus family is no different. Although they may not care for their personal lives being exposed all the time, their profession gives them little choice. As far as being photographed in church…it is really great seeing a teenage star and her family coming out of church instead of a bar or club. The pictures of the Cyrus family exiting church can be used as a pretty neat testimony.
posted January 6, 2009 at 10:37 am
I don’t see why the Cyrus family should be blamed that the paparazzi follows them. If they go to Target, Walmart, Home Depot they are followed. They are just trying to live their lives the best they can and if they can show people that they are faithful Christians then GREAT. As for Scientology … it is a religion unto itself but that does not make it less of a religion. I belive the paparazzi should be banned from taking pictures of families in grief. AND that medical personnel, EMT’s included, should not be allowed to say what transpired in ambulances or homes or hospital hallways.
posted January 6, 2009 at 10:51 am
Good greif! All people need some privacy to become better folks especially when it comes to going to church. Sure it might be a good example to see a celebrity going to church, but they need a place of sanctuary. A place of no judgement between them and God and not between them and the cameras. That’s why many of them fight with camera personnel. Being famous is one thing, let us all recognize we need personal down time to renuvate. In taking time out for God, we can then do our jobs better without all the pressures.
posted January 6, 2009 at 10:51 am
I agree with Melissa and, personally, believe that no one should be photographed at church without their permission. Regarding the Cyrus family, with all due respect…..I would never have known about it if I hadn’t read your blog. In a very real way you are as responsible as the photographers for drawing attention to their church attendence.
As a former Christian I am used to having my faith sensationalized (being a wiccan/witch in October can be a real challenge). So many entertainers have made their faith a part of their public personna we shouldn’t be surprised that their church attendence becomes part of that personna.
posted January 6, 2009 at 11:24 am
Greenman, you hit the nail on the head with the question I ask myself every day: how do I write about Christian music without being part of the spin industry? Trust me, sometimes I end my work day sick of myself and the whole industry. It’s difficult to balance discussing topics in Christian music without sensationalizing them.
I figured most people who read about Miley saw the pics, so it would be a fair topic to bring up.
Thanks for the comments! I’m curious: why are you a former Christian? Did you leave the faith to become Wiccan?
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 6, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Wow, I actually agree with some of all of the previous post. Great points! Church should be private yes, but than it did turn out to be an opportunity to promote religion in a normal & positive way for all to witness. Good message. People are People and basically all alike no mattter how rich or obscure. But, to another thing that has struck me odd since the beginning.. Miley’s Boyfriend? I’m just not buying that one…
posted January 6, 2009 at 1:18 pm
yaaaa this sucks because you can not even see the freaking pictures!!!!!!
posted January 6, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I didn’t post the pictures because to do so would violate copyright. I did include a link where you can see them. Really, it’s just Miley in her ripped jeans and finally, Justin Gaston in something other than a white undershirt! LOL
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 6, 2009 at 3:31 pm
God is so Amazing!
Hopefully the groupies will follow her ways!
Praise God!
posted January 6, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I don’t know about hoping her groupies follow her ways. Do we really want to encourage 16-year-old girls to date 20-year-old guys? Even if the guy is supposedly living in the family home under the watchful eye of her parents?
Just because they all go to church together doesn’t really give me the “stamp of approval” I’d need to be a role model for a tween girl. Or maybe I’m just cranky this afternoon.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 6, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Hi,
I admire the Cyrus family for going to church together and when you are a celebrity this is what happens. The Cyrus family did’t ask for this. They are very popular. The Church is only a building and the PEOPLE are the CHURCH. You have all different types of people
attending and some can’t mind their own buisness,
Thank God the Cyrus family was a t church to worship not to be
photographed, they could not help that. Some people will find anything to grip about to get gossip started and thjat is the DEVIL.
AMEN!
Sincerely,
Patsie Stinoff
May God Bless the Cyrus family!
posted January 6, 2009 at 10:52 pm
What a petty thing to get upset about! Would you rather see Miley in wearing fashionable ripped jeans whil at church or would you rather see her half-naked in Playboy? It’s a no-brainer for me. i wouldn’t even care if Justin wore his trademark T-shirt to church. I am more interested in the salvation of his soul than the clothes he (or she) chose to wear. Like Pastor Stinoff, I am just glad they were in church together as a family.
posted January 7, 2009 at 1:20 am
Hello, I admire the Cyrus family,my 2 daughters love Myle,t.v. show and all.I think they could use some privacy.!!!! AND HAVE SOME PRIVACY!!!!!!
posted January 7, 2009 at 2:32 am
Good to see them all going to church, and sad that photographers have to chronical every movement they make, even more private ones like this. Hope this wasn’t staged by the Cyrus family. Also, hope Miley & her BF listened well, and had regrettable thoughts about the other photos of them circulating on the internet – alone in an apartment or house in some fairly intimate shots, especially for a young girl, barely 16, and the personal shots of her semi-nude that have been leaked by someone. It also disturbs me that her mother made a statement about a year ago (when asked how she was handling Miley with all the fame and stardom) she replied that she was “modeling herself after Jessica & Ashlee Simpson’s mother”. She thought she had done a good job with them.