Question: What do Michael Jackson and Pope John Paul II have in common?
Answer: They were the most recent famous public figures whose bodies were chosen for public viewing after their deaths.
Before Michael Jackson, another famous figure whose body was public viewing was Pope John Paul II in April 2005. Droves of Catholics, people of faith, and tourists filled St. Peter's Square, standing in line to wait for a glimpse of the religious father figure who had bridged so many faiths, countries, and cultures. Before that, even though Princess Diana's body was never presented for public viewing, her death in August 1997 brought together waves of people who left a blanket of bouquets outside Buckingham Palace.
Since the announcement that Michael Jackson's body will be sent back to his Neverland estate for public viewing this Friday, there's no doubt millions will descend upon Neverland to get a first and last look at the King of Pop. While this may be sacrilegious to say, it's quite possible the crowd of mourners might outnumber the ones who left bouquets for Princess Diana and the ones who visited Pope John Paul II.
Yet, what does it mean when the legacy of a pop music royalty can trump--and almost outweigh--the legacy of religious royalty and blood royalty?
In a way, Michael Jackson was able to transcend more religions, cultures, ethnicities, and even cultures than Pope John Paul II. Whether or not you loved MJ, he was a huge icon of the 80s and there's no doubt everyone in the world has heard about him and heard his music. Does this mean that the legacy of his pop culture fame is more meaningful than the legacy of religious fame? And what do the responses to his death tell us about what is sacred today?
Professor Gary Laderman has written a thought-provoking piece about the intersection of celebrity, funeral rituals and faith in response to Michael Jackson's death. Excepts from the piece are below:
"The recent announcement that Michael Jackson's body will be put on display for public viewing is not surprising. Regardless of his private beliefs at the time of his death, Jackson is embedded in a larger religious culture that requires fans have one last look and intimate moment with their adored celebrity saint. But more significant than any religious tradition is Jackson's standing in the public eye, and his celebrity status as more than an idol in the pop culture landscape.
"The moment of death and the public response to the life cut short called forth religious behaviors and emotions and attachments that put this sacred quality into sharp relief. Think of Valentino and the riots surrounding the funeral home in NY that gave the public what they wanted, a last look at their venerated screen icon; or recall the death and funeral ceremonies for Elvis Presley, whose drug ravaged body was also embalmed and given over to the public who made the pilgrimage to Graceland. Only a few celebrities achieve this level of adoration..." >>Click here to read the full article
Do you think that fame trumps faith? Does the importance of Michael Jackson's death transcend even the deaths of faith figures?
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Have we become a world/nation of human worshippers or idol worshippers? The good Michael did through his music will without a doubt live on in our hearts and should, but a public display of his physical remains I think should not happen. A private service is what I would do, and a public memorial service for fans and all who loved, admired and respected this most talented individual (I was one of them)would be more appropriate.
Try to disregeard gossip and see the big picture. Regardless of what you think about either one of them,both, by their genius united millions of people around the world brreaking the barriers of race, religion, and social status, pleading for pace, love and understanding. They both, in their own ways tried to save the world.
I think the Christian Churches failure to magnify Christ is the reason men can be held-up so high. Many Christian denominations don't even believe or practice the presence of GOD. How can the world see an invisible GOD unless The Body of Christ shows them. Who can deny the Power of a face to face encounter with Christ.
How can anyone that knows God and believes in his son Jesus that never sinned and was here for a purpose, to turn us from sin and have the hope of eternal life in Heaven with Him by believing in Him Confessing him as Son of God repentance of your past, present sins and being Baptised (emersed from the Greek Batismo) for the life after in Heaven. People today are so far from God and so close to Satan that sin is nothing in their eyes today. Their idol worshipping , their efeminism, their lies, fornication, hate, adultry, drunkenness, drugs, cursing filthy language. All this God condemmed and He said not I but he said that these sins will cast you in hell for eternity. Don't take my word for it. Pick up your Bible its in there for everyone to read. You can only come to faith by first hearing the Word. Have you really forgotten who made you?. I pitty all of you, but pray that you all will come to know Christ our Lord. Forget so fast? How your Idols lived,and died in sin? suicide overdose of drugs? This is not worship of anyone that is holy but far from it. Satan wants you and he already has you because of the way you live and how and what you believe.
http://www.earnedmedia.org/lp0629.htm
Cut and paste above to see where "World's Leading Internet Evangelist Claims Michael Jackson Is"
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