The Cult of Personality

In the 1995 film, “To Die For,” Nicole Kidman’s character, Suzanne, says, “You aren’t really anybody in America if you aren’t on TV.” In an aside, another character quotes Suzanne with the following commentary:

Suzanne used to say that you're not really anybody in America unless you're on TV... 'cause what's the point of doing anything worthwhile if there's nobody watching? So when people are watching, it makes you a better person. So if everybody was on TV all the time, everybody would be better people. But, if everybody was on TV all the time, there wouldn't be anybody left to watch, and that's where I get confused.

Reality TV has intensified this notion that anyone can and perhaps even should be a celebrity as if the ambition of Suzanne to be seen is the pinnacle of human endeavor.  Rock group Living Color produced a song in 1988 called “Cult of Personality,” a biting critique of fame.  And while the message in the lyrics seems a bit muddled, the danger of idolatry is clearly noted.

Yet, without any sense of irony, our present culture seems to glory in idolatry – in the cult of personality.  But such idol worship makes a mockery of real life.  As Donna the Buffalo sings, “What does all this Hollywood really have to do with us?”

Reality TV has nothing to do with real life.  And if we seek to make real life anything like TV, then life becomes hypocritical, vacuous and superficial.  An actor I know recently told me that reality TV is just bad drama/comedy that has taken the place of good stories and acting.  And yet the American public either has an insatiable thirst for bad TV, or Hollywood is intent on making us into dumbed-down consumers of shallowness.

Real life is not a hunk of a guy having a harem of women clamoring for his attention.  Real life is not a competition to stay on an island.  In real life, the kitchen should not the setting for a competition.  In real life, we don’t consider the bad behavior of other people as a form of entertainment.

As a Christian, I cling to the promise of Jesus that he came that we may have life to the full (John 10:10).  There’s not much on TV or in Hollywood that hints at fullness of life.  I prefer the interactions of real people in real time - Taking a walk in a local park with my wife.  Playing guitar with my talented, musician children.  Preparing a meal and anticipating my guests’ pleasure.  Visiting the sick in an attempt to provide comfort and encouragement.  Providing shelter for those temporarily on the streets and having conversation with them as an acknowledgement of our common humanity.  Going to work each day and honoring the contributions of my fellow workers. 

Real life seems less spectacular than reality TV and the cult of personality.  But then, who ever said that a full life should be a spectacle?  Jesus, whose personality is certainly compelling, eschewed any sense of spectacle when he refused the Satan’s temptation to leap off the pinnacle of the temple in order to draw attention to himself.  His example is a counterpoint to the self-idolatry promoted in our present age.

I long for fullness of life for everyone.  Such fullness is not found in the range of the camera lens but in the day to day loving of one another.  May your life be so full.

You Are Beautiful

Mechthild of Magdeburg was a 13^th Century mystic who left a seven volume work entitled, “The Flowing Light of the Godhead.”  I happened upon a prayer attributed to her – “Lord, help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is.”  For many of us, who tend to be hard on ourselves, this prayer comes as a sweet surprise.  We’re ready, it seems, to see the ugliness of our souls – prepared to beat ourselves up once again.  But, Mechthild helps us to see God, and ourselves, from a different point of view. 

            Matthew Fox, chastised Roman Catholic theologian of the 20^th Century, wrote a book entitled, “Original Blessing,” in which he pointed out that the Biblical story does not begin with original sin (ugliness), but original blessing (beauty).  “And God saw everything that [God] had made and, indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

            One of the sad legacies of some strains of Christianity is the rather strict puritanical perspective that induces neurotic guilt in its adherents.  This is so counter to any understanding of original blessing and beauty that I would have to say that such severe notions of Christianity are not Christian at all.  Jesus came that we might “have life to the full” (John 10:10). 

            Admittedly, Jesus tells some parables in which the characters are cast into the outer darkness, but mostly because these characters were not prepared to celebrate life (the foolish maidens, the banquet-goers who don’t dress for the banquet, the talent-waster who refuses to take any chances). And remember that these are parables, given to hyperbole (exaggeration), in order to make a point.  Life with Jesus seems to be more about stretching the limits of life, rather than adhering to restrictions.

The prophet Zephaniah gives us a picture of an other-than-severe God (3:17):

The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
    he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

            In conversation yesterday with a friend, he reminded me of Eugenia Price’s book, The Wider Place, in which she testifies to the expansive nature of God’s grace.  The more recent book, UnChristian, describes how the secular world has been put off by puritanical, judgmental Christians.  Well, the world should be put off by Christians who purport to be the thought police.  But the world should also know that such Christianity is an aberration. 

            There is a wide place for those who feel hemmed in.  There is a healing balm for those who beat themselves up.  There are green pastures and still waters for souls who need rest.  There is singing and dancing which abounds around a laughing Jesus (Matthew 11:19).  There is original blessing in every creature God has made, even you, even me.  Lord, help me to believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is.  Amen.