ANGLICANLife
3
October 2009
youth voice
Pop culture & faith
Allison Billard
Part 2 - Contemporary idol worship Disclaimer: This piece appeared in its original form at: www.generation.anglican.ca It has been modified for length, audience and medium.
Welcome to part two in my series on how pop culture is distracting us from faith. There is an issue here, that may even be greater than the body image crisis fuelled by the media: The concept of “celebrity” has become synonymous with “idolized.” We are making idols out of these pop culture icons, and it is heading into dangerous territory. In addition to fuelling body
image issues, society’s obsession with celebrity and the need to know everything they’re doing, highlighting each destructive or damaging moment is taking a toll on the faith development of each individual and the faith community as a whole. We don’t have time or space in our lives for God and His Word. We practically worship these “idols”: Brittany Spears, Mylie Cyrus, Barack Obama just to name a few. There are all sorts of reasons that we “worship” them, some are very legitimate: I would have voted for Obama, too, if given the chance because the man is brilliant and has the potential to enact some
serious change. But he is just one man, albeit with a powerful position and a host of people around him who are able to make important and powerful decisions that might actually change the world. But he isn’t a superhero. Many people have unrealistic expectations of the man, he is on such a high pedestal that the potential fall could be fatal. Other obsessions are considerably less legitimate although still perfectly human. We want to have others to look up to, we like to be entertained and it is in our nature to be curious (and even nosy) so when the gossip mill starts running it’s hard to stop. Suddenly we’re fascinated by
which stars are dating, marrying or divorcing and we can’t get enough of the gossip. It’s like a train wreck, you just can’t look away. But if I hear one more time that Brittany Spears has put on weight so help me I think I’ll scream. Personally I think it’s about time the poor girl ate a cheeseburger and put on a little weight, she was starting to look a little gaunt. We need to care less about the lives of the people we see on TV and in movies. It’s as simple as that. But where do we start? I’m not sure. I would start by trying to find God in all the media we encounter. Is there a bigger message here? How should I
feel about what I’m seeing or reading? How does it impact my life and the life of those I know? If we think a little more actively we might find we’re able to find room for God in all the media madness, and maybe even come to understand our relationship with him a little better. Discuss the things you see and hear actively, always seek out the bigger picture, and never stop questioning the validity of what you read or see or hear. Youth especially need to be reminded that just because it’s in print or on TV doesn’t make it true.
News from Stephenville parish Article & Photos by Caren Noseworthy
On 22 March 2009, the Rev Dawn Barrett was inducted as rector of St Augustine’s Parish in Stephenville. Bishop Percy Coffin led the service accompanied by Archdeacon Ed King, and Rev Roberta Woodman.Rev Dawn took up her duties as rector in December 2008. Originally from Newfoundland, she and her husband Edward came from a parish in Wellsville, New York, USA. They were living there from 2002 to 2008. We are thankful that she decided to come to Stephenville when the opportunity to return home was available. We welcomed Rev. Dawn Barrett and her husband with a potluck luncheon and a parish gathering after the 11am service. In other Parish news, on 21 June 2009 at St Augustine’s Church, the Religion and Life certificates were presented to three generations of a grandmother, mother, and daughter.
Three generations: (left to right) Heather Tiller, Maureen Tiller, and Mae Lomond receive the Religion & Life Certificates. New Rector: Rev. Dawn Barrett (centre) at her Induction.