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In an odd twist of
fate recently, two American entertainment icons breathed their last
breath. Michael Jackson (50) and Farrah Fawcett (62). One was a
"king". The other an "angel". One was played on millions of radios
around the world. The other was taped to millions of bedroom walls.
One was known for a glove. The other was known for a hairstyle.
For several mornings after their untimely deaths, we discussed the
two situations on my radio show on Family-Friendly WBGL (www.wbgl.org).
Once in a very factual, "news-y" fashion...and once as a lead in to
ask the question, "who do you need to 'love on' today before it's
too late".
While the response has been fairly positive, here is a sampling of
the comments I have since received (via phone, email and Facebook)
from our predominantly Christian audience:
"Why are you promoting a pedophile?"
"Our family almost turned off the radio. Talking about Michael
Jackson is not family-friendly."
"I think it's sad that Farrah Fawcett isn't getting the recognition
she deserves because a troubled man like Michael Jackson died."
"Michael Jackson reminds me of my secular days...why do we have to
bring him up?"
"So a child molester died...who cares!"
Complaints for mentioning Michael Jackson - at least a dozen.
Complaints for mentioning Farrah Fawcett - zero.
Sure, Michael Jackson was weird. He had seemingly unhealthy
relationships with children (though he was acquitted of
molestation). He was likely addicted to plastic surgery and pain
killers. He was a recluse and very insecure. He was bankrupt. He
once dangled his young son over a balcony to show him off to the
paparazzi below.
Apparently, those things are worthy of stone-throwing.
Excuse me, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Farrah Fawcett wasn't
exactly the epitome of morality either. She got divorced. She then
lived with a man who wasn't her husband for years. She had a baby
out of wedlock. She's most famous for a picture of her in a
semi-revealing red bathing suit. She posed for Playboy - twice.
Rocks? What rocks?
To be perfectly honest, I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed by the arbitrary
lines that Christians draw. I'm annoyed that some of us make
ourselves feel better by ostracizing others. I'm annoyed that we pay
far more attention to the "plank-sized" problems of others, rather
than the "speck-sized" problems in our own lives. I'm annoyed that
the world pays very close attention as we randomly choose who is
worthy and who isn't. I'm annoyed that much of the world has no
problem with Christ...but a big problem with Christians.
But, I'm not surprised. And, frankly, that annoys me too.
In the Bible, when a woman caught in adultery was brought before
Jesus, many of the religious leaders wanted to stone her. But, in
John 8:7, Jesus said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be
the first to throw a stone."
The only perfect man to ever walk the planet didn't even condemn
this woman. Instead he told her, "go now and leave your life of
sin". What an example!
I'm not asking anyone to embrace Michael Jackson's lifestyle or
music, but I am suggesting that the mere mention of his name and
accomplishments is not inherently evil. No, Michael wasn't perfect.
Neither was Farrah. And neither am I...and neither are you.
If it's not "Christian" to talk on the radio about people who have
fallen short of God's perfect plan, then I should probably find a
new line of work. And I should probably duck.
E-mail Tim
[email protected]
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