Modern-Day Idols
Have you ever heard of a twenty-first century idol? What do we mean by that word anyway? I know we all watch "American Idol," but why is it called by that name rather than "American Pop Star?" What significance does the word "idol" have? H'mm, it baffles me. Let's look into this a little bit.
Most people consider an idol something that a person worships as part of a religion, many of which date back to pre-biblical times. Some may even argue that today, educated people have no idols, only tangible items that can be scientifically proven to exist have any power over their lives. I beg to differ, because a tangible item (or person) can be an idol.
Yesterday, I saw idol worship of a tangible person in action. A movie was being filmed in a diner next to my place of work. When I went out to lunch, I saw a lot of young girls all waiting outside one of the trailers. I asked who they were waiting for, and they said Robert Pattinson. I must admit that at age 54, I did not know who he is. Returning to work, I heard screaming, looked out of my office window to see the actor being hurried into a car and driven away. Paparazzi snapped pictures of the scene, while the screaming girls ran into the street in front of the car. I must say that the driver of that car was the best driver I have ever seen, avoiding an accident with the crowd.
Now, I was much the same when I was young over the Beatles, so I am not attempting to excuse myself in any way; I am simply making a point that idol worship is not exclusive to religions, such as the ancient Egyptian gods. We see it every day, but we just don't recognize it. There is idol worship of Elvis, John Lennon and now Michael Jackson. These are just things that happen in peoples lives and probably always will. It's part of life.
Most people consider an idol something that a person worships as part of a religion, many of which date back to pre-biblical times. Some may even argue that today, educated people have no idols, only tangible items that can be scientifically proven to exist have any power over their lives. I beg to differ, because a tangible item (or person) can be an idol.
Yesterday, I saw idol worship of a tangible person in action. A movie was being filmed in a diner next to my place of work. When I went out to lunch, I saw a lot of young girls all waiting outside one of the trailers. I asked who they were waiting for, and they said Robert Pattinson. I must admit that at age 54, I did not know who he is. Returning to work, I heard screaming, looked out of my office window to see the actor being hurried into a car and driven away. Paparazzi snapped pictures of the scene, while the screaming girls ran into the street in front of the car. I must say that the driver of that car was the best driver I have ever seen, avoiding an accident with the crowd.
Now, I was much the same when I was young over the Beatles, so I am not attempting to excuse myself in any way; I am simply making a point that idol worship is not exclusive to religions, such as the ancient Egyptian gods. We see it every day, but we just don't recognize it. There is idol worship of Elvis, John Lennon and now Michael Jackson. These are just things that happen in peoples lives and probably always will. It's part of life.
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