Wednesday, 17 September 2008
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Currently Listening
Finally Woken
By Jem
see relatedIdolatry
The idolatry of politics can be clearly seen in the weeping faces of supporters with arms raised in supplication to Obama, and heard in the cheers and praise of McCain. At what point does appreciation and respect become idolatry? When do we cross the line and treat man like God?
At McCain’s rally a couple weeks ago, I stood with the throngs in rapt expectation, craned my neck with them to hear what he’d say, and let myself get caught up in the frenzy. When he stopped the bus so he and Palin could meet and greet, I cheered and yelled along with everyone else. I’d never done anything like that for anyone, and I wanted to see what it was like so I shut off my over-analytical mind and let myself go. I started a “USA” chant that swept through the crowd like wildfire, and through the clapping and cheering my ears hurt from a woman behind me screaming thanks and adoration towards McCain. At that point my pesky analytical mind kicked in and did something strange. I watched myself and the others around me and couldn’t help but wonder if we were all wrong to heap such praise upon a mere mortal.
It worries me that people put Godlike qualities on a man, and I’m sickened by scenes from Obama’s speeches where supporters exalt him as a Messianic figure and faint and cry during his speeches. Respect and appreciation are one thing; idolatry is quite another. Where is that fine line between respect and idolatry? What does it look like? Is it a definable boundary? Or is it a heart issue, discernible only to the individual?
Idolatry is nothing new, and it’s often celebrated. Heck, we even have a hit reality show promoting it. As a Christian, worshiping anything or anyone other than God is idolatry. Thus, heaping praise and adoration on a man or woman, regardless of their qualities, must be sinful. Man is flawed and rebellious from birth. It’s no wonder then that generations have sought to create God in their own image and even made others, or themselves, gods on earth.
Idolatry is nothing new, and it’s easy to be deceived into directing our worship to worldly things. Therefore, we must be on our guard lest we lose sight of the only one deserving of our praise.
(p.s. – here's the latest example of idolatry sneaking its way into politics. It's a new merchandise line from the Obama campaign.)
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Comments (3)
i agree with the main thesis of this point, but as far as the sign, thats believers FOR obama, not OF obama, presumably christian backers of obama, to call it idolatry is a bit of a stretch in my opinion, what terrifies me is calvinistic empire building
True, but the "for" is quite small. At first glance it's easy to misread it. Even if the "for" was hugely noticeable, I still object to the sign regardless of whose name is at the bottom because it's intention isn't too plain. It can go either way, and it suggests that the believers' beliefs and the candidate are intertwined...perhaps even that the candidate embodies their beliefs. I know what it says in print, but I'm worried at what lies between the lines.
Great thoughts, Erik. I'm so glad Taylor finally let me read your words. Considering some conversations I've had with students here lately, they just might be a bit too mature for them.