Question:
Where is the line between admiration and idolization?
liz v
2009-07-07 15:54:38 UTC
I really enjoy Micheal Jackson's songs and videos. I grew up listening to his music. I have great admiration for this man who had a great talent. And it grieved me when I found out that he died. With all the coverage of his death I have heard some mention that we should be careful not to idolize him. Where is the line? And could you give scriptures that clarify it for me?
Nine answers:
2009-07-07 16:05:32 UTC
An idol is any object or thing of devotion. Admiration is something done at a distance while devotion is more intimate.

The word Fan is the root of Fanatic. True Fans go to every concert have every song, every poster, every video. This is definitely idolatry.

The other extreme is you may have a few songs, have watched a video or been to a concert. This is admiration.



In spirituality, when ones devotion to God is superceded by other interests God is no longer the thing being worshipped but the distraction is.
Moi
2009-07-07 15:58:55 UTC
It's not a line, it's a progression (like on a scale of ten with 1 being admiration and 10 being outright idolatry)



Today we idolize singers, athletes and movie stars. God is not impressed.



Look up the word "worship" and it says to revere, venerate, honor, etc. Do we not do these things with our superstars?



Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
2009-07-07 15:58:33 UTC
I think we may be way past that line.
HPfan7
2009-07-07 15:57:50 UTC
i think really you just shouldnt worship him. its okay to admire someone, or look up to someone as a role model, but the only one that you should worship is God.
Poohcat1
2009-07-07 15:58:37 UTC
To idolize a human being...even an extremely talented one...is to hold him above other humans in his value.



I too felt sadness at hearing of his passing...but he was just as you and I...a mere human being, nothing more. And from what I heard about him today during the memorial service, he would agree with me.
Hugo C
2009-07-07 15:58:29 UTC
Erm... when you start worshiping him? when you start getting obsessed with him?
2009-07-07 17:58:21 UTC
I would say the world has show who they worshiped MJ. It makes you wonder how they could think that he was like God.

These people are allowing talent to make them think that MJ was like Jesus. MJ himself likened himself to Jesus. I failed to see the resemblance.

I know I used to buy his songs and listen to them. But at no time was I so gone on him that I idolized him. It is an unnatural idea that a singer is the healer of the nations, and love of ones life.

Yet these rock idols become more to some then eating and drinking.

I am sad he died like he did. I bless his family at this very hard time in their lives, and his children.
Nivaldo Nicoliche
2009-07-07 16:16:54 UTC
It is an act of respect and faith. You do not kneel at the feet of your parents to thank the design, creation and virtues? So that a person is faithful to the Word, another person can be faithful representations of the Sacred. There is no falsehood in the field of Faith, Love, Knowledge, Justice, Law, Development and Generation, Divine Throne of God. Love the neighbor, as yourself, in love with Jesus is a new and unique Law The prejudice, hatred, bias and other inequities human progress is that the delay of collective civilization. The commitment to details makes the monster move that involves us, the unit will occur soon and in a way that many do not approve, because selfishness reigns and will be difficult to practice the full truth to charity, because many will say, Lord! Lord! And the answer was the "Apartai you from me!", Will continue to reincarnate until set and there is reincarnation ... Of Umbanda and I know that for many and we are doomed to perdition, I know for sure, since most of you already redeem worth an eternity and I regret not to be fulfilling that mission, some born to be saved and others to save and serve God in its fullness using the minor glands brain, the pineal to maintain contact with spirits of Light and assist the needy, if God allows that we have to scrape or paint nails, that would interact with it in its creation is plan that is? The king is reported to Daniel by a necromancer, is in the Old Testament, when I say old, this old boot. If the Spirit of truth, Jesus has promised to allow the spiritual communication, we are just fulfilling our mission. Axé very much light and peace to all.
SG
2009-07-07 16:01:09 UTC
idolize is more materialistic. it means not looking @ the whole picture sort of. or to me anyway. to admire someone is to appreciate their good qualities . to idolize someone is to think they are great and make no mistakes, like they are not human so to speak. kind of like a lot of people are about Obama. I admire him for his success but i don't idolize him just because he is the first 1/2 black president.


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