Comments on: Observer warned this week: Jackson a ’skeleton’, may die

By: perplexed

perplexed — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:13:56 +0000

You really can’t judge religion on the past. Its laws were implemented during the a certain time period. It had purpose in its day. If you really want to think about something that was segregated, think about classical music and when it was written and played and who got to hear it.

By: Caleb Powers

Caleb Powers — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:58:12 +0000

That’s true, Niall, but only if you take the bad examples. I don’t imagine that you would, for example, take Michael Jackson over Gandhi or Martin Luther King or Bishop Tutu. For every bad religious figure out there, and I despise the bad ones as much as you do, there is a good one, just like for every badly behaving celebrity out there, there is a well behaving one somewhere else.

By: Niall

Niall — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:09:11 +0000

flockwood:

I think my point is that our country’s obsession with religion has had far, far worse effects than our obsession with celebrity. As such, it seems to be that the false gods are far less dangerous in their effects on society than the “true” gods you seem to prefer.

Give me Michael Jackson over Jerry Falwell any day. Every day.

By: madgebaby

madgebaby — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:03:50 +0000

I do think he was one of those people who identify with children more than adults. Bad things can happen as a result, but that’s different than the stereptypical pedophile as depicted in the scandals in the Roman Catholic church for example. Their (situational, traumatized or sadistic pedophiles) have very different reasons for perpetrating–either as a way to work out abuse perpetuated on them at a young age, or to abuse their power, or because of poorly sublimated sexual desires. The confusing thing to me is that he did groom them in the way an offender grooms victims (picking disadvantaged or slightly neglected kids, showering them with affection and material goods, separating them from their parents or guardians, asking them to keep secrets, etc.) This type–differentiated as “fixated” in the literature–presents as an overgrown child. A terrible childhood and addiction to painkillers make this an awful situation. May he and those involved with him find peace.

By: flockwood

flockwood — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:34:13 +0000

Niall,
I don’t think my post criticized Michael Jackson, and that certainly wasn’t my intent. I loved his music and I admired his talent and I was greatly saddened to see his life unravel over the past 20 years. My criticism was aimed at our celebrity-obsessed culture that makes demigods out of entertainers and then destroys them.

By: Niall

Niall — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:48:31 +0000

Well, let’s see. Let’s compare Michael Jackson with the Southern Baptist Convention. Has Michael led a crusade against the rights of gay people? No. Has the SBC? Why yes! Did Michael Jackson lead an inquistion of Baptist seminaries, tossing out anyone who didn’t agree exactly with his idea of orthodoxy? No! The SBC? Hell yes! Did Michael Jackson spend his life condemning to hellfire anyone who didn’t agree with everything he said? No! The SBC? Well, you get the point.

Really, give me the Michael Jacksons of this world over the religious haters and fanatics, any day. They do far, far less damage to people’s lives and souls.

By: perplexed

perplexed — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:52:28 +0000

When I heard of his death, the first thing that came to mind was getting Lisa Marie and her mother to manage his estate so his kids would have something.
I, unlike many others don’t beleive he was a pedophile. I beleive he was locked into a state of being that perpetuated his continued childhood.
He was a product, shaped by the world and produced by an industry that promoted entertainment. He is one of many, and his life has ended like many before him. I just wish there was someway to warn those that are up and coming of what to expect and how to properly maintain yourself.
Rest in peace Michael Jackson, your fate is in the hands of God now!!

By: Cheri

Cheri — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:41:38 +0000

Anything to make us feel better about our own lives, no matter how much it hurts the other person. This is not what God wants from us.

As to Michael Jackson, as soon as I heard about his death, my first thought was this is a repeat of what happened to Karen Carpenter – anorexia. He was just unnaturally skinny, a skeleton with skin stretched across the bones. Combined with the drug abuse, he signed his own death certificate. So sad. Whatever else he was (and I am one who believes he was truly a pedophile) he had an amazing talent.

May God have mercy on his soul.