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LETTER: Worship a golden casket now, or walk a golden street later

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Letter to the Editor

in Opinions

Monday, July 20. 2009

Comments (14)

Dear Editor:

I was a Michael Jackson fan in the 1980s. Who wasn’t? His talent and music was everywhere. It was on the new cable station called “MTV,” displayed on posters, climbing the record charts, and entertaining moon-walking fans in packed concert halls. But Jackson’s story is a sad one, because as time went on he just got weirder, greedier, and more lost.

In Romans 1, Paul talks about unbelief and its consequences. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools …They exchanged the truth of God for a lie…”

I chose not to watch any of the Jackson funeral coverage. But one photograph did catch my eye. I saw a raised dais in front of adoring multitudes who were singing, dancing, and mourning while celebrating a weird man inside a golden casket.

It reminded me of the golden calf, and the truth the sons of Israel exchanged for a lie. Remember when Moses went up the mountain to talk with God, and he was gone for 40 days and 40 nights? The sons of Israel were told by the Lord, “You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves.” (Ex 20:23). But they got impatient. Thinking that Moses was never coming back, they took matters into their own hands. They made a golden calf, an idol, before which, they sang, danced, sacrificed, and celebrated. (Ex 32:1-6)

The multitudes who revered a singer who spent millions on himself as fast as he could get it, who dangled his baby out a high-rise window, who injected drugs daily, starved his body, and underwent face-changing operations because of self hatred, have made a poor exchange of truth for idol worship.

I read that the nation’s business came to a complete stop during the funeral as the House staffers were all watching it on the Internet, which almost crashed under the load. I wonder how many people felt let down after the Jackson hoopla vanished. Maybe the casket-worshippers are wondering, “Hmmm, what next? I feel empty.”

If you feel empty that is because you are. You have traded the truth for an idol. The fact is, you can worship a golden casket now, or you can walk a golden street later.

If you want to find out how to make that empty, let-down feeling disappear, you can. Just call or visit any good bible believing preacher in the county and he will tell you about perfect truth and joy. A few years ago, I exchanged the lie for truth. In return for abandoning the golden casket I will walk on the golden street in heaven. I hope to see you on the golden street someday. And you can be sure, we will not be moon-walking.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Prata

Comer

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#1 Madison County Resident on 07/20/09 at 07:50 PM [Reply]

I never bought into the Michael Jackson hoopla. I never tried to learn to moon walk. I never wanted to listen to his music and I always thought he was weird. He has never been someone I want kids to look up to as a role model like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton they are not role models. After they get so famous the only thing left for them to do is have a melt down?
But I couldn't believe all the hoopla over the Jackson funeral and the cost. Look at what he did with his life and he gets this big lavish funeral? Look at what Jesus Christ did for mankind and WE hung him on a cross. Did he get a Golden casket or a big lavish funeral? No they put his body in a tomb and that was supposed to be it? But we all know what happen on the third day.

#1.1 Anonymous on 07/21/09 at 11:27 AM [Reply]

One day you will be walking on that golden street, walking through those golden arches, being showered with gold!

Hallelujah! Preach on, Sister Beth!

#1.1.1 Madison County Resident on 07/21/09 at 02:24 PM [Reply]

Yes Anonymous I too think Elizabeth was right on the mark. I even heard someone on TV say: She didn't know how the world could carry on after the death of Michael Jackson? I thought how sad for people to feel like this after the death of a human being. I can understand someone saying they didn't know how they will carry on after the death of a spouse or loved one but that is someone you know very well and most of these people have never even met Michael Jackson.

#1.1.1.1 JC on 07/21/09 at 05:07 PM [Reply]

Wait a second...if the only reason, or even just one of the reasons, you have faith is to get those golden streets, are you really any different than Michael Jackson or anyone else motivated by gold and rewards?

#2 Blake on 07/21/09 at 05:08 AM [Reply]

You do not have to visit a church to find common sense. Not everyone believes what you believe. I like Madison county, I dislike the "everyone must believe what I believe" mentality.

#2.1 Madison County Resident on 07/21/09 at 10:14 AM [Reply]

And Blake what is it that you believe? Do you believe in God or do you think we come from monkeys? I never said everyone had to believe what I believe? Did you worship Michael Jackson like God? I'll tell you what lets wait 3 days or 3 weeks and if he comes back from the dead that will change my mind?

#2.1.1 Anonymous on 07/21/09 at 10:59 PM [Reply]

If you are referring to evolution, you are way off the mark by saying "people came from monkeys". That's not what it is at all. Not that people cam from monkeys, but that they share a common ancestor.

#2.1.1.1 Madison County Resident on 07/22/09 at 11:18 PM [Reply]

Ok Anonymous you may have come from a monkey but let me ask and tell you something Adam was the first living thing on Earth Then God made Eve Then God told Adam he was over all things. So if man was before monkeys wouldn't that make monkeys came from humans?
Another question: What came first the chicken or the egg? Or Your Mama or you?????

#3 AC on 07/21/09 at 07:38 AM [Reply]

Dear Elizabeth Prata,
I can't help but notice that you wrote a hatred filled letter and cited the Bible as your reference. Michael Jackson may be strange to you, but there are multitudes that relate to him. Let me also remind you that he donated millions of dollars to Aids charities, to feed the homeless, plus 39 other charities that he supported. He also started the Heal the World Foundation that gave aid to countries all over the world. As far as the drug references, Jackson used sleeping medication because he had severe insomnia. Hanging a baby out of a window is indeed a foolish error, but let me ask you how many times you have put an infant in a car where a child is much more likely to die by trama? Judging others isn't going to get you in heaven any faster. See the good in people. You don't know Michael Jackson's personal relationship with God. He is capable of sinning just as much as you or I am, but he is also capable of being forgiven. I "don't feel empty" now that the "Jackson hoopla has vanished." I'm singing a happy song called Heal the World. Maybe you should look it up. You might like it.

#3.1 Madison County Resident on 07/21/09 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

Ok AC you say Elizabeth wrote a hatred filled letter but she said she followed him but he was strange and weird. He may have given millions of dollars to all these charities but he had the money to give and it helps stars to give money for the tax breaks? And as far as the multitudes that relate to him. How many of those people were molested by him? When you have the kind of money he had you can't be found guilty.You let a common every day Joe do what he did and he would have been found guilty and put under the jail. And as far as the sleep medication he was on before he died he ask a doctor to give him something stronger and the doctor wouldn't because the drugs he wanted could only be given by a doctor and they would have had to watch him after they give it to him. The doctor even said she didn't know if he had got the drug off the street? Elizabeth just stated the facts? So you need to moonwalk your butt away from this story.

#4 Blake on 07/22/09 at 08:38 AM [Reply]

I liked MJ's music as much as the next person. I think he had a terrible childhood and many mental problems. Other than that, I could care less. I didn't personally know him and he was not on my "top" lists of performers.

As to what I believe, why yes, I do believe monkeys and humans do share an ancestral being. Evolution happened and is happening as we speak. Everything evolves. You however do not have to believe that, believe what you will. I will not criticize or bash your beliefs. I will not push my beliefs on you or tell you that you are wrong.

We have to coexist in this world. I do not need to be "saved" from something that is not real to me. I am not lost, running from god and I do not worship satan. Why don't you take a look at what some of our politicians and "mega" church leaders are doing with not just their money, but our money as well.

#5 Jim on 07/22/09 at 09:21 AM [Reply]

He was a child molester. A pervert... Now you can make him out to be something great, won't change what he was. Even Hitler had a few good qualities. Yet he destroyed millions in his quest for world leadership. I thought the piece written was on point and correct. This lady did not condemn this person. I think she spoke from the heart out of concern for those who follow a false God.

#6 Shocked on 07/22/09 at 01:25 PM [Reply]

Oh wow, this is funny. AC tries to point out that a true Christian spirit doesn't use hate as a message....and gets a hateful letter in response. It continues to amuse me how many "Christians" believe that hate not love is the way to heaven. A true follower of Christ loves even their enemy. Madison County resident can you say that? And anonymous, heaven is not McDonalds, streets of gold there may be but I doubt we will walk in to the "golden arches". I could be wrong of course.

#6.1 Madison County Resident on 07/22/09 at 10:38 PM [Reply]

Yes Shocked I can say that I have nothing but love for Michael Jackson but that don't mean I have to agree with his lifestyle.I love my fellow man. I may not like their ways and choose not to be around them but I like all man even you.
Michael Jackson is dead,Gone from this world and there is nothing you or I can do about where he went,if he went to heaven or hell? All we can do is pray he was saved when he died and it don't matter how much money he gave to charities IF he wasn't saved he's in hell.

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