Idolatry and ‘Second Biggest Story of Century’

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

~ Ex 20:2-6

According to research by the Global Language Monitor (GLM), the election of President Barack Obama was the biggest story of the century.  Whether you agree with his platform or not, the election of a non-white to the White House certainly is one of the biggest events in our nation’s history.

Some seemed to make a Messiah-like figure out of Mr Obama prior to the election.  Indeed, after hearing several interviews on TV, one has to wonder if there weren’t some that didn’t actually idolize him.

No one has to wonder if some didn’t idolize Michael Jackson.  According to the GLM, “Michael Jackson’s death ‘second biggest story of century’”.  This is quite a claim, considering the first decade of the century isn’t even over yet.  The Telegraph reported:

Jackson’s death received more coverage than the Iraq War, 9/11 and the global financial meltdown, last year’s Beijing Olympics, Hurricane Katrina, the death of Pope John Paul II and the Tsunami.

In the 72 hours after his death, the Jackson story generated twice as much web news as coalition troops entering Iraq did in the same period.

The guy was an entertainer.  Why does this country put so much stock into people who do nothing more than put on a show while true everyday heroes often die deaths of quietness?

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

~ 1Sa 16:7