The Problem with Giving Others God-Status
When our favourite singers, politicians, entrepreneurs fall off the pedestal society puts them on, who should get the blame?
Photographer: Jeremy Choh. Fashion Stylist: Jana Bartolo. Hair Stylist: Georgia Ramman. Makeup Artist: Joel Phillips. Models: Rossana Latallada & Reece McDonald.
THE RISE TO THE TOP
It seems like every day there is a new celebrity or person in the public eye targeted by the internet, sometimes for an off-the-mark comment and other times for a comment which warrants accountability.
We expect those with a platform to lead by example without tripping up, but why?
We follow their lives and movements taking them from someone who is simply leading in their sphere to a public figure whose whole life we have access to.
Through the eyes that follow them, we label them as role models within society, and in doing so, we might, knowingly or unknowingly, place them on a pedestal making everything they do and say up for scrutiny.
They might sit on this pedestal because we admire them for the name they have made for themselves, the way they have mastered their craft or because they live a lifestyle we have been told to strive for.
Perhaps we find motivation through them, thinking that if they’ve made it then we can too. We give them God-status, leaving them with no room for human error.
But, no matter how talented or brilliant we think these figures are because they’re human, they will fall, and when they do it’s often a long way down.
HERO TO HUMAN
Recently, Creative Director of fashion brand Pretty Little Thing and influencer, Molly Mae, came under fire after saying on a podcast: ‘... I understand that we all have different backgrounds and we’re all raised in different ways and we do have different financial situations, but I do think if you want something enough, you can achieve it. It just depends what lengths you want to go to to achieve it.’
Many took to social media to say these comments were tone deaf and came from a place of privilege.
Podcaster, Joe Rogan, also found himself under fire after his use of racial slurs in earlier episodes came to light, as well as some claiming more recent episodes spread misinformation about coronavirus.
Much more seriously, Manchester United football player, Mason Greenwood, was accused of rape and assault. This left not just football fans but a wider pool of onlookers, understandably outraged.
Although not comparable, these three examples evoked similar emotions within parts of society.
The acts themselves should not be excused, but perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised when human beings fall off the pedestal. Serious wrongdoings and comments of those both with and without a platform should always be held to account, but when we look to those in the public eye for inspiration, we set ourselves up for disappointment.
A NEW ROLE MODEL
As humans, we will always slip up (‘Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.’ Ecclesiastes 7:20, NIV), so maybe we should find an idol that goes beyond the red carpet.
The Bible tells us that through Jesus, we have a role model who will never disappoint us or fall short. (For the Scripture says, And whoever believes in him will certainly not be disappointed. I Peter 2:6, NIV).
A personal relationship with God offers us hope, through which we come to know that He is the only one who will fulfil all our needs. (‘And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19, NIV.)
It could be argued that our expectations are not always met but, even if we experience disappointment, we can trust that ultimately God is in control or that he exceeds our expectations in ways we perhaps don't expect. Also, unlike when we glorify other humans when we put God first, the relationship goes two ways: we are honouring Him and He is supporting us.
It is not wrong to celebrate the accomplishments of others, but instead of looking to humans to be something we were never capable of being when we save God-status for God only, we set ourselves up for a much more enjoyable way of living.
WORDS BY
Ellie Dalton
