05.27.05
Posted in faith, culture at 9:52 am by
James wrote a post during election season last year about a ‘personal’ phone call he received from Michael W. Smith. The phone call inspired a post from him. It would seem that folks keep dropping by and posting opinions on Michael W. Smith on his website. Here’s one opinion in response to James’ post that I just couldn’t help but spend a bit of time writing about.
I’m sorry that yall feel the way yall do towards Michael. Michael has got to be the first person that I’ve ever really met, that was really in tune with God. Appearantly, yall must not have any values or a mind. Michael does God’s work by leaving his family and friends, to share his musical talent with the world. He goes to other countries and tries to help, by singing and worshiping with them. I think that yall are just a little jealous by the fact, that God has not given yall the gift to do the same thing. If you were in tune with God, then maybe you could open your eyes and quit trying to pick on Michael.
NOTE: The following is written as a sort of response to the writer of the above comment, thus the use of the second person throughout.
“Michael has got to be the first person that I’ve ever really met, that was really in tune with God.”
Pardon me for being obtuse, but what the hell does it mean to be ‘in tune with God.’ I mean, I know the Smitty can carry a tune, and I’ll admit, he’s got an above average voice…but ‘in tune with God’–what exactly is God’s tune?
On a related tangent, if Michael is the first person you’ve met that was really in tune with God, I would ask you this: Where’ve you been hanging out? Certainly, there are Godly folk running around everywhere, right? Churches, bars, coffeeshops, Godly people can be found everywhere–one simply must take the time to get to know those people. If Michael is truly the first ‘in tune with God’ person you’ve ever met–surely you’re not looking that hard.
Perhaps, what you really meant was this: “Michael is the first person to idolize the pseudo-spiritual emotion worship in the same way as me–and for that I attribute Godliness to him above all others.” Perhaps, I think, this might have been a better way to say what you feel than, “Michael is in tune with God.” Or, perhaps this would’ve worked too: “Michael is the first person to really musically capture my paper-thin spirituality and nuture my judgemental soul.”
Another fundamental difference in the way that you and I see the world is evidenced in your statement, “Michael does God’s work by leaving his family and friends, to share his musical talent with the world.” May I humbly suggest that God’s work for Michael W. Smith IS his family and friends. I would certainly hope that if I were a child of Smitty, that I would feel that I was a higher priority than his career. If this is not the case, I feel justified in saying quite plainly, he’s missed the biggest calling in his life: that of husband and father.
I’ll be honest. It feels like the comment on James’ site was likely left by a tweenager (between the ages of 12 and 13). Engaging a tween in a battle of wits is a bit unfair (although, some kids could likely put my wit to shame.) I do hope this is the case, however, for every thirteen year old who feels this way about Smitty, there’s a thirty-year-old not far behind.
Truth be told, I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about Michael W. Smith. I don’t personally get ‘into’ his music, I don’t dig his politics…but frankly, I don’t wish ill on him. I just think that a few of his fans are a bit on the psychotic side.
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Posted in faith, culture at 9:52 am by
James wrote a post during election season last year about a ‘personal’ phone call he received from Michael W. Smith. The phone call inspired a post from him. It would seem that folks keep dropping by and posting opinions on Michael W. Smith on his website. Here’s one opinion in response to James’ post that I just couldn’t help but spend a bit of time writing about.
I’m sorry that yall feel the way yall do towards Michael. Michael has got to be the first person that I’ve ever really met, that was really in tune with God. Appearantly, yall must not have any values or a mind. Michael does God’s work by leaving his family and friends, to share his musical talent with the world. He goes to other countries and tries to help, by singing and worshiping with them. I think that yall are just a little jealous by the fact, that God has not given yall the gift to do the same thing. If you were in tune with God, then maybe you could open your eyes and quit trying to pick on Michael.
NOTE: The following is written as a sort of response to the writer of the above comment, thus the use of the second person throughout.
“Michael has got to be the first person that I’ve ever really met, that was really in tune with God.”
Pardon me for being obtuse, but what the hell does it mean to be ‘in tune with God.’ I mean, I know the Smitty can carry a tune, and I’ll admit, he’s got an above average voice…but ‘in tune with God’–what exactly is God’s tune?
On a related tangent, if Michael is the first person you’ve met that was really in tune with God, I would ask you this: Where’ve you been hanging out? Certainly, there are Godly folk running around everywhere, right? Churches, bars, coffeeshops, Godly people can be found everywhere–one simply must take the time to get to know those people. If Michael is truly the first ‘in tune with God’ person you’ve ever met–surely you’re not looking that hard.
Perhaps, what you really meant was this: “Michael is the first person to idolize the pseudo-spiritual emotion worship in the same way as me–and for that I attribute Godliness to him above all others.” Perhaps, I think, this might have been a better way to say what you feel than, “Michael is in tune with God.” Or, perhaps this would’ve worked too: “Michael is the first person to really musically capture my paper-thin spirituality and nuture my judgemental soul.”
Another fundamental difference in the way that you and I see the world is evidenced in your statement, “Michael does God’s work by leaving his family and friends, to share his musical talent with the world.” May I humbly suggest that God’s work for Michael W. Smith IS his family and friends. I would certainly hope that if I were a child of Smitty, that I would feel that I was a higher priority than his career. If this is not the case, I feel justified in saying quite plainly, he’s missed the biggest calling in his life: that of husband and father.
I’ll be honest. It feels like the comment on James’ site was likely left by a tweenager (between the ages of 12 and 13). Engaging a tween in a battle of wits is a bit unfair (although, some kids could likely put my wit to shame.) I do hope this is the case, however, for every thirteen year old who feels this way about Smitty, there’s a thirty-year-old not far behind.
Truth be told, I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about Michael W. Smith. I don’t personally get ‘into’ his music, I don’t dig his politics…but frankly, I don’t wish ill on him. I just think that a few of his fans are a bit on the psychotic side.
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E said,
May 27, 2005 at 2:01 pm
Yo Brandon - while I find many, many issues with Janet’s post, I’m not too fond of your reponse either?
Why would you even venture into the “God’s calling for Michael W. Smith” territory? Not a good idea. The only one that could talk about God’s will for his life would be, well, God. And I haven’t seen him post here in a while.
Mr. Smith is a good man. He supports many organizations and issues that you do, incluidng The ONE Campaign. Is he successful? Yes. Is he rich? Certainly. Are these things a sin. Not necessarily. Do you have to agree with everything he says or stands for? Definitely not.
While your last sentence says “I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about Michael W. Smith” it seems that much of this post was directed right at him.
Brandon said,
May 27, 2005 at 2:16 pm
E,
If you think that post was directed at Michael W. Smith, perhaps you should read it more closely.
I never argued he didn’t do any good things. However, his music is–on the whole–sentimental drivel. He may well be a nice man–I don’t know him.
Secondly, while I don’t know much about Michael W. Smith’s ‘call’ in life, I do know enough about scripture to be able to confidently state my opinion on it. My reading of scripture states that if Michael W. Smith is leaving his family to pursue some ‘higher calling’ he’s deluded. (Note: I’m not saying that he did this…the commenter–whose name was not Janet–made that claim.)
Anybody who thinks God is calling them to spend more time at work to the neglect of their families needs to find a different God.
E said,
May 27, 2005 at 2:38 pm
“Anybody who thinks God is calling them to spend more time at work to the neglect of their families needs to find a different God.”
Going way off on a tangent here, but was is neglect? Is the single mother working two jobs to pay the bills neglecting her family? Should she quit and stay home and believe that her bills will be paid?
I would love to spend more time with my family. When I have to travel for work I hate being away from my family. Am I neglecting them? I don’t think so. Am I fulfillng God’s calling for my life? Not sure. But I believe that I’m trying.
I’ll save the whole missionary/pastor/teacher discussion for another day. And you’re right - the tweener was Jessica, not Janet. (I belive that was the first time I’ve seen “y’all” used by someone in writing!)
JF said,
May 27, 2005 at 6:25 pm
I’m pretty sure MWS is not single nor does he need to work to support his family. Is the single mother comment even relevant. I understand where you are coming from Brandon, I believe you were talking to the ‘commenter’ not MWS. Is that correct?
Brandon said,
May 27, 2005 at 7:52 pm
That’s correct, Jeff.
James said,
May 28, 2005 at 5:00 pm
Thanks for the link. You may be interested to know that one of the most frequently recurring search phrases that land people at my blog is “Michael W Smith Gay”. Make of that what you will
Brandon said,
May 28, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Hmmm…
Interesting.
Josh. said,
May 30, 2005 at 11:02 am
This was right on the money: “Michael is the first person to idolize the pseudo-spiritual emotion worship in the same way as me–and for that I attribute Godliness to him above all others.”
Ahhh, so many of my young listening hours were wasted on this man’s records because I didn’t know any better. “Go West Young Man,” “A Friend’s a Friend Forever,” and “Rockatown.” Oh the memories. Such schmaltzy classics!
Kirala said,
May 30, 2005 at 6:38 pm
Michael is the first person to idolize the pseudo-spiritual emotion worship in the same way as me–and for that I attribute Godliness to him above all others.
Or, possibly, MWS songs are fun to listen to at all times, and at some of the worst moments of my life have helped me battle and see past depression like nothing else.
I find CCM to largely be cheesy and trite, but a lot can still be enjoyable, and sometimes God can use even this cheese to help a soul. CCM addiction/worship is a sad phenomenon, but responding with CCM damnation hardly seems appropriate.
And I know you didn’t mean it as total damnation, Brandon, but it really came across that way to this MWS fan.
Pensive Wanderer said,
June 1, 2005 at 1:43 am
Uh, wow! I was reading your post and cheering for you, so thrilled to find someone intelligently expressing an opinion about someone that mainstream Christianity idolizes…and then, somewhat surprised to see how others are commenting.
I shouldn’t be. As earlier stated, mainstream American Christians love when Christians become celebrities. We feel like we need to defend them as if they are personal friends.
You weren’t attacking MWS anyway, just trying to make sense out of the original comment on your friend’s blog.
Still, I quite enjoyed reading your candor.
MattyC said,
June 2, 2005 at 11:48 am
Hi again Brandon.
Interesting Posts. I have to comment on a comment made by Kirala. She says that the original writer might just be enjoying the music of Mr. MWS, and have helped her (Kirala) deal with past depression. I’m not going to disagree with this, but that wasn’t what your quote was about. You were talking more about the idea that the orginal commentor was saying that MWS was the most “in tune” with God than anyone that they know. God can use music, movies, pictures, any sort of things for you to enjoy or battle depression, but getting back to the orginal issue, I don’t think that the fact that you personally enjoy MWS music would make him anymore in tune with God. Does this mean that artist you don’t enjoy are any less in tune with God? I know, everyone is lost by this point, but I think that this post makes sense.
But Rockatown… great song… don’t mess with it! Down at Rock-a-town-town-town-town…. pray for me! (doesn’t he whistle in that song… classic!) (I only make fun because I really did used to love that song… big time!)
Resident Atheist said,
June 6, 2005 at 7:22 pm
At various times in my life I’ve been snapped out of deep depressive states by (e.g.) porn or obsessive video-gaming–the common link was the electrochemical stimulation that balanced my brain chemistry enough for me to get the help I needed. Although I’m glad those things helped me through, I don’t feel particularly obliged to defend them to their detractors.
I don’t want to downplay the difficulty in dealing with clinical depression, and if I hadn’t been there myself I wouldn’t even say this, but really, just about anything can be a source of strength for those who need it–even things which, all else being equal, nobody would (or should) look at twice. I think there needs to be a balance between loyalty to something that helped us in the past and evaluation of legitimate content. It’s hard to strike, but a worthwhile effort I think.
Sarah C said,
June 27, 2005 at 9:22 pm
I feel a little embarrssed that i even wasted my time looking at your website. I don’t understand and don’t even care to why you think that someone gave you the right to judge others and what they believe. You are so willing to judge but have you looked in the mirror lately? God said “Judge not lest ye be judged” You are to busy spending time trying to find what others are doing wrong have you ever stopped and thought about the example you are setting for others. i know that the same could be said about me,I never claim to be perfect and I probably shouldn’t even be writing this but it just really makes me mad that people like you are so busy calling yourselfs “christians” while trying to tear others down. Aren’t we suppossed to encouge one another? not call each other “psychotic”??
Well I guess this is just a waste of time… in one ear… out the other…
just think that it is really sad when someone thinks they have the right to label someone a “Bad Christian”