The existence of false idols

Is there such a thing as worshipping false idols?

First of all, we need to establish a working definition for the word idol. According to dictionary.com idol is defined as “an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.” Therefore, idol is correlated with worshipping a god or goddess. Considering the way the public equally worships celebrities, we could wonder whether celebrities are similar to gods or goddesses, and if so, who gets to draw that conclusion? America is currently a nation of idol worshippers ranging from music idols like Beyonce and Taylor Swift to sports idols like Derek Jeter and LeBron James. Television shows such as American Idol seek out talented “ordinary” singers that have the potential to become celebrity idols. It is evident that Americans crave idols either because they worship their body image, academic success, or athletic achievement. In other words, people “secretly yearn to be intimate with [celebrities], if not desire to actually become one of them” (Laderman, 72). Similar to worshippers of God, followers of celebrities are looking for guidance and inspiration so they can cope with their mundane daily lives. Laderman neatly sums up the outcomes of this process in that “entertainment is transformed into revelation, escapism into liberation, and mortals into gods” (72). Thus, ordinary individuals seek a spot on American Idol since the show can transform them into celebrities practically overnight. 

As of now, the reasons why people worship God and why people follow celebrities are almost indistinguishable, which brings us back to our main question: Can we compare celebrities to gods or goddesses? What differentiates the two of them? Historian Daniel Boorstin argues that what sets celebrities and gods apart is that “celebrities are media-created, ultimately empty vessels that provide only artificial, though captivating image void of real purpose or value, [whereas Gods rise above the ordinary crowd through substantive individual accomplishments and achievements that embody the highest ideals of society” (Laderman, 73). But does this mean that celebrities are just empty vessels? I personally agree with Boorstin that there is a clear distinction between God and celebrities, however, I do not agree that they are “empty vessels.” To many Americans, especially teenagers, celebrities are role models “who can give life purpose and embody a different set of ideals that many in society disagree with” (Laderman, 74). For instance the American singer Meghan Trainor released the hit song, “All About That Bass,” which challenges the current female body image norms. This song provides larger than average-sized Americans with a safe space where it is okay not to be skinny. Thus, can celebrities still be considered as false idols? To Trainor’s followers, Trainor is definitely not a false idol, but a role model. Although celebrities may not be elevated to the rank of God, they do serve as role models who are also real people, which makes them more accessible than God. 

American singer Meghan Trainor