Oh, reality television -- how addicting! The United Methodist superintendent obtained a new DVR in the winter. Since she had never seen an episode of "American Idol," she decided to record one program.
The Rev. Katherine Conolly, the Salem-based Western District superintendent for the church, described what happened next.
"Even though it was my intention to only record one episode, if you hold the button down just a second too long, you set the DVR to record every episode."
She wrote of her experience in the Western Connection newsletter that was quoted by Keizer Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Conolly told of viewing that first show in January.
"It was depressing and sad to watch contestants audition who clearly were allowed to try-out just so 'Idol' would be more entertaining, in a train wreck kind of way. I swore that would be my first and last time to watch 'American Idol.'"
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint, her DVR kept on merrily recording the shows. Then in February, Conolly sat and watched three more of them.
"And then I realized it had happened. I was horrified -- but, it was too late -- I was hooked. I could not miss an episode."
Conolly told of hearing a National Public Radio story about the esteemed Pew Research Center survey of Generation Y, young people 18 to 25 years old.
Their five top life goals were to get rich (81 percent), be famous (51 percent) help people in need (30 percent), be leaders in the community (22 percent) and become more spiritual (10 percent).
"The message is ubiquitous -- success at least equals wealth, and if you are lucky, fame as well. This is the American Dream for this generation who want to be the next 'American Idol,'" Conolly wrote.
She contrasted the message to one expressed during Easter's Holy Week: "Success is remaining humble in the face of adulation. Success is sacrificial giving. Success is loving unconditionally. Success is being faithful to God. Success is forgiving one's enemies and friends."
The goals of the members of Generation Y polled are "a complete reversal of the ones that Jesus set before us and modeled for us."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment