Celebrity Sympathy, Part 2

Word comes today that Paris Hilton, now back in jail, has had a change of heart.

She's issued a statement, and confirmed in a phone conversation with Barbara Walters, that she will no longer appeal her sentence. She speaks of learning through all this and of growing, of God giving her a new chance. And she's even encouraged the media to redirect its attention from her to more important issues, like the war in Iraq.

I hope it's true. I'm not kidding.

I remain convinced that she has incredible potential to be a positive role model for the youth of her generation. If she can shift her focus from herself to others, and use her charisma and influence and wealth to be a spokesperson and catalyst for meaningful, beneficial changes in society, she just might inspire millions of kids to join her. If she'll use this time of isolation to deepen her soul, and if she'll allow the truth to sink in that life is far more than good looks and partying and being endlessly photographed, she just might have a shot at making a difference with her time on earth.

Seductive poses and camera glare and trying to be a star and pop culture idol and center of attention will all eventually run out of steam as significant purposes for life. Better to learn that lesson now, at age 26. And that thing about actions having consequences? It's good to get that truth nailed down early, too. It's also true that if Paris will let this stint behind bars start the process of molding her into being a giver and not just a taker, the rest of her days will be profoundly different.

I still find myself feeling sorry for her.

Something tells me that with all her fame and fortune and privilege, she's nevertheless had a hard life. I'm wondering, call it idle speculation if you choose, if her mother, Kathy, doesn't bear a lot of responsibility for the way this young woman turned out.

I gather that this mom pushed and prodded her daughter to become a celebrity icon. Getting her in the right school, pampering her, making connections for her, giving her everything she wanted. Granted, all parents want their kids to succeed and shine, but did Kathy go too far in creating this media sensation?

To the extent that this mother pressured Paris to emphasize glamour and external, physical attractiveness rather than inner beauty and character, she misled her. To the extent that she shaped her to desire, above all else, being noticed and adored, she actually harmed her. In other words, Kathy selected all the wrong goals for her daughter. And to somehow lead Paris to think that she would get out of her jam with the law because of her riches and her prominence is despicable.

Why, by the way, did Kathy do all this anyway? Was it really for her daughter, or was mom trying to live her life through her child? How tragic it is to see parents attempting to recreate or redo or correct or enjoy all over again theirown lives through their kids instead of granting their children freedom to choose their personally preferred course and destiny. I saw a photo of Paris as a young girl the other day on TV. I wondered as I looked into her eyes, much more innocent then, just what it was she may have wanted to do with her life as a naive child. What were her hopes and dreams and wishes and ambitions? Were they all shoved aside in the fast moving express train of her mom's priorities for her? Was a little girl's fragile, tender, yearning spirit crushed by someone else using her for their own ends? Maybe, maybe not, but the possibility exists. If true, this would explain why there seems to be this vacuum in the inner self of this outwardly beautiful woman now holed up in a LA jail.

Okay. Forgive me for theorizing and psychologizing. This is, I know, ground that has been covered many times by many others far smarter in these matters than I.

Do allow me, though, to show you 2 instances in the New Testament where mothers got involved big time in the lives of their daughters. One mom had a very shady motivation, the other a very positive one.

In Mark 6:21-28, we get that story of how Herodias pushed her daughter to dance, perhaps seductively, for Herod and his guests at a birthday party. When the king, drunk with pleasure, offered the young girl whatever she wanted as a thank-you gift, she ran to her cold, calculating mother, who obviously dominated her, to find out what she should ask for. Out of her own bitterness and evil designs, mommy ordered that her talented daughter request that John the Baptist be beheaded. The girl made her desire known and the execution happened. Could it be that for the rest of her life Salome wallowed in guilt over the sensual use of her body and the heinous act that she participated in that day? Herodias surely violated her daughter's body that day, and, perhaps worse, trampled on her spirit and her conscience.

An episode with a far better ending is recounted for us in Mark 7:24-30. A Greek woman in Tyre has a demon-possessed daughter and begs Jesus, when he passes through her town, to exorcise the evil spirit. Jesus dialogues with this hurting parent. He appears to be indifferent to her plight, perhaps testing her. Her persistence and humility and faith eventually lead to his granting of her petition, and the young girl is freed and healed of the oppression. In this case, the mother wanted what was best for her daughter...and she went to the right source. The child had her life changed that day, for good.

So, yes, I do feel sorry for Paris Hilton...and for her mother as well. How awesome it would be if both of them came to know, in a personal way, the Jesus who can absolutely transform us.

Can't we turn off all the TV coverage about this dazzling event long enough to pray that someone will share the Gospel with them?