Celebrity Sympathy

I'm really starting to feel sorry for Paris Hilton. I'm not being facetious, either.

I feel sorry for her because she obviously thinks that her only purpose in life is to purr and preen and pose for the paparazzi and adoring fans. She resembles a little child trying to act cute and coquettish to get someone's, anyone's, attention. I get the sense that there is a deep emptiness inside. A real vacuum. An aching loneliness. It's almost obvious. And what happens to that "purpose" she's chosen when her looks fade and she ages?

I feel sorry for her because she is unwittingly transmitting the wrong messages to her generation, and the one coming immediately behind hers. Messages like external beauty being more important than inner attractiveness. Or that actions don't have consequences. Or that good looks and a massive fortune can get you out of messes you've created. The Old Testament King David might could offer her some hindsight counsel on that one. And surely she is giving off vibes that a flamboyant party lifestyle is what generates real happiness.

I also feel sorry for this pampered heiress because it may very well be that her actions are one more contribution to the slow chipping away of the system of law and order in our society. The Apostle Paul suggests in 2 Thessalonians 2 that "the secret power of lawlessness is already at work" in our culture. Something or someone is holding back the full force of its eventual release, which will have a devastating impact. Could it be that we are now seeing the beginning stages, the tip of the iceberg, in the violence and the anti-Christian rhetoric and the swift-moving acceptance of previously unimaginable moral permissiveness in our society that will ultimately lead to a tidal wave of evil? Paris Hilton's initial attempts to duck responsibility for her driving under the influence, and later with a suspended license, and her manuevering to avoid her sentence, and the protests of her fans, and then the quick release from jail to house arrest all fly in the face of justice. Small blows to a fundamental, foundational, longstanding order of fairness and decency and rewards and penalties and social stability, but, blows nonetheless. Repeated chipping and chopping at the system by celebrities and politicians and the rich who think they are somehow above the law all lead to a gradual erosion of order which will lead to chaos which in turn makes conditions ripe for the rise of someone who will promise to restore that order. An Antichrist, maybe? That appears to be Paul's point.

But I mainly feel sorry for Paris because she gives no evidence that she knows Jesus. What a life she is missing! Actually the only real life. Booze and promiscuous sex and media spotlight can never offer the peace and joy and fulfilment that a relationship with Christ can, not to mention the hope of living forever.

Go back to jail, Paris. Serve your time.You'll feel so much better about yourself if you do. Set the right example for millions of kids watching your every move. While you're there, think long and hard. Read John 10:10 in the Bible and give your life to Jesus. Come out after your sentence and help lead the youth of America in becoming the next " greatest generation." A generation that will enjoy legitimate fun but will work to positively transform our society by grappling with the enormous problems that my baby boomer demographic hasn't been able to solve and is bequeathing to you guys.

And forgive us Christians who have talked about you an awful lot but have neglected to pray for you.