How to know if its celebrity worship?

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Labaddy

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Hey guys, im back uwu. So i just realized that i may be at risk for celebrity worship. How do you know if it is though? Like i didnt realize it back then, but just now I am. Like whenever thoughts about worshipping anyone other than God comes to mind, i always tell myself that God is the original creator, and if anyone says otherwise, their wrong. So i thought i had celebrity worship off and away, because I denied every thought about that everytime it came in. But now, i read that of you get upset if that celebrity gets threatened or smth it becomes worship? I was wondering if thats correct, because i kinda pf get upset and argue a bit, but it doesnt really affect my life that much. Also I’m afraid I call my friend too much, and sometimes I get bored when we are called to pray. But I genuinly feel bad! What should I do? Im going to confession in two weeks so hopefully I can also clear things up with my priest. And how should I try to stop getting engrossed in my conversations with my friend?

P.s i get pretty anxious when someone mentions idol worship. Like intrusive thoughts come into my mind, and I push them away and think about how God is the original creator, and we wouldnt be where we are without God. Is that the correct way to handle it?

P.s.s also, heres just how i act as a fan so you guys can judge it.
  • I’m updated on all their music, and sometimes watch funny youtube videos about them. (Their releasing a new album soon and I preordered!!”)
  • Their my celebrity crush haha
  • Whenever someone calls them “godlike” i get offended, and try to hold back from saying that their nothing like God and that their just human beings like you and me O.o
  • i get many intrusive thoughts about idolatry, and i just fight them and think to myself about how they are just human beings like you and me, and they are nothing like God. God is the one who gave them the gift of life, and without God they wouldnt be where they are ect
  • I pray for their conversion to Catholicism at night. (Some members are atheist whereas some are Christian)
  • I ask and pray to God that they + many other people are in good health
  • I have many posters and merch, but I always tell myself to not go overboard, because God comes first, and God is the one who created them and everyone in the universe
  • When I feel that Im going to overboard I pray to God
  • Also, I fantasize sometimes, like just going on dates, no innapropriate stuff, and Gods still first in my fantasies.
I know im most likely not in sin, because I just realized it and I did not know before but now I need advice on how to stop, just in case I may be in sin. I know its not wrong to be
 
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Keep talking to your priest in Confession about your worries and focus on loving God and the people around you.

[Deuteronomy 6:5]:
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Peace.
 
I don’t know who these celebrities are that you think you worship and/or have a crush on. But it’s a normal part of growing up and of being a fan.

Concerts, band merchandise (esp the autographed items), that coveted front row seat and/or backstage pass for meet and greets. It can make one feel special and loved in that moment. It’s all part of the fan experience.

Collecting magazine articles, being up on the latest releases, and now, with the advent of the internet, being able to join your fav’s fan page on social networks for that feel closer experience of “talking” with that person.

What you don’t want tho is for all of these happy moments in time to take the place of real relationships with people you meet each day.

Celebrity crushes are fine and good. They’re “safe.” But reality with those you see each day in school, at work, in Church is so much better than the fantasy of something that’s never going to happen.

Pray for your favs, yes. Everyone can use prayer. But remember, they’re human beings who just happen to be in a more visible position where they’re able to use their God given talents. I’m sure you have talents that can be used for His Glory as well. Focus on those and serve Him where He has placed you while at the same time knowing it’s okay to have fav performers and keeping things in their proper perspective.
 
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Thank you for the answer @lilypadrees i feel so much better now. I just felt bothered because the fanbase tends to be quite obssessive and i try to seperate myself from the overly obssessed fans, i was afraid that i may have gone to far. (bts fans amirite). And I didnt think I worshipped them, like i just keep telling myself that their just normal beings, and im just afraid i may doing stuff wrong but thank you so much
 
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You’re welcome, Labaddy. Glad I could help. Hey, my favs are still rockin’ in their mid to late 70s. And they still make my heart pound!
 
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When people say “celebrity worship” they mean people who are too invested in celebrity news. They don’t mean literally worship in the religious sense.
 
Yeah, it’s the same as using the word “idolatry” to describe somebody who’s too obsessed with video games, designer clothes, foodie restaurants, working out at the gym or anything else.

People often get too obsessed with these things because they don’t have enough God in their life, and the obsessive hobby and its community take the place of God in their life. I’ve had friends who consider going to concerts of their favorite band “going to church” for them. There’s nothing wrong with having a favorite band, and nothing wrong with enjoying the great feelings of seeing a great show with 20 of your dearest friends, but it’s not on the level with God or actual worship of him. These people wrongly equate church with being a group social event that gets you all happy and high; they typically aren’t Catholics and don’t have exposure to Catholicism but instead have been around a lot of Protestant traditions where people are going to services to have social time and get good “feels”, which is not what Catholicism focuses on.
 
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@Tis_Bearself @LawyersGunsAndMoney what you then think “real worship is then” per se. Also thank you for the answers, im glad to know that when people say that being updated on celebrity news is “worship” that they’re wrong.
 
“Worship” in the literal sense meaning the adoration due only to God.

If someone uses it casually in reference to a celebrity or something, they are almost certainly being tongue in cheek. No one literally thinks that their favorite singer is a deity.
 
If it’s affecting your relationship with God, it’s usually considered an idol.
 
To me, “celebrity worship” is when you are paying attention to, following, seeking information, and “knowing” more about celebrities that you don’t personally know…while at the same time you are not paying attention to, not following, not seeking information, and not knowing more about those who:
  • Are in nursing homes
  • Are in the hospital
  • Are in prison
  • Are homeless
  • Are hungry
  • Are thirsty
  • Are impovershed
  • Are persecuted
  • Are abused
  • etc…
Every single human being is a fascinating wonder of creation. As JPII said:
“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus.”
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We should care about all people, not just those who have attained fame, money, glamour, power, etc…

We must not step over Lazarus in our pursuit of the things of this world (Luke 16). If we are not spending an equal (or superior) amount of time getting to know and seeking information on those who are suffering around us, then our attitudes towards celebrities would definitely be a behavior that I would call “celebrity worship”.
 
Lea101 said:
If it’s affecting your relationship with God, it’s usually considered an idol.
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Right. Part of the 1st Commandment is putting God first in our life. That is, we order our lives in the right way and are oriented towards God first. He holds the #1 place in our hearts.

So things can become “idols” in our life when we prioritize them above God. If we spend every waking moment thinking of our favorite band, and don’t even set aside 5 minutes for prayer, then we should reevaluate our priorities. Treating things as “idols” doesn’t literally mean that we light candles, burn incense, and bow down prostrate before their images.

That said, from what you (the OP, not Lea101) describe, it sounds like you are already sensitive towards not allowing your fangirl tendencies to push God from the spotlight. So keep being attentive to that. You can always bring it up in Confession and I’m sure the priest will be able to share some sage advice with you about how to keep God front and center in your heart.

Ultimately, putting God first doesn’t preclude also being fans of bands or certain hobbies. It’s all about your priorities.
 
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I think celebrity “worship” or crushes, or dwelling is potentially venial sin. Before I get all crazy in your mind, I admit I have celebrity Crushes. Brittany spears was one back in the day. It isn’t always sexual either, sports fandom is especially passionate. Having a “crush” on a celebrity that you honestly don’t know is at least a waste of time, at most it is downright sinful lust. This extends to characters as well. I know people who don’t believe things about Michael Jackson or Bill Cosby because they liked the publicized character or art form produced. In the case of a celebrity Crush that is married, or if you are married then Jesus actually spoke in direct reference to that when he discussed adultery in the heart.

This happens in the Church. Fr John Corapi, for example. Catholics are not immune from the cult of celebrity even in current speakers brought into conferences.

Bottom line is you can appreciate someone’s work, you can like the persona they exude to the masses but you cannot claim to know or care about them on a personal level. You don’t know their virtues or vices.
 
Hoosier-Daddy said:
you can appreciate someone’s work, you can like the persona they exude to the masses but you cannot claim to know or care about them on a personal level. You don’t know their virtues or vices.
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You can if you know them personally tho. One of our former posters is, I believe, a neighbor of Johnny Mathis and goes on the road with him when he tours.

And if you live in a city where celebrities are the norm, you can get to know them very well.
 
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There is a difference between being a friend of someone who is famous and celebrity worship. Very very few people “know” celebrities. On a personal level. And if they do they don’t call them celebrities, they call them friends.
 
True unless they are making a distinction between their celebrity friends and their non-celebrity friends.
 
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