Tag Archives: sin

Feeding the beast: my take on the Miley Cyrus photo

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Let’s talk about Miley.

Miley is a pretty and talented girl. A pretty, talented under age girl who is now some guy’s fantasy.

Ever hear the expression “sex sells?” Of course you have, because it’s true. Every time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio or flip open a magazine, you are exposed to a plethora of sexual images used to sell us a product. Now Miley is one image of millions, perhaps billions.

And this mommy-blogger always thought kiddie porn was illegal. With that in mind, I will not be linking to the now infamous picture.

The way I see it, Annie Liebovitz knew what she was doing when she took that picture of Miley half naked. In the picture, Miley looks a bit bedraggled, doesn’t she? Poor girl seems a bit lost, confused, maybe a little scared?

Don’t be too surprised. I’m sure that’s the way Liebovitz coached her. You know Liebovitz didn’t snap that picture with young Hannah Montana wannabees in mind or the women that usually buy Vanity Fair.

The publisher, editors and advertisers of Vanity Fair could care less who buys the magazine; as Mr. Crabs of Spongebob Squarepants would say, “Me loves me money.”

Sex sells. Annie Liebovitz knows it, the magazine people know it, Disney knows it and Miley is going to figure it out soon if she hasn’t already. At 15, Miley is still too young to be expected to stand up to the demands of a famous photographer, so if Miley felt any reservations over the pose, I can’t expect her to stick up for herself.

From what I’ve read, her parents left the shoot early, and were not there for the controversial pose. I can only imagine the conversation between the girl’s parents and those unfortunate to have approved of the photos after they left. Maybe the grandmother and teacher were too trusting?

I want to blame Liebovitz for taking advantage of the girl, but I can’t really fault her either. I guess you could argue her job is to take lovely portraits, but I would have to disagree. Ultimately her job is to sell magazines for Vanity Fair. When she told Miley to pose half covered in a bed sheet, she was just doing her job.

So who to blame? I accuse our society’s burning consumption that craves all-things sexual. Even the sexual image of a teen girl wrapped in a bed sheet.

The Billy Martin in me

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Update: Mission accomplished. That wasn’t so hard.

There is this woman at church. She’s tall. Taller than I am- and that’s something, cause I’m no slouch at 5’9″. She has blond hair. And I’ve got to apologize to her.

It’s a good story I could spin with lots of soap opera like drama. But it doesn’t matter. She provoked me. And I reacted like that old Yankee manager Billy Martin when he disagreed with an umpire. When Martin got a call he didn’t like, he would unleash, get right in the umps face with his anger, kicking dirt in protest. If we had dirt at church, instead of plush carpeting, I would’ve kicked it. If I had been wearing a cap that Christmas Eve two years ago, I would’ve thrown it too. Just like Martin used to do.

So I’ve got to extend this olive branch of peace. Every time I see her in the sanctuary, or standing around during the coffee hour, I feel that nudge. Go over there. Say I’m sorry. Part of me wishes she would apologize to me. I suspect she’s not bothered about it at all.

Then there’s communion. I hold gently the tiny, plastic cup of red juice. Careful with the broken bit of cracker. I try to concentrate on Jesus and what he did and who he is and how his sacrifice is forever life changing. But all I can think of is her, sitting a few rows behind me. I’m not holy at all.

See what happens when you let your anger rule over better sense and judgment ? I hate being wrong, but this is a painful humbling. I told my CBS core leader about it, joking that I should just write her a letter. She thinks it’s a great idea. But can I do it? How can I not do it? Why do I have to be so stubbborn?

Cross

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Today is Good Friday. The day when Christians around the world reflect on what our savior did for us on a Roman cross, giving us freedom from sin, death and the gift of eternal life. This is a beautiful description of Jesus taken from Isaiah 53: 4-6:

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to is own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It’s hard to imagine the creator of the universe would be willing die for the created. That’s love. Radical love. Jesus willingly took my sin upon himself.

For his sacrifice and suffering, I will always be grateful.