Celebrity Worshipping: Good or Evil?

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The characteristics of being invisible like gods or untouchable like natural forces were once perceived to be the essential elements for the formation of any religions.

However such view had changed over time, like the arguably most successful US comedian George Carlin once challenged: “I pray to Joe Pesci, and the chance of getting what I want is still 50/50, like praying to the invisible guy in the sky”. Until recent years, the phenomenon of worshiping celebrity stars dramatically overthrown the traditional idea – Millions of people nowadays worship celebrity stars from different fields of the market, chasing and updating any sightless details given night and day.

In the following we will discuss why exactly we would worship celebrities and the effects that come along and whether we should be worrying about the formation of such phenomenon.

D. Weinstein, a professor of sociology from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois; and M. Weinstein, a professor of political science from Purdue University in West Lafayette, viewed celebrity worship as a meaningless religion, they suggested that celebrity worshipers are actually weak and discontented, to satisfy their unachievable goals and overcome insecurities through worshipping celebrities since the weakening of traditional faith (300). The “para-social relationships” is being developed through worshipers’ devotion to celebrities. General worshippers would have extra awareness towards the celebrities. For those who has been seriously affected, they may have the delusion of being involved in the celebrities’ life (300).

D. Weinstein and M. Weinstein referred to the works of other researchers, celebrity worshippers are often found to be reclusive and intuitive. it is difficult for t...

... middle of paper ...

... escape from the stressful environment for a short period for relaxation. With proper parenting and educating, celebrity stars could be served as sources of motivation for youths to find their true-selves.

Works Cited

He, Xianzhong. "Survey Report On Idol Worship Among Children And Young People." Chinese Education & Society 39.1 (2006): 84-103. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.

He, Yuzhang, and Xiaotian Feng. "Idol Worship Among The Youth." Chinese Education & Society 35.6 (2002): 81. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.

Ketsoglou, Eve-Michelle. “When Good Celebrities Go Bad: Examining Celebrity Worship.” Mount Saint Mary College Journal of Psychology Research Proposals 3 (2013):17-21.Web.16 Apr. 2014.

Weinstein, Deena, and Michael Weinstein. "Celebrity Worship as Weak Religion." Word and World 23.3 (2003): 294-302. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. Checklist

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