As I watch the news reports about the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, I can't help wonder about the effect of celebrities on our culture. Of course, by definition, a celebrity is some who has an impact on the culture, for better or worse, but I am confused about the types of people who hold such sway over our emotions.

Let me pause to say that the death of anyone is a loss, and I pray for the families. And yet, I marvel at the Facebook comments of my former students. It's as though they themselves had lost a family member. In a way, it strikes me as self-centered, that the death of a celebrity is all about them and the affect on their lives, rather than on the lives of the people who actually knew them. Should we really allow ourselves to become so emotionally wrapped up in people whom we don't know, especially people whose lifestyles are not always appropriate as a role model?

I don't know. Maybe it's just my cynicism coming out. I just don't go into idol worship, in the sense of worshipping celebrities (OK, I don't go into idol worship of the other kind either, I'm just saying).  I suppose these people did have an influence on society. For good or ill.

I guess, at the bottom of it all, I grieve for celebrities at their death, not for a loss to the culture. It is more a loss of opportunity, an opportunity to glorify God in their lives. I kind of feel bad about myself, almost as if I'm being judgmental. Perhaps I am.

Anyway, I could ramble on endlessly, because I still can't come up with any answers about what I'm thinking right now. I feel a loss, but it's the loss of more evidence that we have a shallow culture. When will we learn to value true legacy?