Finding God by NOT Feeding Celebrity Gossip

Are you a victim or perpetrator of celebrity gossip?

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Recently I was surprised to discover many people had found our site by typing ‘Miley Cyrus’ into search engines. They landed here because Linda included Miley’s story about having been bullied in the article Finding God in Surviving Bullying.

But I also noticed that key phrases bringing visitors to Finding God Daily included ‘Miley Cyrus 2012″. I checked the web to find out why.

Well, plenty of people are talking about two things: what she wore at the Billboard Music Awards 2012; and a controversial comment she made on Twitter.

Of course I think Miley could be equally beautiful, if not more, plus honor God in modest clothes. But to be honest, what makes me most upset is reading comments people make online about celebrities who make choices others don’t agree with. I found a truly mean one (and vulgar) post on a blog supposedly written by a Christian grandmother. I find that far more offensive than what Miley wears. Like THAT is going to draw anyone back to faith if they are straying? And I think sometimes that’s a big ‘if’. Sometimes internet lore is just plain wrong, based purely on assumptions and gossip.

Other times someone does indeed make a one-minute or one-hour blunder they may regret, but a celebrity must deal with a much bigger aftermath on the web and in newspapers. I’m thankful most of my mistakes aren’t in the news.

If any of you Christians out there have ever made a mistake, but still do love God, raise your hands. I suspect there are none left on keyboards out there.

The buzz about one of Miley’s twitter comments I also see as ridiculous and presumptive. Are we truly to judge someone’s entire character and beliefs from a single 140 character comment?

And whatever happened to the notion of grace?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV Bible)

What part do you play in the spread of celebrity gossip?

© Laurie Winslow Sargent. Laurie is the editor for Finding God Daily, a multi-book author/contributor and magazine article writer. She blogs for parents at ParentChildPlay.com and for writers at SellYourNonfiction.com and is on Twitter as @LaurieSargent.