In their article Thou shalt worship no other gods—unless they are celebrities: the relationship between celebrity worship and religious orientation Maltby et. al. examine how religiosity can be compared and related to celebrity worship. The authors outline previous research on the topic which suggests that with increased religiosity, celebrity “worship” should decrease. However, they go on to argue their findings that religious and non-religious Americans scored equally on a test administered to quantify the level to which they follow the lives of and revere their favourite celebrities (Maltby 2002, p.1170). This was interesting to me because I think it provides a context in which to understand the funeral of Michael Jackson alongside a uniquely American religious landscape.
The televised event that was Michael Jackson’s memorial service was to me reminiscent of something between a televangelical broadcast, albeit more high profile, and a high production value concert. The stage area of the Staples arena was decorated with stained glass windows and an altar to make it look like a church. 17,500 of 1.2 million applicants who entered an online draw were given tickets to the event, as well as a selection of high profile performers and public figures. Speakers discussed and praised the late singer and musicians Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Jermaine Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and Usher performed songs. Jackson’s gold plated and blue velvet lined casket was brought into the arena as a gospel choir sang. The service was broadcast live to tens of millions of viewers worldwide who watched from their homes on television and online, as well as in cinemas, and in other public places. Additionally, fans surrounded the Staples Arena where the memorial service was held, bringing with them offerings of flowers, cards, etc. for Jackson.
The sheer number of people who all watched Jackson’s memorial at the same time made me think about a concept I have encountered in sociology and religious studies classes before. Collective effervescence, as described by social theorist Emile Durkheim, is the “energy” perceived by participants, between participants who are active in the same religious experience. That is to say, it is a feeling of togetherness felt between individuals during a group religious experience. It seems that perhaps we might consider the televised Michael Jackson memorial service as an experience of mass collective effervescence in a society that practices “celebrity worship” in many ways that might be considered characteristic of a religion.
Reverend Al Sharpton gives the eulogy to Michael Jackson at the musician's televised memorial service.
Sources
Maltby et. al. 2002 Thou shalt worship no other gods—unless they are celebrities: the relationship between celebrity worship and religious orientation. Personality and Individual Differences 32:1157-1172.
