Steve Brown is an old white guy, author, broadcaster and seminary professor who's sick of religion. And this is his blog.

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Tears for Brittney

Steve Brown February 28th, 2008

I cried for Brittney Spears the other day.

I was glad that nobody was around to see it. I’m a guy, okay? Guys only cry at football games and funerals…and certainly not over a rich, spoiled, celebrity brat.

As a mother, Brittney Spears makes Joan Crawford look like Olivia Walton. She represents the worst of America’s celebrity fixation and is the answer to why one shouldn’t give a bottle of whiskey and the car keys to a teenager. She is incredibly shallow and narcissistic, without her make-up looks like the witch of Endor, and when she planted a passionate kiss on Madonna on national television, it was ugly-on-ugly.

Nevertheless, I thought about her and cried.

I asked Jesus about it, knowing that he is the Great Physician and could heal my emotional breakdown.

That’s when he told me it wasn’t me…it was him.

There was probably never a time when tears were more puzzling than when Jesus came to Jerusalem. Talk about a city filled with people who make Brittney Spears look like a saint. Self-righteous, arrogant, power-hungry killers. As Jesus entered that city, he knew that he was, as it were, going to leave it “in a box.” He understood the anger and hatred of the city directed at him and, and not only that, he had the power to do something about it.

But he didn’t. He wept.

Luke says, And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it.

Maybe those who hang out with Jesus, who see things through his eyes and feel what he felt, will cry more than condemn. Maybe the truth of lostness, pain and confusion should solicit tears. Maybe the tears are as much a sign of God’s Spirit as the doctrine.

Then, again, maybe not.

At any rate, I’m not going to make a habit out of it. And if you tell anybody I cried over Brittney Spears, I’ll say you lied.

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16 Responses to “Tears for Brittney”

glenn February 28th, 2008

Steve ~ I knew you were an old softy! What's with the crying thing? It has hit me in the last few years too. It something that just happens to old white guys? What if compassion replaced judgement as our go to reponse to those who are messed up?

Christov February 29th, 2008

I wasn't going to say this, but…

the other time guys are caught crying is when they're asked reasonable questions on camera by TV reporters after having voluntarily put themselves in a position to be asked those questions. O.K., I'm done kidding you about Joel Osteen.

Yeah, the Spears thing is sad, showing, in part, that an ignorant hussy is an ignorant hussy whether she's got money and a nice place to live or receives taxpayer dollars as a so-called entitlement and lives in a busted single-wide. It's sad for the kids, sad for their father, and it would be nice if the media left those of celebrity status alone to melt down in private. Wouldn't change the outcome at all, but would be the kind thing to do.

Paris Hilton's a sad little trollop, too.

The only good thing about the media attention people of celebrity status receive in exchange for their public and private foibles is that maybe it brings them to the attention of someone who will pray for them, as opposed to the Dr. Phil's of this world who will prey upon them. Trite but true.

Essentially, they're all just people with or without much in the way of character inhabiting a mix of circumstances they've made, chosen, and inherited.

I'm glad Jesus made you care.

Chemical Erik February 29th, 2008

Who are Brittaney Spears and Paris Hilton?
I'm just kidding. Wish I wasn't.
The only reason I've heard enough of these two to not forget about them is because of all the media reports regarding the screw-ups they've made. Those stupid reporters, they make me want to get all jugdemental with them. Then Jesus messed that up with the whole "love your neighbor as youself" thing.

George McFly February 29th, 2008

Take my advice, it's better to study tadpoles than watch Access Hollywood.

Dammit.

George McFly February 29th, 2008

Where's Paul Newman and Kenny Rogers when you need them?

Those guys would definitely set things straight.

I think they would have a few comments about sex in general.

George McFly February 29th, 2008

I think it was Eric Estrada from "Chips" that said:

"Keep your hands to yourself woman!"

I could be wrong, but don't really think I am.

George McFly February 29th, 2008

Coming soon to DVD:

George McFly's Teaching Lessons On How To Sneeze In Public

Chemical Erik February 29th, 2008

I'm not buying the sneeze video until it comes out on Blu-ray. Crispin Glover in High-Def, Yeah Baby!

George McFly February 29th, 2008

Hi Chemical Erik,

My entire being is "Hi-Def", not just my videos. Just ask Lorraine.

"Meow…"

G Dog March 2nd, 2008

Why does everyone misspell bitney spear's name?

Christov March 2nd, 2008

Same reason you didn't capitalize your own misspelling…

Chemical Erik March 2nd, 2008

Lorraine - Can you define George McFly for us?

G-Dog - Do you read that much about Brittany to know if people are spelling her name correctly?

G Dog March 3rd, 2008

Britney is cool. I love her earlier songs.. Otherwise, I think she just has a crazy gene and a drug/alcohol problem.

Paul March 10th, 2008

You all watch too much TV.

Heather March 13th, 2008

Can I just shout an AMEN like it's an old country church?

Doc April 15th, 2008

Don't it make you just want to wrap your arms around them, give them a big hug and tell them, "honey, it's going to be all right." Then maybe take them fishing or something?

People need to eat more radishes. Radishes are a good clean, easy to carry, tangy little vegetable that will help you get a better perspective on life. At least they work for me. Where di that come from?

Yeah, Paris, Brit and a slew of other cute little girls that probably know that one day everything they have is going to wrinkle up, flop down and get ugly. They ain't going down without a fight and living it up while they can. Too many just happen to die in the process.

We make them and then we destroy them, we eat our young.

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