Several times I have covered Lady Gaga on this blog. She is a complicated person, and now she’s openly speaking of spiritual things. So, this is my tuff (area of expertise and education), and I want to weigh in. You can too.
It’s the habit of most who comment about Gaga to past judgement on her, but that is not the point of this post, or my other posts. While I welcome your comments, I ask that you attempt to be thoughtful and intelligent in your responses. You don’t have to like her to comment, but if you want to bash her, find a different blog to barf on.
It seems she’s the archetype of a person who is (seemingly) easy to pigeon hole. But this mega star, and so many like her (who are not in the limelight) are just people who are trying to find their way in the world. You may think differently, but maybe you should watch the footage below, first.
I provide this engagement on the topic of the person who is the singer and performer Stefani Germanotta because so many are watching her and following her.
When she asks people to do things, millions respond. This strikes me as important to note for Christians, as we interact with those God loves, and enact the messge of the gospel of God’s grace poured out on us, in Jesus Christ.
Also, I think it helps (as Christians) to engage the struggles of many people, all while questioning our motives and the hidden influencers of our interactions with people that sound, look, dress, and act differently than we prefer. I’d say it takes to task our enactments of grace and love toward God, ourselves, and others. I hope it will challenge this in you.
Besides, it’s really a gawker vortex, seriously, no?
So, here is the topic de jour. Let’s talk about this. I found this recent video footage quite curious:
The scoop:
Unlike many stars, Lady Gaga prays before concerts (to God, not herself as some might first assume or expect).
This prayer footage (from her upcoming HBO special) begins at the 2:40 marker. (The first part of the video is somewhat of a breakdown in her confidence. Quite a bit of crying, part pep talk, some non sequitur stuff, and some emotional hysteria. But, to me, it also seems to be, at least in part, some genuine footage of the acute struggle this 25 year old has performing and living life larger than life in front of millions of fans and foes.)
Will her public prayers to God encourage others to rely on him too? Perhaps. What do you think?
And, yes, in case you’re wondering…I could speak to what seems like a bit of flawed theology, but I’m waiting for her to phone me, so we can talk it over.
Actually, I think many would be good to follow her lead in seeking God’s help, as she does here.
Yes, I question her use of the word “worship” when speaking about her fans. It strikes me as overdone, misguided, and/or unhealthy, unless she is actually referencing serving and loving them selflessly. And, yes, it could all be just a stunt, as pop stars are given to do. I’m not naive.
Nevertheless it provokes a deeper look at the spiritual.
Let’s face it, how many super stars pray, and ask for God’s help before a show, let alone allow the world to see them do it? Don’t say “Amy Grant”. That doesn’t count.
Remember this also, her core fans aren’t Christians, or praying types, in particular. What does it behove her to be so “old fashioned”? Isn’t it much cooler to be “over Christianity” and be Buddhist or wear a red string Kabbalah bracelet?
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NOTE: If you watch the first part, or the very end after, marker 3:46, be aware that there is some cussing. You have been warned.
3:46
Lady Gaga Presents: Gaga Revealed by HBO
I think it is incredible and incredibly complicated. She is praying and praying to God. This is commendable. And obviously she looks to Him to find her strength. What I find interesting, and perhaps troubling, is the fact that she refers to her fans as “the kingdom” and that it cannot be torn down. She certainly has a complicated set of beliefs. Ultimately I think she is still after her own glory and the establishment of a kingdom of ‘rejects’ which become the archetypal structure (Born this Way). Those who claim that she a nefarious demon worshiper are obviously mistaken. I would love to find out more on her theological/biblical views.
It does seem quite confusing and mixed up, her prayer verbiage, but yes, I was surprised too. It appears she’s praying to the same God I communicate with, so that raises more questions. She can’t be just dismissed as she seems to truly be carrying on a very spiritual practice rooted specifically in Christian tradition.
True enough. Many evangelicals would claim that our perception of Christ measures whether we are actually praying to the “right” Christ. I have some major problems with this as I outline here. http://bit.ly/m42oXY Nevertheless, I have to accept that Christ loves her prayers just as much as mine. We are both His children, regardless of whichever misunderstandings and baggage we may be bringing to Him.
I imagine some will tear her apart for being so weak – I say if you’ve got that many people watching then you’d better be humble. Out of sheer necessity. I will say she has a very inflated view of how important she is for her fans, which being disconnected from pop music, I don’t quite understand. Nonetheless I appreciate the ability to not let the fame go to her head.
I say…good..
I truly believe that God hears and answers prayers of people that often don’t even know or think they are “praying”.
They wake up in the morning and say “I can’t take it anymore, something has got to change” and similar non-Christianized prayers.
As far as I know, she did come from a church…and just because someone is disconnect from a church does not mean they aren’t part of The Church. (I know, there are some/many that would disagree passionately with that).
we all love i now catholic but you have to beleve the go the god is one you need beleve him dont cry any more