I feel sadness for him because I think his life was very much not his own. As for the "fall," well, we're all human. I don't say that to condone or condemn. It is a fact that something happened, but we're probably never going to know just exactly what it was.

I have no hate for MJ. But I'm a bit alarmed about people wailing in the streets and the woman who was interviewed saying she hadn't stopped crying (this was 6 days later). I think that kind of grief for a public figure one only "knew" through the radio or TV is rather absurd. It also bothers me that the city of LA and it's resources were so heavily burdened in a time when most city governments can't take too many more straws to the camel's back.

Michael Jackson, rest in peace…a peace the world did not give you.

maybe it has to do with the length of the comment…

so let's see if this goes through when I hit submit

The American culture says, "Get on with it. He's dead. Life must go on."
The Christian culture says, "We shouldn't worship anyone but God."
So when we see what looks like a sustained dwelling on one's death as well as a perceived idolization of a man (in this case MJ), every cultural button in our body is pushed.

Contrast this with what we see in the pages of Scripture. Look at the death of Lazarus even. Jesus comes upon the scene where there is literal weeping and gnashing of teeth over a man–a flesh-and-blood man. Women were wearing black. Dust was being thrown on heads. Everyone was crying. And it lasted for days. Even Jesus joined in the ritual. Jesus wept.

Lazarus was not a king (at least, not from what we can tell). Lazarus was just a regular dude, but his culture–Jesus' culture–said that this was how you mourned for someone who meant a lot to you.

To put it in context, MJ's memorial service would have been a warm-up for the people of Jesus' day! Regardless of how you may feel about him personally (what I feel you wrongly classify as "the truth"), his life and his music meant the world to a large amount of people. Because of that, they are going to respond to his death out of that connection. It is unconscionable to pass judgment on how people respond to his death because it offends your cultural sensibilities.

My point is this: You (the imperial 'you') do not have a monopoly on the truth. In this instance, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to react to MJ's death. Simply because it does not line up with how you or I might respond does not make it wrong. Just different.

The church does no better by making Michael a Christian, simply because he was something big. Most of the songs yesterday were all Christian based but yet it downgrades the message of salvation. I can't judge his heart only God can but lets as a church not say "he is in heaven" when we really don't know.

Well from your point of view Jesus would approach it in grace, I agree that Michael is loved the same way as anyone else but I, and many others, are also tired of being accused of hatred simply because you say, "why are we glorifying a man that has had such a shady life?" We certainly would not do the same for a murderer and I am sure most of the people here would not have let their child sleep over at MJ's house if he were still alive. They are relevant points of view that get overlooked because we want to sentimentalize the whole situation. Boy, we are both straightforward with each other but I appreciate your views. =)

And you used "haters" in your facebook post from what I was referring to, not your title of the blog. Just an addendum.

The American culture says, "Get on with it. He's dead. Life must go on."
The Christian culture says, "We shouldn't worship anyone but God."
So when we see what looks like a sustained dwelling on one's death as well as a perceived idolization of a man (in this case MJ), everyone cultural button in our body is pushed.

Contrast this with what we see in the pages of Scripture. Look at the death of Lazarus even. Jesus comes upon the scene where there is literal weeping and gnashing of teeth over a man–a flesh-and-blood man. Women were wearing black. Dust was being thrown on heads. Everyone was crying. And it lasted for days. Even Jesus joined in the ritual. Jesus wept.

Lazarus was not a king (at least, not from what we can tell). Lazarus was just a regular dude, but his culture–Jesus' culture–said that this was how you mourned for someone who meant a lot to you.

To put it in context, MJ's memorial service would have been a warm-up for the people of Jesus' day! Regardless of how you may feel about him personally (what I feel you wrongly classify as "the truth"), his life and his music meant the world to a large amount of people. Because of that, they are going to respond to his death out of that connection. It is unconscionable to pass judgment on how people respond to his death because it offends your cultural sensibilities.

My point is this: You (the imperial 'you') do not have a monopoly on the truth. In this instance, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to react to MJ's death. Simply because it does not line up with how you or I might respond does not make it wrong. Just different.

Good conversation Justin, you do challenge me.

“It isn't about stone throwing or judging, it is simply stating facts about who he was” – I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen some boulders. And how can you mention the media persuading thoughts and then claim to state facts. Were you there?

“Does that mean because he died, due to a likely drug overdose, that we turn a blind eye to it?” – If you have a drug problem, take this as a sign to go and seek help. If you don’t have a drug problem, turn a blind eye.

“This bothers me and should bother everyone because we end up getting fed half-truths in order to swallow what we sentimentally want to accept.” – I don’t think anyone is unaware that a possibly drug overdose is in question. And it makes me proud to see that certain people aren’t swayed in their feelings of grief because of it. Who am I to judge? Isn’t it a good thing to want to see the GOOD in someone else?

“vicious accusations that are simply reporting truth is ridiculous and in turn people who are speaking truth are being called racist” – What?!?!

I have been enjoying MJ’s eulogy. I am happy to be participating, on some level, during this time in history. It is one of those special moments that the world unites in memory. No matter what views you have, this (on some level) is a bond of humanity.

"If someone disagrees with your point of view, then you are hating." That's not true. You can disagree with me all day long. That wasn't the point. Michael Jackson, the man, was just like you and like me: Warts and all. When people attack him based on what he did or did not do when he was alive I wonder what basis do they have for those attacks? Hence, "hatin'" (I would also do well to acknowledge that "hatin'" is slang.)

"Because people have strong concern over the glorification of Michael Jackson and simply state that this is being overdone, they are suddenly called haters. " How much of this is Michael Jackson's fault? One cannot control how others respond to them, much less post mortem.

"Because people are simply pointing out facts that he had done some stuff that was way out of line, they are considered haters." In all honesty, what do you hope to gain by pointing out one man's (obvious) faults?

You have four different arguments going on, none of which are coherent. I've said it before to you, Ben, but how would Jesus approach this situation?