The morning’s thoughts have made me interested in getting a question on the next national census— “If given the chance, would you rather meet God or your favorite celebrity of all-time in their prime?” You might think this is an obvious answer, but maybe it isn’t.
Of course, I pondered such a premise myself. It would certainly verify a lot of theological quandaries to meet God, but then what would you talk about with him/her/it? Since God would already know what you’re thinking, that wouldn’t allow for much conversation. To boot, would God answer all of your burning questions (like “Who shot JFK?” or “Who ate the last slice of cold pizza?”) or would he just give you impossible riddles to solve? Of course, this all is based on the assumption God would even show up.
Equally, to meet the Beatles after the 1965 Shea Stadium concert would be a trip, or Albert Einstein when he came up with E=mc2, or Michelangelo after he finished painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. But when you take away all of the cameras and glitz and make-up, celebrities aren’t that different from the rest of us. We admire them for their talents, because they can do things we cannot like sing, dance, act, draw, paint and write. But other than that, big deal.
The media and history books give famous people an aura of invincibility, just as the Bible gives one to God… thus making my choice difficult. So perhaps instead of answering the question, I’d just ask for the equivalent cash prize. Why? Because when it’s over, you can say you met someone of cultural worth, but it’s not going to help you in your everyday life.