I am saddened by his passing.
Even though I am aware of the charges of pedophilia against him I understand him better than many because I spent three decades in the world he grew up in. Consider the following.
He was born to a couple who were in the Jenovah's Witnesses. His father was by acconts very domineering and even possibly abusive in a religion where the husband is head of the house and can do pretty much whatever he wants to his wife and children without fear of church discipline. Wife beating and child molestation were, and often still are, swept under the rug to protect the image of the organization. That often happens in religions which are as controling and insular as the Witnesses. Think that over because I dare not post the obvious possibilities.
Another thing about the Witnesses is that at the time Mr. Jackson decided to train his boys for and pusrue for them a successful career in entertainment his decision was a big no-no as far as the Watchtower was concerned, period. Already successful celeberties who decided to convert to that faith were required to give up their careers and use their wealth to pursue the "full-time" door to door preaching, no xceptions. Those already in were highly discouraged from netering lucrative careers such as the entertainment industry and sports. Even more so, they were also highly discouraged from entering college to gain the chance at better paying jobs. At the time Michael was born the organization even often discouraged youths from finishing highschool.
So add to the alledged abuse from Michael's father the ostrcism his family likely endured because of their pursuit of fame and fortune an the picture isn't very pretty. It was enough to warp most anybody. I write this not to excuse any sin or crime he may have comitted but to explain. I've been there because when I decided to get a post- highschool education I and my family were informally ostarcized as well.
Michael and his families became trailblazers in that they demonstrated that one could defy the edicts of the organization in that area and remain in the organization if one chose, though most of them endedc up leaving it anyway. And at least one of them to join the Black Muslims wh are every bi as controlling as the Watchtower.
Since then others have trod the same path which before had been closed, such as Selena and the Williams sisters. And that despite Serena posing nude for sports illustrated, something which would earn most sisters in the organization a disfellowshiping so fat their head would spin off. Celebereties such as Prince have been allowed to keep their careers. So Michael and his family have done something positive in that regard.
Michael's life spun out of control after he lost his grounding, his faith. It is rumored among the Witnesses that just about the time of the release of the album Thriller the governing body of the Watchtower, the JW equivalent of the Poped and the college of cardinals, approached him and tried to dictate what sort of music and videos he could do. The details have never come out but I nderstand that he dissociated himself from the Witnesses because he and the church leaders couldn't come to an mutual agreement on the issue. Then, as now, one who does that is dead as far as tr other witnesses are concerned. They are not even allowed to acknowledge such a person exists even if they encounter them face to face on thr street.
The Witnesses are taught that those cast out of the faith or who leave itare already judged as dea by God and will die at Armaggedon or not receive a ressurrection if they die. Since Michael fervently believed that, he ended up losing whatever moral compass he had and his life spun out of control resulting in his bizzare behavior. That often happens to those cast out of the JWs. It's just that Michael's fame made the sad results a very public spectacle, some which doesn't happen with most since they have little or no fame or money.
So I am saddened by his passing and pity the man as well. He never found the grounding he needed to live a normal life. I also refuse to judge him as that is God's job and not mine. Recall that in his sermon on the mountwe are encouraged not to judge others lest we receive an adverse judgement ourselves.
Dupin
P.S. Please excuse my misspellings. I am still recovering from being temporarily blind and don't see so well. I also don't have the stamina right now to go back and do the extensive corrections needed.
The difference between Capitalists and Socialists.
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is no force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist." John Adams
"The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property." Karl Marx
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by dee
Bookmarks