Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

karima3994 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:29:53 GMT

I found the coverage troubling. It seems to me that our eternal destiny is too serious a subject to be the occasion for sentimentalism (i.e., Michael looking down upon us from his perch on the moon). Everytime there is a celebrity funeral, I am reminded of Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man died and went to judgment. He saw Lazarus, a poor man who had preceded him in death, reclining in Abraham's bosom in heaven. The rich man said, "Father Abraham, warn my brothers so they will not come to this place of torment." If Michael Jackson could return from the dead, I wonder what he would say to his family and fans regarding what awaits each of us after death.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

Won2Jesus — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:18:47 GMT

The same parable came to my mind yesterday. I spoke to a friend last night about the emotionally-charged speech by Brooke Shields concerning Jackson's "eternal destiny."

I wondered what the basis for her statement was. If we really believe in eternal life wouldn't we invest more time and effort to reach a sound understanding? Are people, like Shields, expressing feelings alone?

Imagine a man sitting in a courtroom. He has opted to defend himself, and when the judge asks him to present his argument, he stands. Next, he begins defending his case by citing articles and bylaws that are completely irrelevant. Obviously, he is pulling these out of thin air and has no training in law. How well do you suppose this man's case would hold up?

Not only did the rich man, whom Lazarus had previously begged, see Lazarus in heaven above with Abraham but he (the rich man) became a begger for all of eternity! He couldn't even taste a drop of water!

Today, I found comfort in the following:

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood,

to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

and

“A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

mckeever — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:47:03 GMT

The part that I thought exceeded the bounds of decency was Sharpton's sermon. In so few words does he dismiss all the criminal charges and out-of-court settlements concerning MJ's molestation of minors. If ever a "minister" has catered to his audience, Sharpton did. One wonders if he knows how to open the Scriptures and preach a real, honest-to-God (literally) sermon!

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

Progressive American — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:36:00 GMT

clearly over the top. Cali is laying of teachers, but yet they can spend around 4 million so that he can have a larger than life funeral. People need to get their priorities straight.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

sniper2 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:42:08 GMT

Jackson's funeral was just too much. Even though he was a musical genius the funeral should not have been paid for by the tax payers money! The Jackson's should re-pay LA period!

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

citizenPZ — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:42:14 GMT

yeah, we should all focus more on Melissa Gilbert!

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

South African — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:00:37 GMT

it was a wonderful tribute to someone who gave the world great music! it made me think of how many of us live in judgment of others and in a distorted self rightous state... anyhow, none of that matters as we all will reap what we sow! I wish him peace... but somehow given who he is, that is a luxury he may never enjoy, even in death!

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

RKolk — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:48:03 GMT

I wonder if Orenthal will get this kind of treatment when he finally goes.

Yeah, he was found innocent, too, even though everybody knows he did it.

"Macaulay! Put your underpants back on!"

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

bagapath — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:43:11 GMT

Kolk! Don't you trust the legal system? The court acquitted him on all 14 counts of child molestation. So don't keep harping on rumors and innuendos. If you don't like the music of the greatest pop star of all time at least stay away from MJ related news and let his fans and supporters mourn him in peace, please.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

rokaY — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:32:51 GMT

Given his life, a more fitting end would have been to bury him in a clown car.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

schuter1 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:28:48 GMT

Hollywood just loves this stuff. The Al Sharptons and Jessie Jacksons come crawling out of the woodwork and all the celebrities have an excuse to put on all their finery, go somewhere that only they are allowed to get in to, and all get the faces back onto the TV screen and sing little songs.

Now, all of a sudden, Jackson is the Greatest Pop Star Of All Time? What's he done lately? I thought he lived in Dubai; when did he get back here, and did his creditors know he was back?

Yeah, way over the top.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

openup — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:57:57 GMT

There seems to be no end of meanness in the world. Open up. Let the sunshine in.

re: Jackson's Funeral: Touching or Over the Top?

mjfan1980 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:22:58 GMT

It was the way MJ would have wanted it. Very touching. Just right and perfect.