Beware: the Media’s “Crucifixion Complex”

Commentary

One of the advantages of aging is the ability to see patterns and trends. I have noticed over the decades that the media has a “Crucifixion Complex.”

In short, they delight in building up celebrities, and then then they delight even more in tearing them down. They create their “gods,” and then they “crucify” them. The media profits both ways. 

This applies to all sorts of celebrities and famous people, including: actors, singers, musicians, athletes, politicians, and clergy. There are countless examples.

Here are a few of the famous people who have been “deified” and then “crucified,” by the media.

• Richard Nixon (U.S. President. “Tricky Dick”)  
• Bill Clinton (U.S President, “Slick Willy”)
• Lance Armstrong (Champion Bicyclist)  
• Tiger Woods (Champion Golfer)
• Lindsay Lohan (Actress)
• Mel Gibson (Actor/Director)
• Michael Jackson (Singer/Performer)
• O.J. Simpson (Athlete/Actor)
• Bill Cosby (Comedian/Actor)
• Jim Bakker (Televangelist)
• Jimmy Swaggart (Televangelist)
• Martha Stewart (Businesswoman/TV Personality)

These “false idols” had “feet of clay.”  There are common causes of their “downfall.” They got entangled in the widespread “root sins.”

• Sex
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Pride
• Power
• Wealth

“Pride goeth before the fall.”  “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”  “What goes up, must come down.”

The media profits greatly from these personal tragedies.  They profit when they are creating their gods, and they profit even more when they crucify them.  We must be aware, and beware, of the media “crucifixion complex.”

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