Idolatry Everywhere

There is a thin line between dedication and idolatry, whether we talk about journalistic profession or religious expression.

We admire those brave reporters and photographers who die while covering violent situations in their effort to take home the prized scoop or shot. We are astonished at those who have themselves nailed on the cross to keep their religious vows or at those who die in their attempt to touch an “image” of Christ. Both classes of people surely qualify for awards for dedication. But are these “sacrifices” necessary and totally unavoidable? Perhaps not. With a few exceptions, they fall squarely under the untouchable “I” word in this predominantly Catholic country and a media-dominated society like ours.

But let us make it very clear: Idolatry abounds everywhere. In Bombay, Macau, Havana, Hollywood and Manila, it is not only a way of life for many; it is the only way to live. Once it becomes a habit, everything else – one’s thoughts, one’s diet and one’s family affairs – revolves around the focused object or objective.

Unavoidably, when a person agrees to work as a field reporter, he embraces certain professional parameters that grant him the privilege of becoming what he was educated to become. Or to put it another way, one’s idealism will be slowly eroded by the realities of the bigger world beyond the campus. What used to be taboo for young, unaffected students – like dissipation, gossip or intrigue – become common fare for a newcomer in the industry, in media or in sales, which is not much different. Oftentimes, in college, the habits begin to emerge.

Age-old and newly-formed norms become the guide-posts for those who enter the busy markets and bustling fields of our institutions. For a newspaper to survive, you have to compete with others in the gladiatorial arenas of journalistic contests. Networks have to battle over fertile territories. Just as selling requires you to put your foot against the open door, getting the scoop requires you to push that mike under the VIP’s nose. A salesman hands over the pen to the prospect in order to close the sale just as a photographer pokes his camera in front of an armed rebel to take the best close-up. Tricks of the trade learned from the previous masters of the industry.

It’s always been that way and it will always be that way. The news is a god. It moves and breathes 24/7 and is eternal.

And so is the wooden or golden image. Step on the other person’s foot to keep him from getting ahead of you. No, better still, step all over him so he will not cause you to fall and be stepped upon by others. All this time, the photographers and reporters are having a heyday documenting the carnage. Idolaters – or at least, servants of idolaters -- all keeping watch over their fellow idolaters. The number of those who die in the process will be bannered or broadcast in tomorrow’s papers or radios as it has always been done before. And it will be that way again next year. And always.

The priests and religious leaders may sound an alarm but they will never mention the “I” word. Much less condemn or stop the practices altogether. There is too much at stake for the organization – as it is for the news networks. All part of a riotous but otherwise normal working day for all.

In a land full of idols – things people would willingly die for but not necessarily be jailed for – we lose our sanity and sense of order and proportion. Rights to one’s religion or one’s profession vie for equality and protection under the laws of the land. Because of their clout, the defenders of these practices prevail. In such an environment, idolatry flourishes in many forms.

A journalist would proudly claim: There is no law that prevents a reporter from risking his own life in the line of duty. Oh, yeah? Did not God say, “You shall have no other gods before Me”? Why would you die – whether willfully or mindlessly -- for something that tradition or modern culture deems more important that your own life? God precisely forbade idolatry in order to stop people from offering their lives or their infants to lifeless and inutile gods who could not see, talk or even walk a step. So why endanger yourself for something that you know could and might put your life on the altar of false-worship?

And idolatrous worship is that irrational and disproportionate dedication we place upon so many things – yes, things other than God Himself: money, position, fame, beauty, possessions, vanity and power.

The government is duly instituted by God to establish order and to preserve life. Even if it means preventing a person from causing harm upon one’s self. Obviously, it is run by people who are themselves subject to the errors and weaknesses of others. For no one is exempt. One way or another, each of us has a propensity to put too much focus, time and effort on certain idols. But the laws exist to prevent our excesses somehow.

Satan, the great Deceiver, had long perfected the art of disguise and delusion. He and his cohorts lurk behind every idol. And he does this for one sole purpose: to win over God’s entire creation and to destroy all goodness in this world. How successful he has been, we can only deduce from the flow of money (Mammon, the great idol) into such things as we have mentioned: false religion, false beauty, false entertainment, false knowledge, false power and false glory.

It takes wisdom to discern an idol. No one can claim such ability for one’s self unless God grants it. Remember that even Aaron, Moses’ own brother and the would-be high priest of Israel, utterly fell for it. And even Moses fell for it when he thought his own position and privilege gave him the right to lash out in anger against the Israelites.

Watch out then what you value in life; that is, what you pay good money for, what you spend much time with and what you have great passion for. All these things, God had given us to make us whole and for us to have abundant joy. Your health, your youth and your beauty are all gifts from Him just as the fruits of Paradise were for Adam and Eve. Just remember: In every garden, there is a poisoned fruit that looks so good, tastes truly delicious and can make you become like God. Elementary Lesson #1 reviewed: Avoid the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. More often than not, they lead to idols -- false fronts that ultimately lead to sin.

An idol, in short, puts on a false front or image that seems desirable but leads to death. The trick then in avoiding idols is to look at what is behind them. Why? Because behind the forbidden tree slithered the serpent named Satan.

Today, Satan exists everywhere and so idols also abound. Watch where you go, my dear friend.

(Photo above: The University of the Philippines Oblation in Diliman, Quezon City -- the symbol of pure, living sacrifice -- seems to glow at UP's Centennial celebration kickoff-rites last January 8. Some have misrepresented and corrupted its ideal meaning with their shameless naked run on campus. And, of course, every time, media cover it with relish.)