The Prince of Peace

I've resisted writing anything about Michael Jackson up until now. On Sunday I bemoaned the fact that it was "all Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson all the time." But when I read a piece on CNN.com, I needed to weigh in.

The mayor of Gary, Indiana (Jackson's home town) wants to have a memorial service there, and have Jackson "lie in state." He called Jackson, "the prince of peace."

CNN reports

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay has been in contact with the Jackson family, hoping to make that happen, spokeswoman Lalosa Burns said Tuesday.

Clay told Chicago radio station WGN that he expects that Jackson's body will, at the least, be taken to Gary for a memorial service he is planning next week.

"I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana," Clay said Tuesday. "Now, it may not happen, but I believe it will."

The Jackson memorial service is set for July 10 at U.S. Steel Works ballpark in Gary, Burns said.

It would be "a memorial that's fit for the prince of peace and a memorial that's fit for Gary, Indiana's favorite son, the greatest entertainer that ever lived," Clay said.

Much has been said about Michael Jackson. Some call him "Prince Michael"; others "Wacko Jacko." But this is the first time I've heard him called, "The Prince of Peace"! It is not often that popular culture so clearly displays its idolatry but when a burned out performer is given names reserved for Jesus Christ, it really makes one wonder!

Moreover, lying in state usually only applies when the bodies of government officials or royalty are displayed in the principal government building of a country or city. I suppose the Mayor of Gary wants to cash in on some tourism dollars!

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