Susan Boyle - a religious perspective

[LA Ute]

Michael Paulson, the Boston Globe's religion writer, asks "Why does video of Susan Boyle move us?" I've been wondering the same thing - he says "Google reports that "Susan Boyle" is . . . the second fastest-rising search term in the world." Paulson points us to what James Martin, S.J., a Jesuit priest who is the associate editor of America magazine, says about that:

The way we see Susan Boyle is very nearly the way God sees us: worthwhile, special, talented, unique, beautiful. The world generally looks askance at people like Susan Boyle, if it sees them at all. Without classic good looks, without work, without a spouse, living in a small town, people like Susan Boyle may not seem particularly "important." But God sees the real person, and understands the value of each individual's gifts: rich or poor, young or old, single or married, matron or movie star, lucky or unlucky in life. God knows us. And loves us.

"Everybody is somebody" said Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan at his installation Mass in New York City yesterday. That's another reason why the judges smile and the audience explodes in applause.

Because they recognized a basic truth planted deep within them by God: Susan Boyle is somebody.

Everybody is somebody.

Makes sense to me. Jeff Holland could have said that.

[SeattleUte]

Who is she?

[LA Ute]

Who is she?

The links will get you to what all the talk is about.

[SeattleUte]

The links will get you to what all the talk is about.

Thanks.

[Babs]

Boyle's story certainly touches on Biblical themes of the last shall be first and knitted in the mother's womb and all, but I don't think a religious context is necessary to explain her appeal. Further, I don't really think the gentlemen accurately identified the nature of the appeal.

The argument is that we're drawn to Boyle because she gives us hope that everybody is somebody -- that we all have a fundamental worth. I disagree. We're drawn to Boyle because she gives us hope, but not hope of what we are, but hope of what we can become. We are drawn to her for the same reason we're drawn to Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker and Sarah Palin and Boise State. We want to believe that anyone, no matter how unlikely, can be a hero for a day.

So honestly, I see Boyle's story as evidence of almost the opposite of what Paulson/Martin argue. Why do we pull for the underdog? If his worth is already established, what does it matter if he succeeds? Our cultural obsession with the success of the underdog suggests that our focus is on the the prize rather than the person. So the truth is that Boyle's story underscores our collective belief not that we all have a fundamental worth, but instead that we're worth more once we're successful.

[LA Ute]

So honestly, I see Boyle's story as evidence of almost the opposite of what Paulson/Martin argue. Why do we pull for the underdog? If his worth is already established, what does it matter if he succeeds? Our cultural obsession with the success of the underdog suggests that our focus is on the the prize rather than the person. So the truth is that Boyle's story underscores our collective belief not that we all have a fundamental worth, but instead that we're worth more once we're successful.

I certainly don't see her that way, but I can see how others might. Sometimes people like Susan Boyle are a cipher and we project on them our own views of the world.

[TripletDaddy]

I certainly don't see her that way, but I can see how others might. Sometimes people like Susan Boyle are a cipher and we project on them our own views of the world.

Sometimes? If I recall correctly, you posted her video clip here telling us that we should not judge by appearance. This means that you not only saw her as being super ugly and was subsequently shocked that she might actually have something to offer, but you also assumed that others would see her that way, too.

I think it was HFN that pointed out that all of this hubbub is basically because the world is shocked that an ugly woman has talent.

I was not moved by her clip. The real allure of that clip is not her singing. It is the setup and the crowd shots....nobody took her seriously and then everyone is surprised that she can sing. Also, the UK and US love to see Simon get put in his place. If you edit out the intro and post comments and simply watch a clip of this woman singing, nobody would care and it would probably be the source of many jokes.

I doubt anyone would want to trade places with Susan Boyle if it means that have to have her physical appearance, regardless of how moving and awesome she is. I think that most of the press now trying to make her a Saint is largely in part to make everyone feel less guilty about how shallow we all are.

[LA Ute]

Sometimes? If I recall correctly, you posted her video clip here telling us that we should not judge by appearance. This means that you not only saw her as being super ugly and was subsequently shocked that she might actually have something to offer, but you also assumed that others would see her that way, too.

I think it was HFN that pointed out that all of this hubbub is basically because the world is shocked that an ugly woman has talent.

I was not moved by her clip. The real allure of that clip is not her singing. It is the setup and the crowd shots....nobody took her seriously and then everyone is surprised that she can sing. Also, the UK and US love to see Simon get put in his place. If you edit out the intro and post comments and simply watch a clip of this woman singing, nobody would care and it would probably be the source of many jokes.

I doubt anyone would want to trade places with Susan Boyle if it means that have to have her physical appearance, regardless of how moving and awesome she is. I think that most of the press now trying to make her a Saint is largely in part to make everyone feel less guilty about how shallow we all are.

Like I said, we all see her differently. Doesn't mean you're wrong.

[Babs]

I doubt anyone would want to trade places with Susan Boyle if it means that have to have her physical appearance, regardless of how moving and awesome she is. I think that most of the press now trying to make her a Saint is largely in part to make everyone feel less guilty about how shallow we all are.

And those comments afterwards? How embarrassing for us.

"What a surprise! We were all laughing at you! We're not laughing now!"

"You know why I'm excited for you? Because everybody here was hoping you would fail."

At one point you can see her eyes dart down and her face start to crumple as she's being showered with "praise." Good grief.

[TripletDaddy]

Like I said, we all see her differently. Doesn't mean you're wrong.

how do you see her?

[TripletDaddy]

And those comments afterwards? How embarrassing for us.

"What a surprise! We were all laughing at you! We're not laughing now!"

"You know why I'm excited for you? Because everybody here was hoping you would fail."

At one point you can see her eyes dart down and her face start to crumple as she's being showered with "praise." Good grief.

Exactly! This is my point. This whole religious epiphany is not that ugly people have things to offer the world....it is that we are all a shallow bunch of egotists that prejudge everyone. This Susan Boyle thing shouldn't be an inspiration...it should be a word of warning to all of us to stop being so cruel.

There are plenty of people that can sing like she sings. The only thing that makes it notable is her looks. So if you are finding it especially inspiring (above and beyond listening to any other competent singer), it is because deep down, you think that ugly people don't have much to offer.

[CardiacCoug]

There are plenty of people that can sing like she sings. The only thing that makes it notable is her looks. So if you are finding it especially inspiring (above and beyond listening to any other competent singer), it is because deep down, you think that ugly people don't have much to offer.

I agree that it was all about the setup. Anybody been to an opera recently?

There are hundreds if not thousands of fat, homely people who can sing really, really well.

[Jeff Lebowski]

And those comments afterwards? How embarrassing for us.

"What a surprise! We were all laughing at you! We're not laughing now!"

"You know why I'm excited for you? Because everybody here was hoping you would fail."

At one point you can see her eyes dart down and her face start to crumple as she's being showered with "praise." Good grief.

I had the same reaction. It all looked like a big setup to me. To get this far, this woman had to have done some screenings. I thought it was manipulative.

[Babs]

There are plenty of people that can sing like she sings. The only thing that makes it notable is her looks. So if you are finding it especially inspiring (above and beyond listening to any other competent singer), it is because deep down, you think that ugly people don't have much to offer.

yep. Everybody loves the underdog. But wait a sec - why is she an underdog? Well, it's clearly not because of a lack of talent or any other relevant disadvantage. The saddest (and most telling) aspect of Boyle's tale is that she's been rendered an underdog simply because she's old and funny looking.

[Babs]

I had the same reaction. It all looked like a big setup to me. To get this far, this woman had to have done some screenings. I thought it was manipulative.

yeah, and the hosts weren't particularly good actors, either. "wow! we had no idea!! really we didn't!"