For the Love of Elvis.

[Teddy]

Elvis's faith is well documented and so much of what we know about his character appears to be informed by his Christianity in some part.
Consequently, the irony that he was subject to what some would consider 'false idolatry' was not lost on him in his lifetime and I'm sure you're all familiar with tales of his discomfort at being referred to as The King, within the context of his belief.

When I was last in Memphis, I was entertained to read a bumper sticker bearing the slogan "A Vote For Elvis Is A Vote For The Lord" and it got me thinking about the conflict within this concept.
During his lifetime and posthumously, Elvis's fan base has been characterized by it's enduringly passionate devotion and the often ritualistic celebration of his image, presenting (as a phenomenon) one of the more obvious challenges to the discouragement of "false idolatry" within the genuinely religious element of his following.

Given that there appears to be a considerable portion of Elvis's fan-community who are religious people, does anyone know what the general attitude towards fan idolatry is as a practicing Christian (or other faith) when engaged in hero-adulation on the 'exaltation level' of serious Elvis' devotees?
Is his love of Gospel music and his own outspoken faith enough to justify the bumper sticker and a lifetime of venerating a mortal rock'n'roll performer or is this an example of somebody trying to feel better about yielding to their temptations?

Also, did Elvis' willingness to be worshipped reflect a compromise in his own Christianity?

[KPM]

I think it depends on your idea of "idol worship" In Christianity one of the 10 Commandments is:
"You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3).c.
“You shall not make for yourself any carved image” (Ex 20:4).

So if you actually worship Elvis as your God in life and death-then I think you are running into trouble with the Christian faith.
I think Elvis loved to be loved-but he was always careful to warn fans that the one true King was in Heaven.
Also in his singing of religious music he was in essence pointing to that King in Heaven and saying "How Great Thou Art" each time.
Bumper stickers are fun, but having one on a vehicle is a far cry from serious discussion of religion.
Elvis was a sinner, but so is every single person since the Garden of Eden. IMO Sin is sin- from the biggest ones such as murder, to the smallest white lie. We all have to atone to God and walk our path in a personal way. So I see little conflict in Elvis's life that I can not identify with (but naturally not in the exact circumstance just in the idea that we all sin)

[SleepyJack]

I think that there may be a very tiny minority of people who see Elvis in a God-like way,but I`m neither qualified nor knowledgable enough to rate their sin for it...to me Elvis has always been a very positive force in the whole scheme of things and I don`t see how someone who brought so much happiness to so many people could ever be seen as being against God in any way....if anything we should all strive to leave as much happiness and love in the world as possible.

[Diane]

I agree with both of you KPM and Jack. Elvis did love to be loved but I think he would have been horrified to know that some perceive him as a deity. I do think those numbers are small though and I don't think that he wanted or meant this to happen.

Diane