There are more Jedis in the UK than there are Jews. There are also rumours of a First Church of Trek and even a Vulcan Temple.
In a world where Kirk Cameron (Show me that smile! Oh, show me that smile! Don't waste another - minute on your crying! Growing Pains, yo!) has become a preacher, pop culture has the potential of going into the religion business.
I once suggested, in my youth, that one day people will define themselves not by race, religion or creed, but rather in what kind of music they listen to. Or movies they watch.
The Twilight Saga has given birth to a zealot-like horde of screaming female fans. They also attacked anyone who would 'insult' their book or their story. In the States, a group of teenage girls beat up a guy cause he said Twilight sucks.
Well, Twilight SUCKS. It does. However, it does command respect because it is able to sell characterisation and plot that damn wooden and wonky, to millions and millions of fans.
Biggest opening weekend with New Moon, and it will only get bigger with Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.
Twilight works in the same way religion works. Everything about it is good, and you can't say otherwise, or you get attacked.
Nevermind the fact that something does not become good or bad simply by having people say it is good or bad.
Here, let me try:
Child Prostitution? GOOOOOOD. GOOOD!
Does that make child prostitution good? I don't think so.
Ellie Yousef Najeem? GOOOOOD. GOOOD!
Nope. Nada.
JAIS? GOOOOOD. GOOOD!
Not a thing, man.
This cult-like hostile devotion is present in most religions, political parties and even in some companies.
Apple zealotry is fucked up. The worship of Steve Jobs is so gay. Apple has been making gay products since the '80s, and that is neither bad nor good.
Zealot fans seek to define themselves from others by devotion. It is a symptom of identity crisis.
Devotion is part of religion. It has no place in a movie, song, TV series or comic books.
Oh well. Makes for interesting stories, so am not complaining.
