St. Britney of Spears?

                                                                        St. Britney of Spears? 

 Britney Spears was a teenage pop music star who began her career so young that for most of us she is very old news even though at 39 she has lots of life before her. That's the hope anyway and she is determined to live those years free of the constraints of a conservatorship held by her father. Britney is a wealthy woman and still performing but emotional troubles of the past resulted in this strange legal relationship between daughter and parent. She is involved in a court battle to regain autonomy and it appears that she still has legions of fans rooting for her. 

I find celebrity fascinating in the way that our supposedly secular society seems to have replaced the religious saints of the past with music and film versions. In the United States they become governors and presidents with little evidence that they are equipped for the roles. Some of the most adored are "famous for being famous" and we often give a free pass to celebs when it comes to their behaviour. Glam and fame have replaced miracles and martyrdom. 

We were listening to an audiobook novel a few days ago where two characters, one a researcher of music from previous ages, chat about relics of the saints, the dubious bits and pieces of the religious rock stars which became prized possessions of churches and princes. It all seems rather macabre but as absurd as it sounds, what are up to in our time? 

It does seem that the courts should allow Britney to take control of her life as she's on the precipice of middle age, even if she crashes and burns. 

How about we stick with Jesus for our devotion and forget the vast array of other saintly figures, divine and profane?