Alex and Sherman posted about Pastor Sun's new video many months back. Still, I think it's a fascinating item-event which could be a lightning bolt into conservative Christianity, potentially burning, igniting or catalysing.
Sun didn't make it 'easy' for us. I mean, if the video showed her grinding or against a hunky dude in the bedroom (or anywhere, for that matter), then the game's up.
But it isn't so simple. Granted it may 'shock' us (Asians, especially) that a pastor could be seen party-dancing in a music video, there are at least a few points to consider before any verdict can be finalised:
1. To get one thing out of the way, the word Geisha is not meant to be sexually connotated but instead refers to, "traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as classical music and dance." (ripped off Wiki, which also includes a section explaining that true Geishas are not prostitutes)
2. The song itself is about partying and fun (as opposed to something like the Pussycats' Buttons which is NOT about chic fashion). The lyrics (which are BARELY coherent, even when typed out!) contain little (if any) 'suggestive' ideas. Go ahead, click on the lyric link and tell me it doesn't remind you of a kindergarten rhyme?
"I am neither conservative nor liberal. I am just like any other contemporary girl living in the 21st century. I love many kinds of music and I want to express myself through both heartwarming ballads as well as fast-paced dance numbers.
"I'm also very much into fashion, and I like to look trendy and hip. I just believe that my whole "package" as an artist – which includes my music, dancing, dressing and performances – should be relevant to the modern, sophisticated and cosmopolitan society we live in." (this is from Part 2, Part 1 is here)
3. The video's most 'explicit' scene, IMO(!), is when a guy carries a girl in the middle of the dance floor and the girl starts gyrating. They're both fully dressed. The scene lasts 2.5 seconds or so.
4. Sun's most 'revealing' outfit looks like a swimsuit with wings, almost teenage-like and far far from what many of today's sex goddesses wear (plus, see her comments above). If we saw her wearing that at a family picnic at a beach, and someone cried damnation, we'd immediately think the fella was a funny-mentalist, having an extreme view of Biblical social codes, no?
5. There's Sun's own testimony on the video, her image, etc. Read it and ask yourself if it sounds like a lady out to make provocative statements via her body and music. She also says:
"I am a Christian on and off stage. Whether I am a singer, counselor, dancer or actress, it doesn't change what I believe in."
Does that count for anything?
On the other hand, we should also list down what's good about the video and its filming. Very briefly,
Christians can penetrate the world of music videos in a majorly way, build a bridge, etc.
Christians can more easily shed any 'square' or holier-than-thou attitudes and, if nothing else, show the world that (at least some forms of) fun and party-ing is something God-endorsed and even God-created(?)
Christians can connect better with teens and young adults via the video, even start up conversations about what's "(in)appropriate" about such entertainment, its supposed inconsistencies with Christianity, etc.
Note: Delephant's blog entry is a good one-stop place for links related to the controversy.
Posted at 06:17 pm by alwynlau
Posted by Alwyn @ 12/13/2007 08:07 AM PST
thanks 4 the thoughts, Caine. i guess a lot of controversy arises with the word 'modest' which is relative to culture/context/purpose, etc.
many would say that Sun's outfit is EXTREMELY 'modest' - others won't think so. what then? Ditto w it being an ad 4 sex (which some would say it a poor one compared to others!)
Also, what would Sun have to do be a star on MTV and have her Christian credentials intact? Given that we're in a certain culture, how do we 'fit in' without 'selling out'?
This one is a bit more dicey than I think you make it. Certainly it goes against the rules for modesty in dress in 1 Timothy. (Not that many women in my country obey that injunction either--I see more decolletage in church now than I see at some secular functions). Also, no matter how you cut it, the dancing is suggestive. Not as bad as some things you see on the dance floor even by teens and pre-teens in my country, but since when is our ethical standard "not as bad.."
The whole thing disturbs me. Maybe I am just too old, but why can't fun and energy not be tied to skimpy clothes and an advertisement for sex?
I know this is not a worship service...ehh, I hope not, anyway...but it still smacks more to me of Corinthian paganism than even the limping, semi-pagan Corinthian church.
Posted by Alwyn @ 12/12/2007 07:32 AM PST
ah, good point too, :)
Posted by Alex Tang @ 12/12/2007 01:14 AM PST
good point. But I wonder whether the 'more mature' Christians' reactive behaviour is a greater strumbling block than Sun's action.
Posted by Alwyn @ 12/11/2007 10:48 PM PST
athough i can't help but wonder if the 'don't stumble yr weaker brother/sister' is relevant in this issue...as in, there may be nothing wrong, but Sun should realise that 'weaker' Christians could be affeced?
Posted by Alex Tang @ 12/11/2007 01:39 AM PST
Thanks, Alwyn, for some nice thoughts. It is nice to read something that is not negative, judgmental or condemning. I like the way you analysed the video like the way i did. Seem there are certain similarity in our methodology.
There are times we need to be generous and give others the benefit of a doubt.
