Conversion and Celebrity.
Public sinners.
In the history of the Church, there have been many public conversions of notorious sinners and atheists, going back to the Magdalen - if you accept she was the woman caught in adultery - anyway, you get the idea. Among the “greats” in my saints who were sinners gallery are Margaret of Cortona, the Jewish convert Alphonse Ratisbonne, and the former alcoholic Matt Talbot, to name a few. In the case of St. Margaret, she was held back from entering the Third Order of St. Francis for three years, to test the authenticity of her conversion. Alphonse Ratisbonne became a priest, while Matt Talbot led a very hidden, humble life.
What characterizes most public and private repentant sinner’s lives, is a reluctance to speak about their sins, instead they most always praise God for his mercy when they make any reference to their conversion. Two exceptions come to mind; they would be St. Augustine, who wrote his “Confessions” and Teresa of Avila, who wrote her Autobiography - under obedience and not for public consumption. Generally, sinners don’t ‘celebrate’ their sins after they repent.
Public conversions.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than many righteous who have no need to do so. Hence, we know the great joy that envelops the soul of the repentant sinner, and the glory this gives to God. However, the experience of conversion is an ongoing process, not just a one time deal. Our conversion of manners evolves, often amidst many temptations to return to our former way of life. We are often tried and tested when we come to serve the Lord. To celebrate one’s conversion publicly can be dangerous, if not precipitous, no matter how dramatic the event.
Very simply, if a reversal, or any backsliding occurs, the person is not only publicly embarrassed, but others may be scandalized, and it may occasion scorn and mockery from unbelievers. (This has happened to a few high profile Christians in the recent past.) The other danger is that the individual can take such delight in their own conversion and the honors they receive on account of it, that they become impressed with their own celebrity, albeit minor, or reputation for holiness.
The thrill of the conversion.
Today we have the example of Dawn Eden, author of “The Thrill of the Chaste”. It is an extremely relevant book as regards chastity for contemporary men and women, no doubt about that. The great thing about the book is that it may reach the otherwise unreachable ”urban” woman with a message that could liberate her from the dissatisfaction of an unchaste life. Ms. Eden has received a great deal of notice for the book, as well as her blog, which pretty much chronicles her day to day life and opinion. This type of personal testimony on her part is typical of the times, nevertheless, it sometimes seems rather indiscreet, as well as lacking the test of time - that is, perseverance in a way of life that is relatively new to her. This isn’t a criticism, but an observation.
She has not been a Catholic for very long, and her path to Catholicism has been a mosaic of various spirituality’s and religious views. Her mother, who was a convert to Catholicism is now a member of another Christian denomination. The danger here, is that Roman Catholicism could simply be just another trend in a trendy life. I know many people who were once extremely devout and enthusiastic Catholics - for a time - wherein they enjoyed a certain “lime-light” due to a remarkable conversion, although later, left the Church.
Staying power.
One of the women I refer to was born and raised in the Jewish faith, experimented with Protestantism, and then became Catholic. She had been fawned over by priests and nuns, only later to leave the Church and became Protestant. Another woman, strongly into Wicca, mesmerized a priest and his following because of her dramatic conversion, only to return to the “Craft” after her popularity waned. What does the parable of the sower and the seed tell us about this phenomenon? The seed that sprouts quickly, dies off due to the various obstacles it encounters in its growth. Which happens to be my point here.
I’m not criticizing Ms. Eden’s conversion, nor her book - although it reads pretty “Sex In the City” - other’s have called it vulgar - but that is popular culture, and Ms. Eden is writing for that audience. God bless her for it, because she can reach many people through this book.
Nevertheless, I’m often surprised by her fans and the celebrity they accord her, as well as her apparent delight with her new-found career in the God-business. We live in a time when our religious and spiritual lives have become a marketable commodity. Undoubtedly, Paul’s words to Timothy ring true today - “There is great gain in religion…” Contemporary writing is certainly a vibrant form of witness to the faith, yet in some instances it can seem to approach a tendency towards immodest self-promotion.
Marketing and pop-Cath icons.
Practicing Catholics are not immune to the cult of celebrity, nor the marketing of religious writers who fit into all the Catholic trends. Dawn Eden seems to tell the world you can indeed be hip and Catholic - or, that it is hip to be Catholic. A few popular Catholic writers seem to suggest the same thing. It’s not a bad thing, since many people may thus be attracted to the Catholic faith in and through their writing.
Dawn Eden has an interesting interview on Busted Halo, in which we get a pretty good glimpse into her life and journey to the Catholic Church. It is well worth the read. Will success spoil Dawn Eden’s faith? Let’s hope not. However, I think she can surely use our prayers more than awards.
