Christo- and Eco-hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is an interesting concept, and one that is more or less universally condemned. I know of few systems of thought that would uphold hypocrisy as a good thing. As a Christian, Jesus reserves some of his harshest rebukes for those whom he dubs "hypocrites" (e.g., the 7 woes in Matthew).

Ironically, Christendom has suffered much from hypocrisy. How many attribute their rejection of Christianity to hypocrites within the church? Hypocrisy has been a mighty thunder-stealer from Christian attempts to speak into social issues as well. Sanctity of marriage? Right. Talk to me once the divorce rate within the church falls well below the national average. On and on it could go...

A few things are worthy of note in any discussion of hypocrisy, however:

1) Forgive my Aristotelian (Randian?) tautology, but truth is truth, yes? If cigarettes are bad for you, it doesn't really matter if the person telling you this fact is sucking down Pall Malls. So also with Christianity: If Jesus is Lord, then Jesus is Lord. That's the fact that should be investigated and accepted/rejected. If the pastor telling you that Jesus is Lord is a shady character, it doesn't change whether or not Jesus is Lord.

2) Of course, the fact that truth is truth doesn't liberate us from any obligation to actually live in accordance with what we profess to believe. Hypocrisy is egregious sin, especially with respect to our faith, and precisely because so many are disillusioned because of it. If you don't live what you preach, you've just stolen all of your own thunder. Why would somebody believe what you say if you don't act like you believe it yourself?

I think that a recent (trite?) example of hypocrisy can be found in Al Gore & Co., Live Earth to wit:

**Each member of Dave Matthews Band has his own bus on tour. Okay, so +5 points for using bio-diesel, -100 points for using four busses more than necessary. How many tons of CO2 were unleashed to produce those extra busses, anyway?

**Al Gore's personal energy bill was 20 times the national average. Come again?

**Any of these celebrities live in a modest home? Driving a Prius doesn't negate the eco-cost of owning a 20,000 sq. ft. estate, you know.

I believe that Gore's eco-movement (sorry to keep putting "eco-" in front of everything) is good stuff. Our planet is in dire need of better stewardship. Christians should lead the charge, too (c.f., Gen. 2:15). However, the Live Earth folks hurt their own campaign when they won't live the life they're selling. For me this reinforces the foundational importance of walking my talk. Praise be, I have God's help, without which I'm sure my life would have all the evangelistic efficacy of a Jack Nicholson smoke-out campaign.

Rock stars...is there anything they don't know?

Live Earth? Did anybody watch this? My complaints, now weeks away from being anything close to a propos, follow. I'd like to join in with the other critics who have lampooned the high-rolling rock stars and celebrities for advocating eco-friendly lifestyle, but first, the music:

1) The Beastie Boys: You know, I'm a big fan, but will somebody please keep these men away from instruments? Man alive! Their live version of "Sabotage" ought to have been subject to the same. I don't care how much energy you pour into a song, timing is timing, you know?

2) Foo Fighters: Wicked. Awesome. Ditto for John Mayer. However, Dave Grohl's hair is getting a bit out of control for me these days. Just pull it back in a pony tail, for crying out loud.

3) Roger Waters: There was a time in my life (ca. 7th grade) when "The Wall" nearly melted from overuse in my CD player. The performance of "Another Brick in the Wall Part II" was well done (kudos to the lead guitar player for filling David Gilmour's BIG shoes).

4) The Police: This is what kept me up until 11 that night, and the network did well to bait me at every commercial break: "Coming up...the Police." All for one song? And what's up with Kanye West's guest appearance? What was going on in that meeting? Perhaps I'm too much of a purist, but that was all bad. Ever since Sting let Sean Combs steal "Every Breath You Take," I've seriously questioned his discretion in such matters. Balancing out West was John Mayer on rhythm guitar. Again: Wicked. Awesome.

5) Crowded House: You can tell that Neil Finn is having some trouble hitting the high notes in "Don't Dream It's Over," (red flag: whenever an artist holds the mic up to the crowd to sing in his/her stead). CH is still worth watching.