Opinion: A look into what it is to be religious and whether or not being a super fan of a celebrity is the same thing
———-
Many people have a favorite celebrity. Some people label themselves as supporters or followers of certain artists. There are even some fans whose lives revolve around a specific celebrity or group. This dedication can sometimes be viewed as extreme from outside sources.
A perfect example of this religious dedication to artists would be Deadhead culture. “Deadhead” was the label assigned to the dedicated fans of the Grateful Dead who followed the band around and went to any show they could.
These people lived and socialized within a group of like-minded companions. Even if their personal beliefs differed, they all had one central similarity: they believed the Grateful Dead was the best band on the scene and dedicated their time and money to following the band.
Essentially, a group of people with one centralized belief that gives them a sense of community and acceptance.That seems reminiscent of something else, doesn’t it?
To me, the Deadhead movement has connotations of a religion. In fact, when I googled the “perks of church,” the first words on the screen were “feel connected, supported and understood.” Which is what it seems Deadheads have found within each other.
The philosopher Emile Durkheim said “religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.” So, with that logic, being a Deadhead would operate as a religion with the music being the sacred aspect.
While Deadhead might be the most extreme example of this, many present-day examples exhibit similar tendencies.
An example would also be Swifties. Swifties, or Taylor Swift’s most devoted fans, have been described as one of the largest and most devoted fan bases on the scene today.
Many people describe Swift’s fan base as a sacred place based on the fact that she actually does reward her most loyal followers.
This comes in many forms, from responses on social media, to album listening parties before the release date and early movie screenings with meet-and-greets. By doing this, Swift is not only enticing other fans to interact with her music more, but she is also rewarding those who are dedicated to her.
This isn’t the only way in which religion is integrated into Swift’s music. Many Swifties do not align with the herd mentality but do align with the sacred nature of her songs.
Maddie Anderson, a junior at UO and a self-proclaimed Swiftie, said that it isn’t the sense of community that makes her a fan of Taylor Swift, but instead it is the relatability of her music and how it makes her feel. She feels that her songs are “relatable in a way that other music isn’t.”
I would like to point out that the point of this article is not to vilify religion or celebrities in any way. The point is to highlight this similarity and question what that says about humans and humanity.
But what does this say about society?
It says a lot, but the main point it argues to me is that religion isn’t what I initially thought it was. There is a difference between organized religion and religious expression.
Durkheim argued that religion can be anything that is viewed as sacred. Initially, I wasn’t sure what that meant, but now I see it. Religion isn’t always about a God, nor a Heaven and Hell.
Sometimes, it’s just about the things that make us feel the most seen and understood.
And that really can be anything. Including celebrities and the art they create.