Did you know that Val Kilmer is a speaker for Christian Science?
No?
Me neither.
But as I was surfing the channels on Sunday I passed through Access 31, our local “public access” channel, on my way back to the ABC from SBS and a familiar face registered just as I flicked on to the next channel. It had to be a mistake, I thought, there’s no way that was him. So back I flicked to the Bible thumping sessions that are Access 31 of a Sunday morning and lo-and-behold, there’s Val “Don’t call me Iceman” Kilmer reading passages from the Bible and linking them to some text called “Science and Health” which a quick search on amazon.com has revealed to be a text by a Christian Science.
I was mesmerised.
It was like finding Ozzy Osbourne doing a promo for… I don’t know… PETA or an anti-drugs/alcohol programme.
The thing that really weirded me out was that he was just going back and forth between the two texts, like the one explained the other and there was no need for any other discussion. Such blind acceptance just freaks me out. But then what do I know about the guy beyond the tripe that the tabloid press feeds us?
I’m still spun by it.
It was like this black hole… I kept flicking back to it. I was waiting for him to jump up and yell “SURPRISE!! Gotcha!” I don’t know why. It isn’t like I don’t think he is entitled to have a religious belief system, I just wasn’t expecting it. And he read in such a soft and gentle manner… For a few minutes I wondered if maybe I hadn’t dropped through a tear in the fabric of the universe into some alternate existence.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
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5 comments:
I too accidentally happened upon Val reading these two texts. I too was completely mesmerized. I don't know why. It was very strange. I actually recorded it so my husband could see it because I didn't think he would believe me. Bizzaro-world!!!
One more thing...as soon as I saw it, I went straight to the internet and came upon this blog. I wanted to make sure it was Val and not someone who just looked like him.
Why does it matter? A better way to think about it might be that before speaking/posting something maybe one should ask themselves three questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If you can't answer "yes" to two out of the three questions . . . maybe just maybe it shouldn't be said . . .?
Even the Dalai Lama said something to the effect of that whether we believe in God or Karma that it's a sad day when we don't recognize the ethical and moral principles that serve as our human foundation.
Interestingly enough as a reader of Christian Science it is a relief to listen to the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's interpreation of its spiritual meaning and have it divorced from politics, opinion, and the goings-on of today. Bible stories are told in parables with spiritual not literal meanings.
Again . . . is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Wow - I finally get a troll and it's a self-righteous one!
*sigh*
Excuse me, Anonymous #3 but did you even read my post before going off on your comment?
You lack even the strength of purpose or courage to have a name added to your comment and you're going to preach to me about whether or not I'm entitled to express my opinion or reaction to something?
This is a simple personal blog, Anonymous dear, I'm not seeking to belittle your faith, just expressing my surprise at finding Val Kilmer expounding Christian Science. Perhaps my comparison was harsh, perhaps you are offended that I question the blind acceptance that one text justifies another - truth be told... I don't much care.
Is it true - ummm, yes - this post was my true thoughts and reactiosn to something that I truly saw on tv.
Is it kind - perhaps not all bunnies and puppies and Mother Teresa kind but it ain't exactly vitriol and venom, so I'm going with yes on that too.
Is it necessary - it's the fricking internet, bright spark, exactly how much of what's out here could truly be considered necessary to the entire world? As far as it goes, well, it was necessary to me at the time to write so I'm going to go with a yes on that one too.
And just out of curiosity - how can something that is someone's INTERPRETATION be divorced from OPINION??? By it's very nature it IS an opinion!
Anyway - thank you for visiting, your trollship is appreciated, come back anytime.
I think I'm a year off on this post, but I was surprised too. I knew of a couple of other celebs that were cs members (Robert Duvall comes to mind - kinda fits), but somehow Kilmer doesn't seem to fit the part. On the other hand, when a guy's famous for acting, is it really surprising when their public persona doesn't entirely fit the reality?
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