Five reasons to stop talking about Myley Cyrus

I almost hate to mention her name again, because that’s exactly what she and her agent want. However, I think I have to – just this once (unless, of course she undergoes a miraculous conversion, in which case I’ll definitely mention her again).

You know who I’m talking about – Miley Cyrus. The…uh…performer apparently did a shocking and lewd number on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. It was so lewd, in fact, that it was over the top even for famed shocker, Lady Gaga. Since then, the Internet has been inundated with video clips, news articles. columns, and blog posts either touting or scolding the 20-year-old singer and actress who once charmed audiences with her portrayal of the character, Hanna Montana, for Disney.

Of course, an outrageous spectacle such as Ms. Cyrus’ at the VMA is bound to make the headlines (and web video channels). It is, well, a curiosity of sorts. But curiosity can lead to temptation when it involves vile actions and vocabulary geared to entice concupiscence. Thanks to Ms. Cyrus, I now know what twerking is…ew… What began as a shocker has turned trend. Now it’s time to lay the trend aside for five good reasons.

1. The Cyrus Family Already back in 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus expressed concern for his daughter’s spiritual state and his conviction that Satan was attacking his family in an interview with The Hollywood Gossip. He raised his daughter in the Southern Baptist Church and worked hard to make God the center of her life.   Keeping the hub-bub going about his daughter’s antics can only further hurt her father and the rest of the Cyrus Family.

Catholic columnistKathy Schiffer wrote about Billy Ray’s heartache over Myley in her recent column.

2. It encourages more lewdity Performers perform to gain attention (most for wholesome reasons; sadly some not). Giving Ms. Cyrus the attention she desperately seeks for such obscene behavior only encourages her to do more. Since acts grow old fast, she’ll just keep trying to out-do herself on stage. What’s more, her competition will do the same when they see how much attention Ms. Cyrus is getting. I don’t even want to think about what might be next after this.

3. It’s not good for us Our hearts take in all that we see and hear. Once it’s in there, it stays forever. Every time we watch or read about acts such as Ms. Cyrus’, it imprints again that image on our heart and soul. Our Lord instructed us to practice temperance so as not to be tempted to sin. “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” he told his disciples. (Mt 5:28). This applies to all human beings -if we look lustfully at, or think lustfully about another, we’ve already committed a sin against impurity in our hearts.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:

The heart is the seat of moral personality: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication. . . . ” The struggle against carnal covetousness entails purifying the heart and practicing temperance: Remain simple and innocent, and you will be like little children who do not know the evil that destroys man’s life.

St. Augustine writes about concupiscence as the mother of all sin (Book1, Chapter 27).

4. We have to set an example for the next generation If we’re infatuated with Ms. Cyrus’ performance, our kids and the other young people in our lives will be, too.

Slate Magazine has a terrific article on children imitating their parents’ behavior and values. 

5. We’ve got better things to do There are so many critical, inspiring, and instructional things to do, read, and talk about that are far more edifying for heart, mind and soul. Do we really even have the time to dwell on Myley Cyrus any longer?