To Be Seen and Heard #1

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

In a world of mass communication, everyone aims to be seen and/or heard by as many as possible—even at the risk of appearing or sounding foolish. For example, a “journalist” once asked a government official why a certain disease was especially affecting older people. Of course, the “reporter,” at least 50 years of age, had to have known that the immune system gradually weakens as someone advances in years. To pose such a question just revealed his ignorance. What he did was contribute nothing meaningful or substantial. It was merely to look or sound important at a press conference… but had the opposite effect.

Social media (personal internet platforms or websites) during the last two decades has been both a blessing and a curse, with advantages and disadvantages. Once, a “grace pastor” with whom I was acquainted drifted off into teaching some strange and rather heretical doctrines. His unusual beliefs and practices were beginning to affect others I knew. Upon being asked why he was promoting such nonsense, his reply was, essentially: “Well, if So-and-So has a following, and if He-or-She has a following, I will gain a following too.” Private interpretations create denominations—and he was willing to do it for sake of “fame.”

The internet is a treasure trove of both wisdom and ignorance. We can find valuable resources covering a wide range of topics, to broaden our understanding. Moreover, the world wide web is also a repository to hear or see publicity stunts. From the child throwing a temper tantrum to an adult’s outrageous behavior in popular (“viral”) videos, someone wants to make sure someone else notices them. This publicity strokes their ego; it makes them feel important or superior to others. Such “drama queens” engage in exaggerated conduct, posting any and every thought that comes to mind, uploading photo after photo after photo of self, touching on whatever controversial topic happens to be trending.

Let us be honest. It is human nature to strive to be at the center of attention. That is one of the effects of sin….