American culture is often greatly dictated by celebrity trends and fads. Leather jackets, nautical inspired prints and high waisted pants are examples of styles popularized by the various actresses or singers that don such clothing. Celebrity influence is very substantial to our population, but usually that influence extends merely to fashion, lifestyle, cars, other material objects and sometimes charities. Rarely before the previous decade have we seen celebrities advocate issues like religion in the public eye. The production of Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ sparked increasing demonstration of religious support. For example, celebrities like Madonna have been spotted wearing t-shirts that read slogans such as “Jesus is my homeboy” or “Mary is my home girl”.
Other stars seen wearing similar shirts from the company Teenage Millionaire include Ashton Kutcher, Pamela Anderson and Lara Flynn Boyle.
Religious iconic figures like Jesus, instead of becoming popularized through increased following, are more of a fashion statement than a genuine symbol for faith in Christianity. Indicative of the fashion trend is the fact that Madonna is a known believer of Kabbalah, a religion that doesn’t focus on the belief of Jesus Christ but instead on an ambiguous “Creator”. The same can be said about other celebrities, like Ashton Kutcher and Pamela Anderson, who are not known to have especially strong beliefs in the Christian faith. The statement “Jesus is my homeboy” hardly indicates the respect and worship of the figure Jesus plays in Christianity. A “homeboy” insinuates a human as being on the same level as Jesus, which conflicts with Christianity in that Jesus is often addressed as Lord, a much more superior and higher being. The makers behind the famously worn Jesus shirts, Teenage Millionaire, in fact stated that the basis for the shirts came about while, “look[ing] at the popular icons of the 20th century” and noting that “Jesus definitely topped the list.” (Chris Hoy, company partner). Essentially, the “Jesus is my homeboy” shirts were a profit driven endeavor; an idea for merchandise they hoped would bring in revenue. “It’s everywhere. It’s at all the stores,” says Craig Gross, the founder of a Christian anti-pornography website.
“This is the latest thing. A lot of people are wearing them not because they want to display their relationship with God, but because it’s the cool thing to do,” he comments. Gross hits the bull eye as the followers of the religious t-shirt trend are on account of celebrity exposure.
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