There were a lot of people freaking out about the performance Miley Cyrus gave at VMAs on Sunday night. It seemed many were outraged regardless of their moral compass. Most thought her performance was not just poorly executed, but vulgar and gross. I certainly was not a fan of Miley’s efforts the other night. But I found the outrage interesting.
As I sat in my living room on Sunday night at 11:30, I began to reflect on all the social media buzz surrounding good ol’ Hannah Montana. I had many thoughts. Some specifically about her. I felt bummed that she had such a unique childhood that very few could relate to and know what to do with. I felt bad that she was trying so hard to leave this image that was not a bad thing and actually helped shaped young girls in the right direction. I wondered about her parents and what they thought. There were other thoughts.
But here was the big thought: Why are so many outraged? We live in a culture that has decided to sexualize everything. Morals have become completely relative. We do let young girls dress how ever they want. We post pictures of scantily dressed girls all across social media every day. Every club and bar is full of college girls who dance exactly the way she did. I found myself in some ways more frustrated with our culture than Miley. We are giant hypocrites. You can’t, but I can. I will, but no one will know because it is not on MTV. That is wrong, but you can not tell me I am wrong. Be as sexual as you want, but not that sexual.
It drove me to a interesting line of questions – What standard do you personally use to score the moral content of something? What makes your standard right?
It seems almost everyone holds to right and wrong. It also seems that for most that standard is some cornucopia collection of thoughts from grandma, your fraternity, church, the latest best-seller, a freshman philosophy prof, your girlfriend and your own thoughts. And let’s be honest, that standard will not hold weight if you are intellectually honest. And, if you get to create that standard, so does Miley.
A Pastor's Thoughts 
While I see your point about our indiscretions staying private while hers plays out on a public stage, I also have to acknowledge – that is the price of fame. When you accept all the glory and rewards, you accept all the consequences that go with it, and one of those is an awareness that your behavior is really no longer your own. In a sense, as an entertainer, you have been “bought” and those who have “bought” into Miley Cyrus feel entitled to comment. I am not saying it is right…after all, you gave a beautiful speech about labels and just who bought us, but…it is what it is. Many feel they bought into a wholesome role model for young girls and have been bait and switched. I think, more than outrage, is a disappointment that someone who had such potential, such promise, to lead in a positive way, has chosen to do otherwise. Disappointment that someone many of our daughters looked up to has fallen so far with no one to advise her better, or to protect her. She is no longer the child she was; she is old enough to know better; she has traveled the world and knows how much light this world needs. She could have been, could still be, one of those lights and use this incredible platform she has been given to effect positive change. I think people honestly just wish she had a higher regard for herself…I think people are actually less outraged and more heartbroken for another little girl lost.
Sorry, Keith…did not mean to leave that anonymous…oops. ~ Dawn Naylor