Priest prefers Elvis Presley impersonation: fun is a god

The elements of entertainment are found everywhere, the clergy no exception. But we all knew that. Clouds of incense, singing, crazy costumes: the church knows its theatrics. So the most notable element of the story about "Elvis Priestley," a.k.a. Andy Kelso, leaving the holy ranks to impersonate the King is one word in relation to connecting people with God:

"My whole desire is to build bridges with people and Elvis. I see it as a form of reaching out to people, using the King of Rock to introduce people to Jesus, hopefully in a way that will be fun.”

Fun. If you haven't noticed, if you want to get anything done in the modern world, it needs to be fun. There are two ways to think about this. One is that it's a great step forward for humanity's mental flexibility; some smartsters among us have recognized the power of disguising vegetables as sweets, which I suppose is inevitable given the massive influence of marketing and advertising nowadays. Another take is that we have developed into a society of perpetual children who can't get anything done unless it involves a sparkly phantasmagoria that is bouncy and makes neato noise and stuff. And that we forget the important, underlying message in our distraction with the fun-fun-really-fun thingy things.

But this isn't that complex. Right? This vicar found Elvis's story and music to be an inspiration for spiritual wanderers. People responded enthusiastically when he rose as Elvis Priestley. And I guess if you believe God is telling you to "take Elvis to the church," there isn't much else to do.

How religious was Elvis Presley?

Thomas Melin of the Elvis Today blog posted a transcript (part one and two) of an interview he did with Per-Erik “Pete” Hallin, a Swedish musician who played with the King in 1973 and 1974. One of the questions that Elvis Today asks is, "How religious was Elvis, in your opinion?" Here is Per-Erik's answer:

It's a very difficult question. And I tend to generally hesitate to say how religious a person is, that I know or have known, whoever it might be. But I can say with certainty that he had faith in God, no doubt, and that these songs corresponded to a very deep longing that he had. But I also believe that he longed for making it even more consumate in some way, and more fully than it was. In some way, he was imprisoned in his own success. It was not easy being Elvis, so to speak.

Elvis Today also asked, "What relationship did Elvis have to gospel music?" Per-Erik's response:

I think I can say without hesitation that gospel was simply the type of music he liked the most. And I think that if anyone of those who knew him well, and perhaps better than I did, would sit next to me, they would nod and agree and say, “yes that's the way it was.” And it has been said many times and I myself have experienced it.

Does success prevent people from being fully religious? Don't know. Per-Erik implies it. Maybe it's all the distractions, the possibilities. It might be easier to give your life to God if your life doesn't offer too many choices. Anyway, here is Per-Erik grooving on the piano and singing: