Elvis Religion
Religion All Shook Up People invision Elvis as many things; musician, rock idol, and sex symbol. There is another facet to Elvis some may not grasp. This facet is the idea that Elvis is another type of faith or religion to his fans. Erika Doss in her book “Elvis Culture Fans, Faith, and Image” explained this strange aspect of Elvis culture from her point of view. Now Elvis as a religion, that may be a big jump even for Elvis Presley, even if he is said to be the King of rock-n-roll. Doss explores this idea with detailed insight. Through immersing herself into the world that is Elvis, she captures what might be a cult, however, to some is a belief that is a strong as any other doctrine. Doss validates her ideas via interviews and
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attending “pilgrimages”. It is also interesting to question whether there are dangers in this worship. As the chapter “Saint Elvis” begins, Doss introduces the reader to several of Elvis’ fans.
These admirers, to put it lightly, have created a myriad of shrines or altars to their Mr. Presley. The altars range from the small to engulfing whole rooms. One interviewee who has one such shrine, feels blessed to have a closeness to Elvis. She is almost in awe of living in Memphis so close to him. She tells Doss, “There is a distance between humans and God. That is why we are close to Elvis” (Doss, 70). She feels that the King is the bridge to God. This is akin to what Jesus is to Christians. Evidence of religious factors are seen also by fans in Elvis’ life story. His rags to riches tale, then his untimely death. If this descriptive given by much of his admirers doesn’t echo Jesus’ life and death, I don’t know what does. Ted Harrison, a religious affairs person, responds to the devotion and continued reference of Elvis as “nothing less than a religion in embryo” (Doss, 73). A few observers see this as successful selling of the Elvis image. For those Doss spoke to, they adamantly dismiss their Elvis homage as a religion. Quite a few of his fans can even get vehemently angered by the comparison of the love they have for the entertainer, to Jesus. Such a passion for one man truly could be disguised as a faith, a
religion. Another way Elvis’ fans profess their faithfulness to him is through pilgrimages to Memphis and Graceland. In August fans and curious onlookers come for one week to engage in events that are all the King. This Elvis Week, as it is called, coincides the anniversary of the singers death. As the author viewed this event she found that to his admirers, there is no better place to worship than Graceland. Worship being the key word in this description of events that are carried out in his hometown. Doss explains the experience the fans feel of Graceland; “as an especially hallowed place whose every surface is charged with the spirit of Elvis” (Doss, 86). Graceland is the holy land akin to Jerusalem or Bethlehem for Christians. Not all that attend this event view the home like this. There are visitors that include casual tourists and the media. According to the book, such people are an imposition and are not welcome to the diehard believers. It sounds like they are secretive, like some religions are; for example faith healers or even Scientology. The most intriguing aspect of the week long event or mission, is the ritual to Elvis’ grave site. The procession, which may last all night long, is “from the ceremonial ambience of midnight mass services at Christmas to the precisely timed vigils at the Shrine of St. Jude” (Doss, 95). Now, with the above considerations from the author, is there a concern that the piety to Elvis should worry anyone? In the reading, there was several references to the Elvis phenomenon as a cult. Statements such as, “I think God looked down on him and saw the unselfish heart and smiled on him, making him the ultimate king of all time” (Doss, 106), can give cause to believe a cult is in process of forming. The apprehension should come more from how the commercialism of Elvis has an effect on those who looking for spirituality from their love of the performer. The danger is making people feel they need to idiolize Elvis for what he was. Also consumerism sometimes forces his loyal flock to need more to respect his memory. Too many of his followers feel that desperate need to have something supernatural in their life. “Although I am not a religious person I am drawn to Elvis almost though he was a disciple of God”(Doss 108), one fan remarks. It is only type of faith she knows. On the other hand, it may give some a sense of community and spiritually they need. The final thought, is Elvis mania a religion or a cult? The past has shown that worship and devotion shows itself in numerous ways and popular culture may never have an answer to this question. One prevailing theme that Erika Doss gave the reader; fans are adamant in their love and caring for the King’s memory. His worship not only comes from a devout obsession for who he was, it comes from what people force it to be. Memphis and Graceland are not going to be the religious mecca that public relations wants it to be. Maybe Elvis is looking down over his people and laughing cause it’s just the way he wanted it; it is a mystery.
attending “pilgrimages”. It is also interesting to question whether there are dangers in this worship. As the chapter “Saint Elvis” begins, Doss introduces the reader to several of Elvis’ fans.
These admirers, to put it lightly, have created a myriad of shrines or altars to their Mr. Presley. The altars range from the small to engulfing whole rooms. One interviewee who has one such shrine, feels blessed to have a closeness to Elvis. She is almost in awe of living in Memphis so close to him. She tells Doss, “There is a distance between humans and God. That is why we are close to Elvis” (Doss, 70). She feels that the King is the bridge to God. This is akin to what Jesus is to Christians. Evidence of religious factors are seen also by fans in Elvis’ life story. His rags to riches tale, then his untimely death. If this descriptive given by much of his admirers doesn’t echo Jesus’ life and death, I don’t know what does. Ted Harrison, a religious affairs person, responds to the devotion and continued reference of Elvis as “nothing less than a religion in embryo” (Doss, 73). A few observers see this as successful selling of the Elvis image. For those Doss spoke to, they adamantly dismiss their Elvis homage as a religion. Quite a few of his fans can even get vehemently angered by the comparison of the love they have for the entertainer, to Jesus. Such a passion for one man truly could be disguised as a faith, a
religion. Another way Elvis’ fans profess their faithfulness to him is through pilgrimages to Memphis and Graceland. In August fans and curious onlookers come for one week to engage in events that are all the King. This Elvis Week, as it is called, coincides the anniversary of the singers death. As the author viewed this event she found that to his admirers, there is no better place to worship than Graceland. Worship being the key word in this description of events that are carried out in his hometown. Doss explains the experience the fans feel of Graceland; “as an especially hallowed place whose every surface is charged with the spirit of Elvis” (Doss, 86). Graceland is the holy land akin to Jerusalem or Bethlehem for Christians. Not all that attend this event view the home like this. There are visitors that include casual tourists and the media. According to the book, such people are an imposition and are not welcome to the diehard believers. It sounds like they are secretive, like some religions are; for example faith healers or even Scientology. The most intriguing aspect of the week long event or mission, is the ritual to Elvis’ grave site. The procession, which may last all night long, is “from the ceremonial ambience of midnight mass services at Christmas to the precisely timed vigils at the Shrine of St. Jude” (Doss, 95). Now, with the above considerations from the author, is there a concern that the piety to Elvis should worry anyone? In the reading, there was several references to the Elvis phenomenon as a cult. Statements such as, “I think God looked down on him and saw the unselfish heart and smiled on him, making him the ultimate king of all time” (Doss, 106), can give cause to believe a cult is in process of forming. The apprehension should come more from how the commercialism of Elvis has an effect on those who looking for spirituality from their love of the performer. The danger is making people feel they need to idiolize Elvis for what he was. Also consumerism sometimes forces his loyal flock to need more to respect his memory. Too many of his followers feel that desperate need to have something supernatural in their life. “Although I am not a religious person I am drawn to Elvis almost though he was a disciple of God”(Doss 108), one fan remarks. It is only type of faith she knows. On the other hand, it may give some a sense of community and spiritually they need. The final thought, is Elvis mania a religion or a cult? The past has shown that worship and devotion shows itself in numerous ways and popular culture may never have an answer to this question. One prevailing theme that Erika Doss gave the reader; fans are adamant in their love and caring for the King’s memory. His worship not only comes from a devout obsession for who he was, it comes from what people force it to be. Memphis and Graceland are not going to be the religious mecca that public relations wants it to be. Maybe Elvis is looking down over his people and laughing cause it’s just the way he wanted it; it is a mystery.