Michael Jackson's upbringing in the Jehovah's Witness faith and his dedication to the religion, MTV's impact on the music industry and Michael's strategic collaborations, the release of 'Billie Jean' and its impact on the Thriller album, Michael Jackson's journey with Jehovah's Witnesses and the conflict with his art, the making and controversy of the 'Thriller' music video, and the power of memory in the criminal justice system.
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Quick takeaways
Michael Jackson's fame and artistic ambitions collided with the strict teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses, leading to his disenchantment with the faith.
Michael Jackson's groundbreaking music videos on MTV revolutionized the industry, inspiring other artists to think more ambitiously about creativity and storytelling.
The tension between Michael Jackson's desire for artistic expression and the moral guidelines of the Jehovah's Witnesses ultimately led to his disassociation from the faith, allowing him to pursue his art more freely.
Deep dives
Michael Jackson's Journey as a Jehovah's Witness
Michael Jackson's association with the Jehovah's Witnesses began in his childhood when his mother, Catherine, joined the faith. Michael actively participated as a Jehovah's Witness by going door to door evangelizing with a fellow Witness named Christian Volk. However, as Michael's fame grew, tensions arose between his artistic ambitions and the strict teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Track Society. Michael faced scrutiny when he released music videos like 'Thriller' and 'Smooth Criminal,' which were viewed by some members of the Jehovah's Witnesses as endorsing the occult. Despite efforts to disassociate himself from these controversial videos, the Watchtower organization continued to monitor him closely, ultimately leading to Michael's disillusionment with the faith and his decision to disassociate himself from the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Michael's Impact on MTV and Music Video Evolution
Michael Jackson's music videos, especially 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It,' ushered in a new era in the music industry and on MTV. With the emergence of MTV as a platform for music videos, Michael's groundbreaking visuals and dance moves raised the bar for artists in terms of creativity and production value. The success of 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It' led to a surge in album sales for 'Thriller,' making Michael Jackson a cultural icon. However, his success on MTV wasn't without controversy, as the network initially resisted promoting black artists. Michael's influence extended beyond his own videos, inspiring other musicians to think more ambitiously about storytelling and creativity in their own music videos.
The Clash Between Michael's Art and Jehovah's Witness Doctrine
The clash between Michael Jackson's artistic ambitions and the strict doctrine of the Jehovah's Witnesses created tension throughout his career. The Watchtower organization disapproved of Michael's music videos, particularly 'Thriller,' due to their perceived promotion of the occult. Michael's desire to express himself as an artist often conflicted with the Jehovah's Witness teachings on morality and popular culture. This conflict ultimately led to Michael disassociating himself from the faith, as he struggled to reconcile his personal beliefs with his desire to create art that pushed boundaries and entertained millions of fans worldwide.
The Influence of Michael's Religion on his Personal and Professional Life
Michael Jackson's strong attachment to his Jehovah's Witness upbringing had a profound impact on his personal and professional life. As an active Jehovah's Witness, Michael refrained from behaviors like smoking, drinking, and swearing. He was devoted to his faith and shared his beliefs with others by going door to door to spread the word. However, his fame and artistic pursuits often conflicted with the strict guidelines of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Michael faced constant scrutiny from both the public and the church, ultimately leading to his decision to distance himself from the faith and seek a different path in his spiritual journey.
The Disillusionment and Departure from the Jehovah's Witnesses
After years of being closely monitored by the Jehovah's Witness elders and facing conflicts between his artistic vision and religious beliefs, Michael Jackson decided to disassociate himself from the faith. Disfellowshipping members for noncompliance with church teachings is a serious consequence within the Jehovah's Witness community. Michael's departure meant severing ties with a community he had been a part of since childhood and likely facing shunning from members who considered him an apostate. However, this move also freed him from the constraints imposed by the church, allowing him to pursue his artistic expression more independently.
Michael Jackson climbs to new heights with the success of his Thriller album and the groundbreaking music videos that follow. But he finds that his fame and faith are on a collision course, and he's forced to make a choice.
Think Twice: Michael Jackson was produced by Dustin DeSoto, Benjamin Frisch, Kim Gittleson, Danielle Hewitt, Sam Lee, Leon Neyfakh, Andrew Parsons, and Jay Smooth, and edited by Diane Hodson. The lead producer for this episode was Dustin DeSoto.
