Pop Culture Icons

I've noticed that the term "Pop culture", despite whatever it's proper definition may be, is used by a lot of us to refer to popular features of modern life when we want to be skeptical. It's, of course, massively different from the term "popular culture". They're nowhere near the same thing, of course. Popular culture is an official term, important enough to warrant it's own coveted place as the last section of nearly every Wikipedia page.

Anyway, "pop culture"- the easily recognised figures, the cultural in-jokes, the memes etc. is obviously dominated by "pop culture icons". But the majority of these icons, through becoming hugely easily recognisable, lose a their original significance. They're lost beneath mockery and Simpsons and Family Guy cameos. Let me give some examples:

1. Elvis Presley
It's Elvis season on the BBC at the moment and The King was actually what got me thinking about this. He's the most impersonated man in history. He's probaly been lampooned in nearly every major American TV show in the past 30 years. We remember the "uh-huh!", the glittery suits, the impersonators, Vegas. However. My generation, just doesn't appreciate what an incredible artist Elvis was! What he did with his voice was true art, true rock'n'roll. He performed some incredible tracks. There's also a hefty amount of crap in his back catalogue, but that doesn't negate his brilliance. And nor should the glittery pop-culture steretype.

2. Chuck Norris
This man is the internet. He probably accounts for a good 78% of jokes told in the past 7 years. And yet masses of people who indulge in the Chuck Norris meme haven't the foggiest who he is! The man made some awesome kung-fu and action movies! He taught Bruce Lee how to kick properly! Also, he's a Christian!
Here's some of his awesomeness:

Chuck takes down a car with his feet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f67LgpJBPPE

Chuck takes on Bruce Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLO1YIWQuXE

3. Jesus
It was inevitable that I'd get here really. We can all recall Jesus appearing in Family Guy. Or he's a nodding plastic car toy. Or a slightly subversive option for a Christmas fancy dress party. Or the harmless baby in the manger, appearing less and less amongst all the Christmas propoganda. He's become a character who can be written into any TV programme as easily as anyone else, taken down from a stock of fictional characters.

Well he's so much more than that.
He's the Son of God and God incarnate.
He's the through whom the universe was made.
He's the one who left the glory of Heaven and died on a cross, beaten, alone and judged so that you might not be punished yourself for your sins, but that you might live in Heaven with God for all eternity.
Don't lose Elvis and Chuck in the seas of popular culture. But more importantly, definitely don't lose Jesus.