At 99 out of every 100 shows I do, while meeting audience members in the lobby afterwards, I get asked that question…
“So…what do you think about Criss Angel?”
It’s funny to me, because I know that people are really asking me: “Is he of the devil?” So instead of replying right away, I usually just ask, “What do you mean, what do I think? What about him?” Then usually comes the admission that they believe he’s possessed, or demonic, or in cahoots with Satan.
First of all, No! I mean, c’mon…would that give him the ability to walk through glass windows and make coins go through soda cans? Do demons like to be on TV, and therefore always manifest their presence at the perfect time when the camera guy rolls tape? And better yet, even if he were in link with demons, would that really give him the ability to levitate? Sorry, but not a chance. That may not make sense to you with a limited perspective on how magic tricks work, but trust me, Criss Angel is not “real.”
Well, he’s a real person of course, which explains most of how I feel about him. What do I think about Criss Angel? Well, since everyone has been asking…
I think that like all of us, he desperately wants to be valued. It’s common opinion that when watching his show, “Mindfreak,” it’s clearly translated on camera that he most definitely likes himself. Some people will do anything for the power of celebrity. And let’s face it: If your team is creating forum topics and surveys on your website titled, “How obsessed with Criss are you?”, or “Would you die for Criss?,” or even “What would you do if Criss Angel kissed you?”, it’s not only creepy, but screams, “Hey, I like myself. A lot.”
I respect Criss Angel for his desire to be a great performing artist, and believe that he really does want to perform art with excellence. And he has an incredible team around him. It’s the best creative team that money can buy, and they create some brilliant illusions for him and his show. But at the end of the day, unlike David Blaine, his over-confidence will get in the way of his longevity. Ed McMahon said not long before he died, “The greatest asset missing in the lives of today’s celebrities, entertainers, and performers is class.” Class is often identified in those with professionalism, and humility. And as Malcolm Gladwell said during his speech at Catalyst this past year, “Incompetence annoys me. Over-confidence scares me.”
I have learned by watching Criss’ career. Mainly that just because you think you’re ready for something, it doesn’t mean you actually are. Criss got a deal with Cirque du Soleil, but he wasn’t ready for it, and as a result, his show got ripped to shreads by critics and audiences alike. (It might have had a little to do with his love of performing shows with no shirt on.)
Sometimes I envy the opportunities offered to others, but the reality is, I have a lot of work to do and I’m just not ready for them all.
So is Criss a little arrogant? Likely. I can’t say for sure because I don’t know the guy, and frankly, it’s probably not my place to judge. But if he isn’t, it sure is the image they’re painting on TV. And if that’s not what they’re going for, a few less publicity photos without a shirt on might help a little in pursuing a different image.
It’s amazing the things we do as human beings for attention, all because of either pride or insecurity, when at the end of the day we just want to be accepted. Thank goodness there’s a God who is willing to accept us just as we are, and that his love was unconditional…even for Criss Angel and guys like me.
Is Criss the devil? No. Does he try to blur the line between illusion and reality? Absolutely. Should you let your kids watch him? That’s up to you, but if you do, at least have a conversation about how he isn’t the devil. Or a god.
Obviously, I’d rather you just bring them to our show instead. I keep my shirt on the whole time, and we also get positive reviews.
What do you think about Criss Angel?
Tags: bj harris, catalyst conference, Christian Illusionist, criss angel, david blaine, ed mcmahon, Harris, Illusion, illusionist, malcolm gladwell, mind freak, mindfreak
Honestly I just look at Criss as a performer. I do agree that he has a ego issue but a worldly performer has a worldly arrogance. His performances are a show of his skill but I wouldn’t say over all talent. Talent is a power of mind or body considered as given to a person for use and improvement (Matt. 25:14–30). What he tries to improve is himself and his skill. What true improvement is the ability to take your God given talent and allow him to use it for his Glory. When I see a humble performer with great skill that is using his/her abilities to impact a world for Christ. That is when I see “talent”.
Thanks BJ for be humble and moldable for God’s use.
Jamie Hughes
Criss Angel is of the devil. He has purposefully associated himself with Satan.
Read this: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/criss_angel.htm
Wow. Is this a joke? I don’t even know where to start in response to that one! Is “www.Jesus-is-savior.com” your website?
bj. dude. great article, well written and well balanced. the bottom line is: your guys’ stuff is stellar! i’ve seen you twice now, and, always good stuff.
blessings.
Well said! Sites like the one linked above scare me. Could you imagine what would happen if that guy would put that much time and energy into promoting the gospel. I would kill to do events for people with that much time to make them excellent. I have to believe that if Jesus had a website, it would look better than that!
It’s a real shame that the church is not spending the time and resources to do thing on the level that Criss is.
Thanks for keeping your shirt on too. It adds to the “mystery”…hmm
Loved the article and having personally seen your show and a few other illusionists, you’re definitely in the runnings with angel as having awesome tricks. Appreciate your post, appreciate your honesty, and appreciate the willingness to let us, your fans, in on a question we have all wanted to ask you. P.S. thanks for keeping your shirt on and not yelling obnoxiously at me with anarchist “a’s” floating around all over your set.
Charlotte sends love,
Mat
Maybe you should start taking your shirt off too… Now that you have that incredible new tattoo on your back!
Very well written my friend, I also went to the link that David posted and it saddens me to see how so many Christians have been blinded to the truth that is truly Christ. I wish that people could see the authority that they have in Christ and not think that it was merely for Biblical times. Its as if people forget the scriptures and what they say. Or in this case misinterpret them.
Brian – Allow me to formally thank you for publicly leaking on my official website that I have tattoos. Now I’m going to get another whole slew of controversy and judgement.
Ya know…you’d make a great publicist!
Thanks to everyone for their comments!
Thanks for posting this… I started ‘researching’ Criss one night several months ago and found several opposing articles… one says he’s a Christian, one says he’s a devil-worshipper…. I dunno…
We’ll have y’all back in Hazel Green anytime!! 
He does have some cool trick-age up his sleeves, but he ain’t got nuttin’ on you and Ms Katie!
Firstly, Criss has mentioned his Faith in God on numerous occasions. His mother has done the same. Granted, having faith, and being a Christian are two separate things, however, we can rest in knowing that he is at least aware of God and His presence in his life. After all, I’m sure Harris III will agree with me that many of Criss’s stunts, regardless of how planned they are, and regardless of how well rigged they may be, still involve a level of danger that most humans refuse to reach. Furthermore, as Harris III also mentioned, it’s not our place to judge – leave that to God. We can form conclusions based on one’s actions and words, but at the end of the day, it’s one’s heart that God looks at. Thanks for the post Harris III. Keep doing your thing and don’t let anyone or anything stop you.
I like what you said. I have also been asked about criss angel at every show I do. People are shocked when I say he is not into supernatural powers. I think that it is just ignorance of people that leads them to believe he is a devil. And I say that with respect. Even If he worshipped the devil every day he would not need special powers to do what we see on tv oR at his live show. Hey, if it was supernatural powers given by the devil or some unknown source then he wouldn’t screw up a trick and expose the real workings. Duh, right???
Great post. And keep up the good work you are doing.
Brock
With enough perseverance, you can make people believe anything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pCpeBs6oyQ
[...] long after I first launched this blog, I shared my honest opinion about Criss Angel. People always ask me what I think about him, so I told them. Since then, I’ve shared more [...]