Yea, I mean it's a rather sweeping statement to say that someone who doesn't idolize a king is going to idolize the likes of celebrities and prostitutes.
I doubt if Lewis, a Christian theologian, would have advocated idolatry of any kind. What he said was not 'idolize', but 'honor'. And if you don't think that people who don't honor kings are going to honor celebrities and prostitutes, well, just look around. That's pretty much whom American culture
does honor.
I believe all humans are equal
With respect, I simply don't think that's the case. Some men are smart, some men are stupid. Some women are pretty, some women are plain. Some people are rich, some people are poor. Some people are honest, some people are crooks. The list goes on. I can think of very few respects in which 'all humans are equal'.
If they're all equal, how can they also be exceptional? I am reminded of the movie 'The Incredibles', where Helen is taking her son Dash home from school.
Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of! Our powers were what made us special!
Helen: :sigh: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: Which is another way of saying no one is.
I think the kid's on to something.
Some may be on a less than desired path but that doesn't make them lesser than anyone else.
I'm not sure what you mean. In what sense might a person be 'lesser than someone else'?
No amount of wealth or fame makes any person worth idolizing.
True. But certain characteristics might make him worth honoring.
I don't think most kings want to be honored. Maybe some started out that way but it always ends in wanting to be idolized.
Let me try to understand your view better.
1) Where do you draw the line between honor and idolization?
2) Why do you think most kings seek the latter?
I don't think anyone who gains fame or fortune is above falling to egoity.
Probably not, but if anyone can be, it's a king. A king did nothing to earn his position and he knows it. This leaves some room for humility which is lacking with a merely rich person who won his own station in life, and completely absent with politicians, who are incredibly egotistical people, as a rule.
I can certainly respect and appreciate that you believe part of people's purpose to existence is worshipping God. I just don't believe humans should put another human on that level.
I certainly wouldn't want to put any man on God's level, except of course the Man Who is God.
Even if that isn't the people's intent upon placing a crown on his head, he'll end up thinking he is one.
I think a king, on account of not having earned his position and being raised all his life to believe in his sacred duty to his country and take it very seriously, is probably the least likely of any leader to think he is a god. Compare with politicians(arrogant, egotistical types who seek power over others, the lot of them).