An examination of how the attitude to neighborliness in the lives of Jesus Christ and children’s TV host Mister Rogers can be a guide to living better.
Author Tracy Emerick (who states he has a doctorate but doesn’t mention the subject) continues his series of faith-based books that compare the life and teachings of contemporary figures to those of Jesus Christ. Earlier works include Consummate Coaches: Bill Belichick and Jesus Christ and Extreme Entrepreneurs: Steve Jobs and Jesus Christ. This new volume focuses on the beloved children’s television host Mr. Fred Rogers and his show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which ran from 1968 to 2001.
As Rogers was a minister himself in his time away from television, it’s no great stretch to find similarities and links between the teachings of Jesus Christ and the ethos of understanding that was used to build the hugely popular TV series. Rogers was a household name, and, like Sesame Street, his show’s message of equality became an important influence on generations of children. Emerick writes of Rogers and Christ, “both personalities provided us with the best concepts of good neighbors anchored on love, care, and compassion which brought influence on the lives of billions, and created a perfect, new direction for the current generation to follow.”
In an ideal world, the friendly neighborhood that Rogers and his show epitomized would be the norm; but Emerick acknowledges that contemporary society is far more fractured than that. He uses the book to ask the reader questions: “How can we become good neighbors to those who oppose our beliefs? How can we become friends with those that often disagree with our opinions?” In answer, and as a guide on how to become what he refers to as a “Nifty Neighbor,” Emerick references Christ’s teachings—focusing on a number of parables, including a very lengthy discussion of “The Good Samaritan.”
The material on Rogers is fairly basic, with much of the biographical detail lifted from MisterRogers.org, the host’s website. Another section rewrites somebody else’s article from ReadersDigest.com, and, though Emerick credits the original author, it seems a strange inclusion. Likewise, the extensive section on Bible statistics taken from another website adds little to the thesis of the book and seems unnecessary.
Some of Emerick’s ideas are thought-provoking. There is a strong section in which he examines the famous opening of Rogers’s show, where the host changes into his sweater and sneakers as a moment of symbolic transformation. He likens this to Jesus’ appearance as God in human, humble form. More often than not, though, Emerick’s astute insights are overrun by needless padding. It is as if what could have made a fascinating magazine article has been stretched until its focus has been lost.
NIFTY NEIGHBORS is an engaging, if somewhat unfocused, look at the similarities between TV host Fred Rogers and Jesus Christ. When on point, author Tracy Emerick offers interesting insights into the symbolism of the TV show and its parallels with Christian teachings. Too often, though, the book relies on second-hand material and unnecessary padding.
