Isn’t it interesting that whenever a person on television talks about the christian faith, it makes some people mad? It is just another reminder that Christianity is not welcome by many in our country.
American Idol has come under fire since its beginning. In 2005 Mandisa Hundley sang the song “Shackles”. This was the shows first gospel song. Her statement that “God is bigger than lifestyle” prompted a gay boycott. In 2007 contestants sang “Shout to the Lord”, dropping “Jesus” for “Shepherd”. After complaints, a second airing restored the original lyric. Again, in 2005, Carrie Underwood’s Grammy winning “Jesus Take the Wheel” became one of the best selling post Idol singles.
Millions of people watch Idol every week. What an awesome spot to declare Jesus to our country. Six of the eight top contestants have ties to Christian music. Four lead worship at their churches, including season winner last year, Kris Allen, and Bo Bice the former Hope Cumberland Presbyterian worship leader who came in second to Carrie Underwood.
I am thankful for music artists that take a stand in our culture today. Joanne Brokaw, who blogs on American Idol for Beliefnet’s gospel Soundcheck states, “There was a time when a worship leader performing on a show like American Idol would have caused Christians to question his faith. But with the culture of celebrity becoming more common in the Christian community, the idea of a Christian making it big in the mainstream isn’t so distasteful anymore. Ya think?
