Since the finale’s going on right now (not that I’m watching…), it seems like a good time to explore the Top Ten Religious Moments on American Idol, courtesy of Beliefnet.com:
It all starts with the title: something called “American Idol” is bound to be religious. And indeed, Fox’s megahit is all about worshiping new idols, converting the masses, and keeping the faith in our favorite contestants.
And, just like church, it happens every week, demanding our allegiance and, as we vote for the budding idols, our tithe. Plus, many “American Idol” contestants enjoy an afterlife, whether in gleeful infamy like William Hung or in stardom like Kelly Clarkson.
The results are a bit underwhelming. Lots of “shocking” Christian song selections and singers professing their faith.
One paragraph stood out to me, though:
[Jordin Sparks] caught the eye of well-known Christian singer Michael W. Smith, with whom she performed, and she also sang at the funeral for Christian football player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, a job she was rumored to have gotten thanks to a connection from her famous father, former NFL player Phillippi Sparks.
Pat Tillman was Christian? According to whom? That’s not what I’ve read…
***UPDATE***: The article was fixed. The sentence now reads “… with whom she performed, and she also sang at the funeral for football player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman…” The word Christian has been omitted. Good. Thanks to author Lilit Marcus for making the change and to benjdm for pointing it out.
[tags]atheist, atheism[/tags]
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