American Idol and the Christian Walk

The last time I watched the show, I remember one room being eliminated and 3 rooms being kept in Hollywood.

It is heart wrenching to watch fairly good singers get the boot on America's popular singing competition American Idol. Yet, I know as well, that there can only be one winner of this contest, so the rest of those three rooms will eventually be eliminated.

Last year, I watched a young man tell the judges that his friends insisted that he could sing well and that they encouraged him to try out for American Idol. When I heard his voice, my mouth dropped wide open in horror.

Listen to me, anyone out there! If you have a friend who can't sing, please do them a favor and tell them the truth! Do not embarrass them or play one of the meanest jokes I've ever seen in my life! I truly felt so sorry for that young man. Either his friends were also tone deaf or they weren't his friends at all. And he also looked like the type that could be taken advantage of. Please, I urge you, make this world a nicer place. Be kind to the people you consider your friends. Friends don't let friends sing tone deaf in front of millions of people. Friends tell friends the truth.

Be Christian-like, if you are a Christian.

As a Christian, I wonder sometimes, why do I watch the show? There is a lot of idolizing going around the corridors on the show. Even the judges can sometimes be cruel to the not so well endowed vocally; although, more recently, I have seen more sensitive judging and a holding back on harsh criticism. American Idol has much improved.

As a Christian, I wonder, why do I subject myself to listening to others sing renditions of songs that would not be sung in a church loft or on a choir platform?

I have been thankful for those few whose faith has carried them to the top of the recording ladder; like Ms. Underwood who recorded "Jesus, Take the Wheel." She has been an inspiration to me that one need not hide her faith to be a success. On the contrary, it was her faith that helped her succeed.

I felt like I was rooting for my favorite baseball or football whenever I saw a contestant like her on the Idol stage. It is also an example to me that her faith was not flaunted but displayed with grace. We need more examples of true Christianity and not the cookie cutter, manufactured turnarounds that talk about Jesus but don't really know who He is. I say this and I knock on wood. I hope I have not spoken too soon. Sometimes the world of showbiz can compromise even the staunchest of proactivists.

The show in its defense has shown, how to behave professionally when auditioning to sing. It has also taught, at least, to me that singing and recording is work - hard work and the end result of fame and fortune is only a start to a long life of work, if you choose to pursue it. The singing only pays off if you work at it.