Kris Allen, a believer in Jesus, recently won the American Idol competition in the US. As the competition between him and another contestant was coming down to the final vote, he said, “For me, I hope that having the Christian vote doesn’t help with anything. I hope it has to do with your talent and the performance that you give and the package that you have. It’s not about religion and all that kind of stuff.” What’s your take on Kris’ comments? How do faith and the arts intersect?
Joseph Ruiz on May 22, 2009 at 12:54 pm
My opinion, the show is called American Idol and is about finding who has the best talent – that is what the show was created for.
My girlfriend, who has never seen one episode all season of American Idol, made a comment on Monday. She said, “I hope Kris the Christian wins.” I am sure most of you are aware that Adam has rumors circling around his name about his sexual preference. So the finale quickly became a Straight guy vs a Gay guy competition on not about an actual talent competition.
The Bible says, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Matthew 7:2).
Her comment upset me a little because I knew she was making a judgement towards both contestants. She then questioned my faith and asked why I wasn’t going for Kris. I said it has nothing to do with my faith. I know it is a sin to live a gay lifestyle; however, I am not going to judge him for that. I also believe nobody else should have either. I never watched the show, but I hope the best contestant won.
God bless them both and congratulations to both. Win or lose, I am sure they will have some sort of success in popularity and finances because of just being on the show.
Joseph Ruiz on May 22, 2009 at 12:58 pm
To answer the question ‘How do faith and the arts intersect?’ – if God has given you the ability to act, sing, preach, teach, or play sports, by all means use it. Use His blessings to your advantage but always remember to give back to the Lord so that His blessing continue to be with you. God bless you all and have a blessed weekend.
learning2serv on May 25, 2009 at 8:22 am
God, the greatest artist in the multiverse, has put His breath in each of us. For a Christian, it is more than a mere mandate but a blessing to “do what we see the Father doing”.
We see Him cause us to think by using the awesome power of nature. We see his order by the way seedtime and harvest continually come and go. We see his humor by the zany way some animals perform very humorous things. We see his wisdom in the same. We see his provision by the way animals are fed and his love of beauty by the roses – which have thorns – and the lilies of the field.
The artist releases that which is pent up within his soul, indeed with some it burns within their bones.
And as for us? Well, we are but the workmanship of His hands.
What true son (or daughter) does not desire to be like their father? (John 5.19)
Happy Memorial Day.
peg on May 26, 2009 at 10:57 am
I’m pretty sure that Jesus would not enter an “idol” contest. Although of course He would win. 🙂
I guess Kris was right in his statement. Since the show is about talent, it should stay that way.