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American Idol gets religious?
By kirk noonan | April 10, 2008
“Shout to the Lord” by Darlene Zschech was sung as the grand finale last night on “American Idol’s” special “Idol Gives Back.” The use of the song and a questionable word swap have some Christians celebrating, others shaking their fists, and a few 
scratching their heads wondering what to make of such a cherished worship song being used in a music competition. Check out Going Up? for more on the debate.
Four years ago TPE interviewed Zschech. Following is an excerpt of that interview where Zschech talks about the place worship music should have in culture.
TPE: What’s your take on the popularity and commercial success of worship and how it is used?
ZSCHECH: I think we’re going to have to deal with a lot more of success. Christian music should be on the radio and on the mainstream airways. It’s not just for the church. It has the ability to draw people to the church because God’s presence is attached to it. It’s so inviting for the hungry heart of humanity.
Looks like she got her wish in terms of going mainstream.
To read the entire TPE interview click here.
Topics: Media, Culture, Entertainment |
April 11th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Ridiculous! If anyone thinks that christian “rock” belongs on mainstream TV, then we better remove any talk of those “made up” dinosaurs from school classrooms!
Preposterous. And it’s hard to imagine that each contestant singing those words out to “the lord” really felt okay with the message.
We were shocked in my house, and can only imagine that the show’s producers have decided they need a way to attract more old, conservative viewers to the show - one of the few markets where they’re likely lacking. Hate to say it folks, but this was not a religous declaration so much as a flubbed attempt to gain market share in an overly conservative country. Shame on you Idol - your weak strategy is see-through.