American Idol(atry)?

[Jeff Price]

 

 

 

American Idol(atry)?

via Young Adult Reformed Fellowship by Rob Maeder on 5/6/09

My wife and I have been watching the latest season of American Idol. We sit on our comfy couch like two Caesars and give the thumbs-up and thumbs-down for various artists. It's an interesting show and something to do while we're exhausted on Tuesday night (my wife teaches 9th grade English).

Last night was "Rock Night" with the "Idols" singing classic rock songs. As I listened to the judges comments and watched the fanaticism of the crowd I was forced to ask the question "does this show actually encourage the idolatry of the artists?"

The three left judges (the "nice" judges) would use words like "rock god" or "rock goddess." Simon Cowell, the other judge usually offers some criticism. "It wasn't that good." or "I don't think that's going to be enough to get you through to the next round."

I don't know if American Idol encourages idolatry outright. I do think it does nothing to discourage it. Even if the show does encourage idolatry, I won't completely blame it. Suppliers tend to reflect the sin within the demand.

To illustrate, I heard this tale from an Econ professor- There was a case where a community wanted to stop an adult store from being built because it "was not in line with community values." The judge rejected the case saying "if that is true the store will be shut down in a few months because no one in the community will buy from him."

I don't want to guilt-trip you, but I guess this is a call for us all to be reflective. Is there idolatry in our hearts? Are we worshiping the creation and not the creator?

Psalm 96:9
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

-Rob

 

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