Maybe we wouldn’t have to hide if the world (mostly America) wasn’t trying to sweep Christianity under the rug. From the attacks on public displays to the attack on public “Christian” officials, it’s like they don’t want us to exist. We have just as much right to proclaim Jesus as anyone does to denounce Him. I won’t bother you about you unbelief if everyone else stops bothering Christians about their belief.

I take offense for them using the song because of them taking Jesus out. If you are going to use a song that has Jesus in it, then leave the word in there. Otherwise, just don’t use it. I agree, they shouldn’t have used the song in the first place (but I didn’t watch it anyway, only heard about it).

Putting a Christian song in a show like this is just an example of how the unthinking media and entertainment industry continues to screw up television. I don’t hate most of T.V. because of it’s absence of God. I hate it because it doesn’t require America to think. It does the thinking for us. It starts controversies. If the song was never in the show, no Christian would have been complaining that the show didn’t have any Christian songs.

Again, we don’t want to hide, we feel we have to….to be “politically correct” and to keep from “offending” anyone. Jesus and Christian are offended all the time through T.V. and other media and (the smart ones of us) say nothing. Yet, we say one thing on national T.V. about Jesus and suddenly, everyone wants to lynch us. You either have freedom of speech and religion, or you don’t. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t stop people from saying Jesus just as much as I can’t stop you from speaking against him. Let’s just be fair ok? One 2 minute song is not going to kill you…unless you are feeling guilty or something….?

Anyway, I need to read Daniel Radosh’s book before I talk about this further.

And re Miley: She could have sang a song about the theme of the night instead of one about her “just being Miley.” To be honest I don’t think “Barracuda” was all that appropriate of a choice, either, although I guess “Alone” would have just been a slap in the face to Ramiele.

Well, unless they are black, of course. Then it’s fine for them to be openly religious.

I know the majority of AI viewers are in the middle of the country, but I still found such an openly religious song to be a strange fit. They’re usually not that blatant; even “Jesus…” was post-Idol for Carrie.

1. Annie Lennox’s performance of “Many Rivers to Cross” was flat out wonderful, as if nobody had told her that she was singing on a reality show pat-yourself-on-the-back fest. You want to talk about showing the kids how it’s done, that’s how it’s DONE.

2. I had my finger on the fast-forward button the second Carrie Underwood took the stage. And maybe it’s the philanthropy talking, but I thought she did a pretty terrific job. Perfect song choice, solid vocals without an ounce of her country corn…She worked it out (to coin a phrase).

Maybe if we didn’t all talk so much smack on their love of the Lord they would feel they could be more forceful about their more liberal beliefs, but the ones I know are too embarrassed. Not that I think we should all be forced to be awash in “His praise” or anything, but it is a turning tide. Young evangelicals especially, so there is hope, maybe there is less need to be so angry/sad.

Hmm..to tie this into music…I think Miley is faking her fervent Jesuslove, but I do think she has a wicked stage presence. W00t.

Really, Christianity is the mixed message that got peoples’ panties in a bunch? No one is bothered by Snoop Dogg’s diamond-encrusted nametag or Alicia Keys’ designer sunglasses on a special about, uh, poverty?

Also, Fergie. She freakin’ rocked. She not only “held her own” against Ann Wilson, she blew Wilson off the stage.

Fergie should rock a little more, and show Ashlee, Avril — and maybe Hayley? — how it’s done.

Also, the Idols could take a few lessons from Miley on how to work the stage and the crowd.