American Idol

[kat8585]

His desire to make money is not the issue. He may be (or not, based on his current release) a talented singer who can make it. My issue is with his using a gimmick and propping it up as some kind of biblical standard that we should all aspire to. His gimmick of NO KISSING is extra-biblical and not founded on ANY biblical standard. There is NOTHING wrong with kissing.

Now, if this young man wishes to come out and say that he doesn't trust himself and cannot handle physical contact with a person of the opposite gender and therefore abstains for personal reasons...thats different. But for his website to imply he might not have made the show because of his "morals"...well thats just plain dumb and arrogant.

How are you so sure it's a gimmick? If he was going to use a gimmick, wouldn't he use one that would get him less ridicule? Why are you so angry? It may be true about not making the show in today's worldly atmosphere.

[kat8585]

axxman, i'm deeply distressed by the level of your apparent ANGER at this. there is nothing unbiblical about abstaining from even kissing. the Bible may not mention kissing specifically in its list of no-nos, but the Bible is VERY clear to avoid circumstances which may cause one to get carried away with carnal desire, and kissing can (and frequently does) do that.

the young man is very WISE to make such a vow. you call it a gimmick. well, i agree that if you were to make such a vow and announce it publically, it would be a gimmick. but it's quite possible that this young man is simply being obedient to God, by the conviction that the Holy Spirit has laid upon him.

the guy didn't make any public statements that kissing was a sin for anybody to commit, did he? as i understand the situation (from what i've read and heard, because i've never been interested in watching the show myself), he simply stated that it was a vow he, personally had made.

sounds to me like he is committed to serving the Lord and is not about to put himself in temptation's way. you say there is nothing wrong with kissing... well, is there anything wrong with NOT kissing?

i'd say there is far more biblical grounds for avoiding kissing than there is for engaging in it. if he remains committed to the vow he has made, the Lord is going to greatly bless him with a wife who is just as committed to God and to her future husband.

so do you think that when john tesh made a public vow not to kiss before marriage that it was just a gimmick also? you will remember that john tesh was already a fully grown man, and quite a wealthy and famous man, when he made that vow. and look at how God blessed tesh, and his wife, because of their commitment! and the fact that they made their vow publically known was a tremendous testimony to others! a testimony that glorified God!

as for what his website says, you don't think that it's possible that the producers and judges could have been unwittingly serving satan's agenda by voting him off? i think it is possible. i think it's more likely though that there were other contestants more qualified to move on to the next round, but for crying out loud, i can certainly understand how one could make the leap to that conclusion, even if they were incorrect.

nebula, i agree with you regarding what God is doing through that show. i don't enjoy that particular show, and maybe i would if it had a different title. in fact, i'm sure i would if it were not for the title. but God is using that show to glorify Himself. it's a wonderful thing. HE is putting His servants in place to proclaim the truth in a venue that is the antithesis of godliness.

the show is a stepping stone. i think, if the guy continues to serve God, that his time as a contestant on american idol is going to open doors for the kid that will make way for him to shine that light on his heavenly Father within the music industry. and for the time being, i believe God will use the guy's public pronouncement of faith to bring others to Christ.

I agree.

[nebula]

My issue is with his using a gimmick and propping it up as some kind of biblical standard that we should all aspire to.

Again - where is your proof that he is doing this as a gimmick?

His gimmick of NO KISSING is extra-biblical and not founded on ANY biblical standard. There is NOTHING wrong with kissing.

I know of several couples that have made this vow, and their relationships have become healthier because of it. In a day in age where sex is shoved down our throats, "desperate times require desperate measures."

No, the Bible does not state anything about kissing. For that matter, it says nothing about dating. Our whole system of choosing a mate is nothing like it was in Biblical days. If you want the "Biblical" method, then you should have your father arrange who you marry You up for that?

Now, if this young man wishes to come out and say that he doesn't trust himself and cannot handle physical contact with a person of the opposite gender and therefore abstains for personal reasons...thats different. But for his website to imply he might not have made the show because of his "morals"...well thats just plain dumb and arrogant.

Without having seen his audition, I cannot evaluate how good he was or was not. The only thing I know is that the judges aren't good at explaining why they didn't believe someone sang well (even if it's obvious to everyone that it just doesn't sound good, they don't tell the person what was wrong).

What I see here is that you must have a problem with the "no kissing before marriage" advocacy. If that is your value - fine. But please don't defame this young man because you have a problem with it, or his success being made because of it.

[Gerioke]

There are Christians on the show, so he didn't get the boot on account of his faith. He probably just wasn't very good.

[Treasure]

For whatever reason, he got the boot. The point it that it's a story that got attention. What this young man chooses to do with that attention is between him and God.

[Massorite]

For whatever reason, he got the boot. The point it that it's a story that got attention. What this young man chooses to do with that attention is between him and God.

Absolutely! We should never justify a hypocrisy. The very fact that he wanted to be an idol shows his intent was self glory and not glory for God.

[Treasure]

For whatever reason, he got the boot. The point it that it's a story that got attention. What this young man chooses to do with that attention is between him and God.

Absolutely! We should never justify a hypocrisy. The very fact that he wanted to be an idol shows his intent was self glory and not glory for God.

And you know the intention of his heart how? "Idol" is simply the name of a show. He could have been on Larry King and made the same statement. The venue isn't necessarily an indication of his heart.

[Guest LadyC]

For whatever reason, he got the boot. The point it that it's a story that got attention. What this young man chooses to do with that attention is between him and God.

Absolutely! We should never justify a hypocrisy. The very fact that he wanted to be an idol shows his intent was self glory and not glory for God.

i think you're a little off base on this one massorite. he never said he wanted to be an "idol". he went on a nationally broadcast contest that reaches millions of people, believers and unbelievers. the name of the show doesn't necessarily reflect the heart of the contestant.

and as previously pointed out, there are other christians who have entered that contest. do you think they were all trying to glorify themselves? that seems a bit like complaining about Jesus having shared meals with sinners and tax collectors.

God uses the media to spread His gospel, doesn't He?

[Treasure]

[Axxman]

First off...I'm not angry about it. He is (as we all are) entitled to his opinion. His opinion is that kissing leads to sexual impurity. He's said that in multiple interviews. He has also said that he thinks guys that kiss before marriage are being dishonest with their wives. I happen to think he's wrong about that and that he has NO biblical basis for those opinions. Now if he wants to hold himself to that standard because he's afraid he might be sexually impure...thats his decision. However, he has NO right or authority to cast judgements on people who have no problem with kissing.

His entire schtick is based on the "kissing' topic. Thats why I call it a gimmick. If it weren't for that ONE thing about him...nobody would have ANY interest in him and he is using that to propel his career forward. Even the ONE song he has written is about that ONE thing. In fact, his 15 seconds of tv fame wouldn't have even happened if it wasn't for that ONE thing about him. And now he is using that ONE thing that got him on tv ONE time in order to advance his career. Which is why I said..."everyone needs a gimmick." Now most of you took that negatively...but it was just a matter of fact statement. If you don't have something unique (a gimmick) then you have to be enormously talented. No offense to him, but I've heard his song...he needs a gimmick. There is nothing wrong with that, cuz most people do...including me.

I'm also curious...which wife did John Tesh stay pure for??? If I recall, Jessica Simpson also made a purity vow before marriage (she even wore the "Silver Ring Thing" on her finger)...she used the same purity gimmick, along with the ditzy blonde act to propel her career too.

I'm just sayin'.........