Thoughts on 'American Idol'

I wonder why anyone would subject themselves to being abused by Simon Cowell in front of millions of people. You may subscribe to the "no risk, no reward" school of thinking. You may also ascribe to the theory that any publicity is good publicity -- e.g., William Hung.

Three years ago today, Hung auditioned for the show and was laughed off the stage by Cowell and his fellow panelists, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Hung parlayed this humiliation into something positive. He signed a record deal and produced three albums, had a role in a small Hong Kong-produced movie, and appeared on the television show "Arrested Development," playing himself. He has also produced some television commercials. Hung's example is inspiring other amateurs into believing that anything is possible.

A couple of years ago, while listening to the featured entertainment at a formal Christmas party, I looked around to see if anybody else's face betrayed bemusement. I was listening to a truly awful performance -- very nearly a laugh-out-loud situation. Yet afterward, I seemed to have been the only one who thought so. "Good" is in the eye or the ear of the beholder.

Who decides what good is? The problem with being a local church pastor is I tend to see Scriptural ties in just about everything. The Bible says, "Who is he that condemns?" (Romans 8:34)

It has been argued, with some merit, that the American Idol judges are crueler this season. However, it is possible that the producers -- in an effort to increase the "train wreck" appeal of the show -- are allowing weaker contestants to get on screen than in previous years.

Who is in a position to condemn? Simon Cowell may think a person's singing is atrocious, but should contestants allow his opinion to stop them? Whose opinion matters to us ... and why? How often have we stopped pursuing something because just one person thought the idea -- or our own performance -- was not up to par?

The closest Biblical parallel I can draw to "American Idol" is in the 10th chapter of Mark. In it, a rich young man tells Jesus he has kept the commandments (presumably perfectly) since childhood. Never lied, never dishonored Mom and Dad, never told less than he knew in order to gain an advantage (fraud), etc. Simon Cowell would have been all over this guy with ridicule.

But Mark 10:21 says this: "Jesus, looking at him, loved him." Sure, the young man was blowing smoke. And Jesus knew it. Instead of humiliating him, though, Jesus cared about him.

This is the kind of savior to whom so many give their allegiance. Jesus knows the deal about all of us; yet he loves us rather than condemns.

He, as Romans points out, "intercedes for us." He's a fan, a cheerleader. He's always in our corner. And I'm persuaded Jesus rejoices when a guy like William Hung -- who believes that all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) -- makes it good.

Jeff Long is pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Married with two daughters, he is of Scots and Swedish descent, loves movies, and is a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.