"But for Americans who don't believe in worshipping idols and instead serve Jesus Christ, a countrywide televised singing competition has to be a bit different."

I guess this means I have to take down that shrine to Bo Bice I have in my basement.
victor | Homepage | 02.27.06 - 6:56 pm | #

I wonder if any Catholic artists would be "allowed" to compete on gifted. Once they find out they are papish, they would probably get canned.
dobrodoc | 02.28.06 - 8:28 am | #

I wonder if a seminarian in a cassock
doing Gregorian Chant would make the cut?
Raphael | 02.28.06 - 10:40 am | #

I'm sorry, but that's just dumb. It's not been long enough since I was an evangelical that I can't still feel the acute embarrassment at seeing the next inevitable "Christian-version-of-latest-pop-culture- phenomenon" getting trotted out for popular consumption in the ol' fundy subculture. Ack! Pththppptht!
Phil in Canada | 02.28.06 - 9:57 pm | #

Kent Brockman here: In other news, Caesar's News Network reports that Christians in Rome have decided to hold their own "gladiatorial" games. Instead of fighting to the death with gladii, recent seminary graduates will entertain Christian youth by waving black, leather-covered scrolls at one another until one falls to his knees and is declared, "saved".

According to the Rev. Dr. Polycarp of the Evangelical Partially-Determined Holy Scroll Church in Rome, these games offer a Christian alternative to unpositive secular entertainment. "These are games with a whole different agenda," he said.

We turn now to our man on the street reporter for commentary from the Christian youth of Rome, at whom these new games are being targeted.

Christian youth on streets of Rome: They suck.

Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Will these new games catch on? Can the new capital campaign get enough cash from popular Italian food franchise owners to build an alternative "Called-o-seum"? More at 11.
Jon W | Homepage | 03.01.06 - 7:41 am | #

Similar reactions resulted when I first saw "saint trading cards" to compete with those featuring sports figures. Honus Wagoner had the right idea -- if you object to the message sent, have your image removed and don't encourage people to collect them. Ironically, Honus' card is THE most sought-after, its rarity resulting from his objections to tobacco chewing and the encouragement the cards gave to children to engage in it.
A. Nonymouse | 03.07.06 - 9:08 am | #