Last week, I had a chance to watch the American Idol auditions in Los Angeles.  Singer/song writer, Avril Lavigne was serving as a guest host, critiquing a Christian worship leader’s performance. After admitting that he sang well, Lavigne went on to say that a church leader with a family to support probably does not have time to become a pop singer due to the rigorous schedule. For this reason, she voted no. The other three judges still voted yes, so the guy is going to Hollywood. Still, we need to slow down for a moment and take a second look at what went on.

QUESTION: Since when has American Idol assumed the job of nanny and nursemaid? Excuse me, Miss Lavigne, but I believe your job was to evaluate the man’s ability to sing. You were brought on to be a judge, not a family counselor.  OK, the fellow works as a music director in church. With few exceptions, all contestants for American Idol have had some kind of job that they were temporarily suspending. Many of them are also married with children. Even single parents leave their kids and jet off to Hollywood. Year after year, I’ve watched these hopefuls on their bio videos, crying and lamenting over how much they miss their children. Not once, did I ever hear a judge say, “Well, if it bothers you so much, perhaps you should abandon this competition and go home.”

Don’t get me wrong. Parting from your family to pursue fame and fortune may indeed call for some reflection and evaluation. I’m just wondering why the Christian is being conspicuously singled out.

Christians have a reputation (often deserved) for being too judgmental. Let’s be clear: Not all self-righteous hypocrisy is found inside the church. Sometimes inappropriate judgment comes from the secular world as well, even when (technically and ironically) the person was called in to be a judge. Lavigne sounded arrogant and patronizing. Apparently, nobody ever explained to her the difference between evaluating an audition and not minding her own business. By challenging a contestant to be more consistent with his Christian faith, she failed to comprehend that Christianity is based upon a Bible which not only talks about worship values and family values, but character as well. Paul probably had this in mind when he listed busybody as a sin.

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