abort73

currently spinning — the war, thought i had died.

With President Obama’s rise to office this past month, a festering issue has united Christians non across the nation — abortion. At the Institute of Biblical studies a few weeks ago, several high school students gave an announcement about representatives from abort73 coming to Ithaca. This got me thinking a tad, in light of the election hooplah last fall (i.e. many Christians I know electing to vote for McCain over Obama because a female vp is the ‘lesser evil’ compared to abortion), i.e. single-issue voters.  

I don’t pretend to be copiously knowledgeable about such an issue — don’t get me wrong — I don’t agree with the slaughtering and grotesque procedures women choose to endure on the claims of a constitutional right, but if I am not picketing in front of Washington DC, does this make me less of a Christian? Do I claim to love Christ less because I see equally distrubing injustices in the slums, the homeless shelters, the nations? What good is it for someone so self-righteous to merely wave a finger in my face for not being superbly involved in an issue as this? As if the more times we yell, protest, stomp and judge, can save the wayward of our nation.

For if we could simply stop sin, or convince others to do what we’d like them to on pure wit and reason, what need is there for a Savior whom can change our hearts towards redemption? He is the only hope. Even with abortion.

American Idol Jesus

For those of you who don’t know, Tuesday night was the showing of American Idol Gives Back — an overall attempt for hedonistic activism, but nonetheless a noble cause. I had only watched part of it, but it mostly consisted of the remaining 8 contestants singing feel-good songs, showing celebrities vouching to raise money for certain causes, and videos of actual celebs visiting certain areas (Miley Cyrus, Brad Pitt, etc.) and helping out. I must say that, watching the rich and the famous prance around in their $$$ outfits and designer glasses while trying to reach out is amusing (in the satirical way) in itself.

I didn’t find out this until later, when I read a Joshua Harris’ reflection of the night, that the last song sung was Shout to the Lord (an original Darlene Zschech/Hillsong song). But, instead of the normal first line “My Jesus, My Savior,” American Idol had changed it to, “My Shepherd, My savior.” Now, I’m still not really quite sure why this was done, because 1. In a failed attempt to be PC, it’s pretty clear which Savior you’re talking about when the next line says, Lord there is none like You. And, 2. The producers know that right after the showing, you’re going to get evangelical christians nation-wise asking themselves, where did the Jesus go?? (A question I ask myself often when looking into the media/culture today..)

But that’s not it. On Wed. night, American Idol started the show off again with Shout to the Lord — except this time, with the correct lyrics of My Jesus, My Savior.

Compare for yourself:

Tuesday Night: http://youtube.com/watch?v=chXEraRnE4o
Wednesday Night: http://youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY

This whole American Idol controversy has already stirred up a good mount of debate on both the Christian and non-Christian fronts, which tend to revolve around, “i feel so offended… why does American Idol want to convert me?!” to, “…. How could they leave out Jesus?? Is American that pagan?” For more thoughtful critiques, feel free to read Joshua Harris’ follow-up post, or Michael Giltz’s comments from the Huffington Post.

Now, for some of you, this whole matter might seem trite. I mean, it’s just using Jesus one night, and Shepherd another, right? They’re technically the same name for the same Savior, right? But… what is it about the name Jesus that is so seemingly daunting that a change to a sheep-herder would make it seem more innocuous? Why would producers let a unquestionably Christian song be sung on national television, only to offend those to whom it might appeal to?