I’ve been kinda wondering if the American Idols have Bible studies or pray together. I mean, think about the number of Christians in the top 10.

Nikko Smith…obvious Christian that talked about Jesus several times while on the the show.

Nadia is a member of ToolBox, a Christian punk soul band, and part of Miami Music Ministries. She goes to a United Methodist Church that might as well be non-denom.

Carrie is a free will baptist who grew up singing in the church.

Bo Bice is a Presbyterian active in his church’s music ministry. He listens to Christian Rock and CCM. When recently going to visit his mom, “Bice suddenly got a phone call from someone at his New Hope Presbyterian Church in Pelham, who told him that a church member’s little newborn grandson had died. Bo turned around and went back home, wrote a song and sang at the funeral and gave the grieving parents a copy of song on a CD.” He has a great attitude, as evidenced by what he said on the show today.

When it comes to Anwar, I’ve seen it all. From the gay personal ad placed before the start of the show to his love for Gospel music to his “Muslim” name, I can’t figure him out. I’d like to see someone ask him some of these questions in an interview.

Constantine was a Greek Orthodox altar boy and a leader in the Greek Orthodox Youth Association.

Scott prayed several times on the show. Both he and Jessica Sierra perform at church functions. Vonzell is active in her church.

That leaves Anthony. And I have no idea where he’s at. But with 8 of the top 10 definitely being church-active Christian (Anthony and Anwar, I’m not sure), you gotta wonder what their conversations are like.

So Nadia is going home. I’m not really that surprised. She seems to have been in the bottom three quite often lately. As I said the week they had 24 contestants left, Nadia would probably be better at modeling than singing. I can see her doing an Old Navy commercial. I also said that week that she really seemed to want to glorify God. I think she knew she was going home this week, and I think that’s why she made her little “plug” for God and God’s will. She leaves with style and class, and I think she accomplished the mission she was on.

Again, Simon called perfectly. He told Nadia she might be going home. He told Bo that he wouldn’t get any votes. And he told Scott that it wasn’t very good. Bingo. Bingo. Bingo.

“Jesus was the only One that ever raised the dead,” The Misfit continued, “and He shouldn’t have done it. He thrown everything off balance. If He did what He said, then it’s nothing for you to do but throw away everything and follow Him, and if He didn’t, then it’s nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can-by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him. No pleasure but meanness,” he said and his voice had become almost a snarl. –FLannery O’Connor, A Good Man Is Hard To Find

One thing I’ve noticed this semester is how religious our Intro to Lit book is. When I went through college, the profs were biased against even mentioning that aspect. And dealing with my students, I understand why. They don’t get religion. It doesn’t make any sense. They miss all the references. But I mean, here’s a sampling of what we’ve read this semester:

“A Good Man Is Hard To Find”: It’s kind of hard to miss references like the one posted above. The story is one of grace and kindness. It preaches the gospel clearly.

“Good Country People” (Flannery O’Connor): The hypocritcal Bible salesman “Manley Pointer.” Mrs Hopewell, who names her daughter Joy. But Joy, who changes her name to Hulga, is an atheist with a “bad heart.”

“Revelation” (Flannery O’Connor): Mary Grace hits Mrs. Turpin in the head with a book called Human Development. This leads to her “Revelation” of those marching to heaven.

“The Gospel According to St. Mark” (Borges): I hate to give anything away on this one because the ending is a bit of a shocker for the uninitiated. I’ll just say Mary Magdelene, crucifixion, gift of elocution, a beard, kindness, “magical” healing, and of course, the title and all the references to the gospel story.

“Young Goodman Brown” (Hawthorne): It’s all over this one. His wife Faith, of course. “My Faith is gone”…”I’ll cling to her skirts” leaving Faith for only a night. pink ribbons, etc. References to Moses’s staff.

“The Lottery” (Jackson): Mr. Adams, who always stands by Mr. Graves. Delacroix (of the Cross). Human sacrifice. Stoning.

I mean, it seems nearly every story we read is just filled with religious reference, and I sometimes feel preachy for pointing out these things…as if my students will one day say, “Are we ever going to read something that’s not religious?” Of course, everything is religious, but I don’t know how I went through these stories without my profs pointing these things out. Even to argue against the positive references. They just weren’t mentioned. I don’t understand it.

Yesterday, as “House” started, the senator started getting blurred vision, threw up, and then passed out.

Rachel: I know what’s wrong with him.
Rick: What?
Rachel: He’s pregnant.