'American Idol' Worship?

What about you? Have you become distracted into idol-worship? How many hours a week do you spend entertaining yourself watching television, playing video games, and immersing yourself in the computer? On the other hand, how many hours a week do you spend studying the bible, praying, and worshiping God? The answer may very well tell you who your god is.

Nearly 100 million votes were cast and a new 'American Idol' was crowned—Kris Allen. Kris is a very talented, guitar-playing singer from Arkansas. After months of auditions, contests, and entertaining comments from judges, the competition has finally ended—at least temporarily before the next contest begins.

'American Idol' has been airing as one of the most popular and growing shows on television since June, 2002. But what is really interesting to me is there were far more votes cast for 'American Idol' than people who go to church on any given week in America. Let me repeat that—far more votes for 'American Idol' than church-goers on any given week.

What does that say about us as a nation? Do you realize more people in America can name popular singers, athletes, and entertainers than can identify the four gospel writers? Who are the true idols of our post-modern, entertainment-soaked, popular culture? Americans of all ages are totally distracted by this mind-numbing fall into the abyss of entertainment!

The Psalmist wrote: "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the LORD...glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name." (Psalm 96:5-8)

America's idols are not so much religious icons. They're people! From amateur musicians to over-paid athletes and movie stars we have created a new class of gods! We idolize them. We follow them like cult worshipers. We give them our time, energy and resources. Just like ancient Rome and Greece, we have made gods from ordinary people. And in the process we are neglecting the God who made us.

In the Bible we read, "They gave up the truth about God for a lie, and they worshiped God's creation instead of God, who will be praised forever. " (Romans 1:25)

What about you? Have you become distracted into idol-worship? How many hours a week do you spend entertaining yourself watching television, playing video games, and immersing yourself in the computer? On the other hand, how many hours a week do you spend studying the Bible, praying, and worshiping God? The answer may very well tell you who your god is.

For GN Magazine, I'm Dave Register.