religious wackos now influencing even American Idol!

‘Idol’ Song Choice Courts Controversy and Finds It; Singer Is Voted Off

LOS ANGELES — Carly Smithson might be the first “American Idol” contestant to be voted off the show for blasphemy.

Online chat boards devoted to “American Idol” have been abuzz since Ms. Smithson performed the title song from “Jesus Christ Superstar” — the 1970 rock opera, which many Christians consider offensive — on Tuesday’s episode. Ms. Smithson received the fewest votes of the six remaining contestants following her Tuesday performance. Her elimination was announced on Wednesday night’s episode. The week’s performances were drawn from the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote “Jesus Christ Superstar” with Tim Rice.

Since its debut, and particularly following the release of the 1973 film version, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has been railed against by some Christians for its portrayal of Jesus as confused and at times unwilling to accept his role, and because it hints that he had a sexual relationship with Mary Magdalene.

In the title song, Judas Iscariot rebukes Jesus for poor planning in his choice of when and where to present himself on earth and asks Jesus to contrast himself with Buddha and Muhammad.

Within hours of Ms. Smithson’s performance, which was hailed by one “American Idol” judge as one of the best of the night, questions were being raised online about the song. On one thread on the show’s official Web site, AmericanIdol.com, a viewer warned shortly after the performance that Ms. Smithson’s choice of the song would put her in danger of elimination.

---
I admit, i watch American Idol! When i heard that Andrew Lloyd Webber's music was the theme of the night, the first thing i thought of was Jesus Christ Superstar for the "rockers" on the show. I thought that David Cook would have done something - actually i thought that he would have done the title song and Carly would have done something like "I Don't Know How to Love Him".

It never even crossed my mind that anyone would take offense to this and i literally laughed out loud when i saw that someone posted something about being offended by this.

I couldn't have imagined that there were enough wackos in this country watching this show that would vote against one of the most talented contestants because they sang a good song extremely well. Once again, i underestimate the stupidity of the American public...