American Idol has a distinct church connection–Most of the show’s winning contestants have hailed from the “Bible belt,” and many of them having been trained by singing in evangelical or Pentecostal churches.

This season’s top contenders were the exception, as Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze are from the Midwest.  However Aaron Kelley, Michael Lynche and Tim Urban got their “singing legs” by performing in their churches, the LA Times said.

In season eight, half of the top 10 were worship leaders in their church.  Churches also became a big part of the contestants’ fan bases with congregations launching viewing parties and vote drives for their favorites, the LA Times reported.

Danny Gokey got serious about music when he was 19 after attending FaithBuilders, a nondenominational church in Milwaukee.  Mandisa of season 5 also has church roots and is currently recording under EMI Christian Music.  Jason Castro of season seven used to sing at Lake Pointe, a suburban Dallas mega-church that’s known for its sophisticated musical performances.

Jordin Sparks performs on American Idol in 2007. She got her start singing in church. Credit:Wikimedia Commons.

Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks and Taylor Hicks, all Idol winners, also got their training largely by singing in churches before they became famous through the show, the LA Times said.

The fact that many contestants honed their vocal skills at black churches and suburban megachurches is also one of the reasons why “Idol” has been embraced by Christian communities across the nation.

The show has projected to an audience of tens of millions an image of heartland youth driven by faith and strong family values, which has become an important source of appeal, according to the LA Times.

All of the winners from the previous eight seasons came from the Bible Belt states except for Arizona native Jordin Sparks of season six.  Of note, “Idol” ratings are highest in such southern cities as Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala. (which produced “Idol” winners Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks); and Winston-Salem, N.C., according to the Nielsen Co.

Music is a huge part of modern American church culture, particularly in its praise and worship services.  According to Mandisa, “There are always so many Christians that go on ‘American Idol’ and I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” the LA Times said.

Churches provide a natural training ground for prospective “Idol” contestants, and have gained even more importance as school boards have slashed budgets for arts programs in recent years.

During Season five, Mandisa made a gesture pointing to her heart, head and the sky that she took from the work of the evangelist Beth Moore. “A lot of people recognized that and were rooting for me,” she said.

She performed the gospel song “Shackles (Praise You)” for the Top 10 week. She even cited the example of Jesus’ life in telling judge Simon Cowell that she had forgiven him for making cruel on-camera remarks about her weight, the LA Times reported.

President Barack Obama made a pilgrimage to pray with Billy Graham, the American preacher who harnessed the media and made Christian evangelism a global phenomenon, recently.

Evangelist Billy Graham in 1966. Graham has met with every U.S. president since Harry Truman.

Obama rode in his motorcade to Graham’s mountainside log cabin in Montreat, which is near Asheville, N.C., upon the conclusion of his North Carolina vacation with his wife, Michele, and friends.

It was Obama’s first meeting with the ailing evangelist who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower.

This makes Obama, 48, the 12th president of the United States to meet with the 91-year-old Graham.

He is also the first head of state to call on the famed evangelist, who is ailing, at the latter’s mountaintop home.

The visit lasted about 30 minutes and included aides and advisers to both men.  Obama had a private prayer and conversation with Billy Graham.

Graham gave Obama two Bibles, one for him and one for the first lady, according to the Associated Press.

The AP report said the older Graham and Obama did most of the talking. They reminisced about their roots in Chicago, where Graham attended college  and began some of his ministry in the region.

Obama moved to Chicago after college and began his political career there.  They also talked about golf.

When the president got ready to leave, the two ended in prayer, according to the AP. The elder Graham prayed for the nation and asked God to give Obama wisdom in his decisions.

The president prayerfully thanked God for Billy Graham’s life, Franklin Graham told the AP.

Obama confided, like other presidents before him, how lonely, demanding and humbling the presidency can be, according to Larry Ross, presidential spokesman.

“That is a discussion that Mr. Graham has had with previous presidents who realize not only the demands but the loneliness of the job. And they’re humbled by that,” Ross said.

“The only way one can do [the job] properly is to draw on spiritual resources,” the AP reported.

The president also spoke to Graham’s son Franklin, also an evangelist.  The Army cancelled an appearance of the younger Graham to pray at the Pentagon for National Prayer Day a few days before.

Billy Graham has met with every president since Harry Truman.  Eisenhower once mused about recruiting Graham as a speechwriter, and the two often read the Bible together.  John F. Kennedy played golf with Graham in Palm Beach.

Graham ministered many times to Lyndon Johnson.  With Nixon, Graham conducted regular worship in the White House.

Gerald Ford played golf with him, Graham visited the Carters in the White House, and with Reagan they had a relationship that spanned 50 years.

George H. Bush vacationed with Graham half a dozen times, and Graham counseled Bill and Hillary in the White House. George W. Bush credits Graham for his spiritual rebirth.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation recently objected to an invitation that was sent to Reverend Franklin Graham to address the Pentagon on National Prayer Day.

The MRFF said they were objecting on behalf of members of the Pentagon’s Muslim community who wrote to the organization and objected to Graham’s invitation.

After the 2003 attacks of 9/11 Graham described Islam as “evil” and “wicked.”  In a forthcoming letter to the Wall Street Journal Graham wrote, “As a minister … I believe it is my responsibility to speak out against the terrible deeds that are committed as a result of Islamic teaching.”

President of the MRFF, Mikey Weinstein said in a letter that inviting evangelist Franklin Graham to speak at the National Day of Prayer on May 6 “would be like bringing someone in on national prayer day madly denigrating Christianity” or other religious groups.  It would also endanger American troops by “stirring up Muslim extremists.”

The MRFF’s Web site is headed by a quote by Weinstein which says, “When one proudly dons a U.S. military uniform, there is only one religious symbol: The American flag.  There is only one religious scripture:  The American constitution.  Finally there is only one religious faith: American patriotism.”

Weinstein also objected to the Pentagon’s “noxious” affiliation with the National Day of Prayer Task Force which is headed by Shirley Dobson, although he stressed he does not object to the Pentagon Chaplain’s Office hosting an NDP event.

Graham is the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham and president and CEO of both Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian international relief organization in Boone, N.C., and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in Charlotte, N.C.

Franklin Graham at the podium and on the big screen at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. in 2007. Credit:Flikr-publicjill

Graham, through a spokesman said, “As the father of a son serving in his fourth combat tour, I’d be glad to know someone was leading a prayer service at the National Day of Prayer, or any other day.”

The spokesman also said Graham will be a guest of the Pentagon and will speak only if he’s still invited.  A military spokeswoman said she was locating officials to respond to the criticism.

A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled last week that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional because it amounts to a call for religious action. The judge did not bar any observances until all appeals are exhausted.