Australian Idol and Assemblies Of God

Monday, June 25, 2007

The plot thickens — more allegations surface regarding the affiliation of key Australian Idol contestants to the Assemblies Of God church groups.

<i>Australian Idol</i> contestants

Channel Seven's current affairs program Today Tonight has been investigating claims that the Hillsong church has affected voting results on Australian Idol by encouraging its members to vote for certain contestants, thereby keeping them in the competition.

On Monday's episode Australian Idol confronted the issue, with host Andrew G asking, on-air, "There's been a lot of talk this week about our top eight and what they chose to believe. Using the latest investigative journalist research methods available to me, guys, can I have a show of hands. How many of you here are members of Hillsong?"

While there was no show of hands, the question was misleading, as four of the contestants, Tarisai Vushe, Matt Corby, Daniel Mifsud and Ben McKenzie (pictured clockwise starting top left), belong to affiliated groups from the Assemblies Of God.

Today Tonight interviewed two ex-Hillsong members who confirmed they had been encouraged by their pastor to vote for certain contestants during the Australian Idol competition. This is in contrast to Hillsong church's response to Today Tonight, that "no Australian Idol contestant has received any mention at the Hillsong church this year, but we wish them all well."

Jacob Butler, who is not a member of the Assembles Of God church, was voted off Monday night, further fuelling these speculations.

(Image: Getty)

Feature: Got God?

Feature: Idol Retrospective

Do you think it's wrong for religious groups to encourage their members to vote for contestants? Is this any different to the Irish contingent helping to catapult Irishman Damien Leith into the winner's spot in last year's comp? Have your say below.

User comments

Anyone who enters any competition will hopefully have a support group! And of course their support group is going to vote for them and why not. It is time everyone grew up!! When one enters a competition it takes all that they have got to win and that includes their support group. SO WHY ALL THE BLOODY FUSS?????

What is wrong with media these days? They're always trying to make Australia look great. I'm not saying that it isn't. I love Australia. Honestly who cares if an Australian Idol Contestant goes to a different church or has a different or where their birth country was or even what their skin colour is. A lot of people I have heard dissed Tarisai and Jessica Mauboy because of their skin colour. Even past Idol Emily. As long as they have their citizenship certificate and passport it means they're true Aussies!! Idol Damien Leith has been dissed by media because of his background, his birth country! I say give the Idols a rest!!

for a start! it is not called australian idol, it is called immorgant idol becuse they are letting non- australian citizens into the compotion and than allowing them to win! it's not fair to jesica balboy who is pure australian while damian leith wasnt even australian.he shouldnt been alowed to even compete. as for the A.O.G churches..... shame on you! you are the people who make australian idol look bad and you cheat to "encouage" people to vote to keep only "churchies" in. what about the people who are really trying to entain the crowds and do it for real? people have forgotten about the real true meaning about why australian idol is really there. take guy sabastian for an instance! he is a christian but his pastor didnt encourage people to vote for him! NO, he gave the people updates on how he was going on the tv show. he was going for real. that's why he is still so successful. i think australian idol needs to go off air and keep all of the churches to stop cheating. SHAME!!!

Who actually was the lame brain that said you shouldnt mix religion and politics, now music as well??????? Why dont we just add the weather and the kids to that, makes just as much sense. Sure there is a deeper subject about fighting for what is right and righteousness maybe "religion" but its only when selfishness gets in the way, then it becomes wrong-ous-ness and thats were the political aspect finds its way in. Ever heard the phrase "Politically correct"???? I think the people who say religion and politic dont mix are the ones that dont have any answers. Who was the first politician????? Moses - remember God gave him the law and he was the first Judge, guess nobody told him that you shouldnt mix religion and politics, just as well they also left out the music too. Come on...........

i gotta say this soem of the most boring stories i have ever read

At no time this year or any other year since Australian Idol has been broadcasted on Ten has any Pastors from Hillsong have ever told or encouraged it's members to vote for any contestant on Idol.

There is absolutely no difference with any group be it a church, sports club, high school

Stacking does not seem fair and that is exactly what has been done. Australia is too smart and sees through it. Bye

NO I dnt think its wrong who cares if ppl frm hillsong or anyother church vote for australian they only vote because they want to vote not because they are forced to be voted or not because the pastor of the church asks them to vote all this

I find it ironic that a church who beleive in a God they can't see encourage their members to spend valuable $$$'s "voting" in a competition which has NO transparency, NO credibility and for all intensive purposes apears to be little more than a (very lucrative) revenue raising exercise for the telephone company sponsoring the show.

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