When the “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell recently predicted the departure of the contestant Jermaine Sellers, the young singer shook his head in disagreement. “I know God,’’ he replied, pointing upward.

Two days later, when Mr. Sellers failed to make the cut, he still had faith. “What God has for me is for me,’’ he said. “In God there is no failure.’’

Mr. Sellers is not alone in his belief that God pays attention to reality television contests. New research shows that most Americans believe God is directly involved in their personal affairs, and that the good or bad things that happen are “part of God’s plan,’’ according to a report in the March issue of the journal Sociology of Religion.

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Movies & Television • Religion & Culture • * International News & Commentary • America/U.S.A.

1. NoVA Scout wrote: It is tempting to be a bit snarky and comment that mortals never know what God’s television viewing habits are on any given evening, but, at least on the printed page, the comments of the contestant should be taken at face value.  How one does on a tawdry show has nothing to do with one’s spiritual success.  God will, if this young man lets Him, guide him to success richer than what he could achieve in such a narrow and meaningless context. March 13, 9:55 pm | [comment link]

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© 2012 Kendall S. Harmon. All rights reserved.

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