Is American Idol Chris Sligh Christian Enough?

28 year old Chris Sligh is one of the final 12 American Idol contestants this year, the show's 6^th season. Nowhere have people been paying more attention to Sligh's American Idol than in Greenville, South Carolina, Sligh's hometown located about 100 miles away from Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to a report from the Associated Press, while most of Greenville's residents are very enthusiastic about Chris Sligh's performances every week, some are concerned about where his fight to become the next American Idol isn't diminishing his faith in Christianity.

Bob Jones University, the well known fundamentalist university located right in Greenville, and Chris Sligh attended there for many years. Jonathan Pait, a spokesman for the school is quoted by the AP as saying "We really are somewhat disappointed with the direction he has gone musically."

On the official American Idol web site, Chris Sligh lists Jesus as his top hero, followed by his dad and two others. However it is the only mention of his faith to be found in his bio. During his performances every week, Sligh has been singing traditional pop songs such as "Endless Love," "Wanna Be Loved," "Trouble" and "Typical."

Although some have called Chris Sligh's faith into question, most of the residents of Greenville are standing by him and belief that his Christian faith will never leave him. For two years Sligh has served as music leader at Seacoast Church prior to making his run to be the next American Idol. The pastor of Seacoast Church, Chris Surratt, is quoted by the AP as saying "He [Sligh]'s not going to back away from the fact that he's a Christian. He's going to let that shine through in what he does."

Cheryl Greene, a professor at North Greenville University where Sligh studied voice training after leaving Bob Jones University and who worked with Sligh for much of that time believes singing pop songs doesn't effect one's faith. "It would be like me being in a jazz band," she is reported as saying. "You can be a Christian or non-Christian. It's a style of music."