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Most of us wouldn't call it unChristian, but his mom and dad might, being extreme fundamentalists. After all, Chris is up there on stage (Heavens forbid!) dancing...sort of. And staying in a hotel that has a bar. And being in close proximity to loose women (Paula and Antonella.)

I'm sorry I can't recall too many specifics from his MySpace. I got the impression that he's maybe not so much arrogant in tone as insecure and complaining, but anyway, he has problems dealing with who he is and where he's going...not unlike millions of other 20-somethings. It seems on MySpace he talked about lots of jobs that he quit because he didn't like the boss. He even quit a church music ministry because they brought in a new music director. Lots of personality conflicts in this young man's life.

Being raised "apart", (and abroad--in Germany--where at age 16 his "best friend" was a 28 year old soldier who had been "saved" by Chris's dad's ministry) in the strict fundamentalist tradition, it seems he does not have the people skills that "heathen" kids might have. He might as well be Amish, or something.

In his blog, he came across to me as being very whiny. And strangely undisciplined. He said in his blog two years ago that his main goal was to lose weight. Instead, he has gained weight.

There is definitely a conflict with where he is now and where family expected him to be. To make things worse, he has an older, favored brother who is following the dad in ministry.

I guess you would call it a huge chip on Chris's shoulder. IOW, this guy is hard to get along with. How would that translate, touring the country with 9 free spirits?

Enough of my psychologizing for tonight.

Chris Sligh has a good voice and I wish him luck. (But wait...fundamentalists don't believe in luck.) So then, I wish him good karma. (Something Sanjaya has.)

Enough of my psychologizing for tonight.

Promise???? Your characterization of "extreme fundamentalist Christian" made me laugh. A hotel with a bar??? Get real!!! I suppose he shouldn't be caught dead in a supermarket that sells liquor! Doing a few little dance steps on a stage?? OMG, better gather the deacons together!!! Wow! I'm not sure I've ever heard so many misonceptions of Christianity, or in your words, "extreme fundamentalist" Christianity, in my life! (It sounds like it might be fun sport!!) Oh, and the "loose women" comment! LOL

My husband was raised in Guam and some of his friends were older military guys. He didn't really fit into either world -- the military (his dad was a Continental Airlines employee) or the Guamanians. I don't see anything weird about Chris not quite fitting in and having friends who were older. Life can be hard for missionary kids.

You may be right about him having problems getting along and not finding his niche, but that may not be unusual for a second son and one who is obviously gifted as a vocalist. It seems to me that AI is giving him his best chance to make that career a reality. Of course he'll have to learn how to get along with all sorts of artsy people... But wait! Some of them might be gay... :o)

As far as the other "free spirits" you mention, Jordin Sparks goes to my church here in Phoenix. If you read the comments made by each contestant in AI, there are other Christians in the Final 12 as well. I'm sure they all stay huddled in their hotel rooms in fear of glimpsing the hotel bar or loose women.

And as far as I know, there's nothing in the Bible prohibiting being on a stage. sheesh!

OK, at least I see where you're coming from. I think Chris also posted being a rock musician and a Christian are not diameterically opposed, or some such philosophy. (Which, when you think about it, is a hilarious comment to make.) I don't think Chris is neccessarily arrogant more than confident in his craft. He's a good singer and song writer. I see him as actually pretty witty and sometimes a quick wit can get you in trouble and have people thinking you're arrogant because they don't understand your humor. I do notice he is not very good "live" infront of a camera and does not have a good sence about stage presence...but that will come with time.

There is only one thing that qualifies one as Christian after that, the struggle.

I got the impression that he's maybe not so much arrogant in tone as insecure and complaining, but anyway, he has problems dealing with who he is and where he's going...not unlike millions of other 20-somethings. It seems on MySpace he talked about lots of jobs that he quit because he didn't like the boss. He even quit a church music ministry because they brought in a new music director. Lots of personality conflicts in this young man's life.

Arrogance is a cover for extreme insecurity and unhappiness.