Are Pentecostals vote-stacking Australian Idol?

From the department of low-culture:

Australian Idol finalists have been gagged from talking about Christianity.

The final six, who made a public appearance at Sydney's Motor Show yesterday, may not answer questions about their religion or personal beliefs.

Channel Ten's publicity team, acting on instructions from the show's maker Fremantle Media, has cancelled media interviews that broach the subject.

After television reports suggested some finalists were being supported by a huge Christian voting audience, the makers of the show have tried to distance themselves from the issue.

Although no wrongdoing has been proved (most Idol contestants have huge communities supporting them, whether it be a country town or a church community) television chiefs are concerned about the effect of the stories on the "street cred" of the show.

"They promised the Idols they wouldn't have to talk about Christianity," a spokeswoman for Channel Ten said.

The only group of Australian churches who would support a TV show that glorifies vacuous, talentless and soul-destroying pop music would be the Pentecostals.

And that includes you Ron ;).