Britain’s pop stars are cursing the success of the Lord’s Prayer on the
billboard charts. Sir Cliff Richard (see link #3 below), a Christian, is an aging pop
musician with 14 No. 1 hits dating back to the 1950s. His latest hit, the Lord’s
Prayer set to the music of Auld Lang Syne, has spent three weeks at the top of the charts
and probably will remain there through Christmas, Reuters said. The song’s success
was unlikely because radio stations initially refused to play it and Richard’s
recording label turned it down. Christians responded by playing it in their churches and
schools and buying it in droves.

Younger musicians say the song is of poor quality and exploits people’s religious
beliefs. "A complete pile of [dung]," Spice Girl’s Mel C said.
"It’s put together very cheaply. And it’s ripping off fans," band
member Sporty Spice said. British singer George Michael has been most critical. "I
think the way the single and the way it’s been dealt with has been vile. Just knowing
there was a Christian campaign for it—I think it is so exploitive of people’s
religion."

Richard maintains a clean image untarnished by scandal. "I have just been
astounded by the knives that have come out on a personal level," he said. "I am
the one who has been dubbed the ‘Nice Boy’ of pop. Suddenly I find myself
hated." All proceeds from the song go to charity.