Okay, so my last post sought in media to show the crazy places people search for Jesus, usually all the time ignoring the real places he has promised to be. This post has similar title, but a dissimilar purpose.
For those of you that are not gleeks ((Did I mention that when I grew up, to gleek was to make spit shoot out of your mouth from below your tongue?)) (fans of the show Glee), Tuesday’s night episode was done with a spiritual theme. One of the plot lines was about the football player who discovered what he felt to be an image of Jesus in his grilled cheese. He named it Grilled Cheesus and began to pray to it, specifically that the sandwich would influence his girlfriend to allow him access to particular parts of her body.
And that got me to thinking, we Christians often wonder at how Muslims react to the idea of Muhammad appearing in any form of art, especially ones in which he is mocked or his image is used in a less than serious way. The crazy protests and threats of violence in response to a cartoon or two is rightly judged as ludicrous.
But I have a question: is it right that we Christians simply laugh along when we see our Lord and Savior’s image emblazoned into a grilled cheese sandwich and then depicted as a genie who grants teenage boys lustful wishes? Surely, we do not need to call for the death of Glee’s writers, but should we be disturbed by the mocking use of our Lords image and name in a show like this? After all the second commandment urges us not to misuse the Lord’s name. Does our laughter at such a portrayal truly reflect the respect we should have for our Lord and Savior? I know, you may think I am just a kill joy. But I think all too often in reaction to what we see as over-the-top religious rhetoric, we go to the other extreme, not caring about offensive portrayals of the true God in the least. I think our devotion to God should be reflected in being a little taken aback at such things. If one of our friends was mocked openly on National TV, we would be offended. Should it not be at least the same with our God?
I haven’t watched nor even heard of the program of which you speak, not even while channel surfing each night as I await access to the shower. I have at times heard stand up comics making fun of my Lord and faith in Him. It makes me very uncomfortable and sad for those who think little of their souls salvation. I do, as you know, have a tendency for silliness which believe it or not I try to keep in check having only little effect. Still, I look to those who reverently bow their head at the mention of Jesus Name and do so myself at least inwardly; I will try to develop the habit of being more obvious of the fact. And no. I do not laugh at Jocular Jesus. Larry.
I’m not going to lie. I watch Glee. It isn’t growing any brain cells, and I wouldn’t let my kids watch it. It is usually hilarious, irreverent, and entertaining, with great musical performances and sometimes is even thought provoking. So, when they tackled religion, well, I was a little scared. I do find some humor in the craziness that is ebay Jesus/Mary/Mohammad etc found on toast, poptart frosting, etc. It is ridiculous and absurd. Should I laugh, maybe not. But the thing that this episode did right – it showed that teens are coming at religion and adult responsibility for their beliefs and practices from all over the spectrum. They have exposure and experiences that have shaped their beliefs, or left them devoid of faith. Even Finn, who saw the grilled cheesus realized that God doesn’t work like a genie, and that religion is not about getting favors from the Big Guy. Maybe I just have a soft heart for teens in peril, but this show – with its extreme caricatures of highschoolers, makes me miss being around them in public school education. They are searching for people and gods to believe in and lean on. I liked being one of those people, and hopefully, through action and example more than words in that setting, pointing them to the true God.
I think it is interesting that when i put out a query about curriculum for jr/sr high sunday school a few weeks ago i had NO response. not one of my teacher, dce, or pastor friends had any ideas or experiences to share, or just didn’t care to answer. maybe just a coincidence, but it resonates to me – if we aren’t involved or concerned about spiritual development of young adults, i guess hollywood, liberal educators, and peers will have to take up the slack. maybe glee is more on point than even I give it credit for.