Glee, Jesus and talking religion

I have to admit last night I was worried when Cory Monteith, of the hit FOX show Glee, announced he saw the face of God on his grilled cheese sandwich. Not to worry, I have a sense of humor but I had spent the previous six hours of my day crafting an essay on millennialism and evangelicalism and history and education…blah, blah, blah. By the time I tuned into Glee all I wanted was a good time.

I got even more worried when Monteith said,

“…in return Chessy Lord, I promise we’ll honor you this week in glee club.”

The glee club’s assignment was to sing about spirituality. I wanted the episode to be beautiful. I think it might have fallen short. I guess I can’t expect too much from a bunch of high school kids when it comes to religious discourse.

Just once I’d like to see a thoughtful discussion about the Divine.

Actually I’d like to see a thoughtful discussion about religion in real life that doesn’t involve me at Starbucks with a close friend. Though, those chats are amazing and fulfilling I want them to happen with more people and more often. I’m actually due for another one of these chats they feed the soul. Remember what my favorite writer said, “supplement, supplement, supplement.”

Anyway, I understand Chris Colfer’s disbelief. I even sympathize with it. I just think the entire premise of praying to a grilled cheese is absurd. Yes, I know it’s suppose to be funny, and it is until you look at how Glee is mocking prayer.

I know it’s funny.

I even laughed throughout the program but I somewhat naively want religious discourse to have an ounce of respect. That my belief is just as valid as the next person’s disbelief. Sure, Kurt gains appreciation for his friend’s spirituality I just wish they had gone about it differently.

I guess I should concede that the overall message was beautiful: empathy for those in pain, faith in something, anything bigger than yourself. I especially liked the sentiment of Kurt’s friends taking turns singing and praying, because they are from “different denominations and religions so one of [them] is bound to be right.” Too bad they didn’t show them taking turns.

Highlights:

Chris Colfer’s rendition of “I want to hold your hand”

And how could I forget Mark Salling’s prelude to belting out Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young”: “I’ve got no problem with the guy. I’m a total Jew for Jesus…What I don’t like seeing is people using J-Money to cramp everybody else’s style. Because it seems to me that true spirituality, or whatever you want to call it, is about enjoying the life you’ve been given.”

You’re right Mark Salling (well, the writer’s who craft your dialogue are). People shouldn’t use Jesus to “cramp everybody else’s style.”