‘Glee’ and ‘Modern Family’ Talk About God
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Religion and faith have been off limits on most scripted television shows, even those with characters who were members of the clergy. Christmas episodes are generally about Santa Claus and family, not about worship. So it was a very welcome surprise to see episodes of “Glee” and “Modern Family” that engaged in an entertaining but very real way with issues of belief. In “Glee,” the burn on a grilled cheese sandwich looked to Finn like Jesus. And when Kurt’s father was in a coma, other characters had a chance to explain what they believed as they tried to support him and he explained why he does not believe in God. On “Modern Family,” Jay and his new wife Gloria argue because she wants him to come with her to church and he wants to play golf. In the middle is her son, who gets very rattled by uncertainty over who and what to believe. Both episodes are available on Hulu.
I hope families use these programs to begin a discussion of what they believe, why they believe it, and how that compares to family and friends. Maybe then the next survey on our religious knowledge will produce some higher scores.
I, too, am happy to see that worship is being addressed on mainstream television series. My legal name is Santa Claus, and I’m a full-time volunteer advocate for millions of vulnerable children. I’m also a Christian Monk and Bishop, as St. Nicholas was many centuries ago. When I read about folks who are concerned about a perceived conflict between Santa and Christ at Christmas-time, I write to express my view that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, not the crass, commercial, secular spectacle it has become in many places, and that the greatest gift one can give is love, not presents. I would like to see Santa express those beliefs on television these days. I appreciate the sentiments embodied in the original “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Carol” (1951), and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Blessings to all, Santa Claus (The Rt. Rev. Santa Claus, OAC)
Thank you, Santa!