Saturday, November 12, 2011

Where Glee's "The First Time" Went Too Far

'Glee' -- Episode 3 of Season 5 -- "The First Time" -- Part 2


For any 'Glee' fans out there, we just want to clarify that this post is not about hating on 'Glee' -- it's about looking at the content of this week's episode and comparing it to truth and reality. Many of you have heard us say that "the issue is not unanswered questions, this issue is unquestioned answers -- the answers that our culture gives us that Glee gives us that we believe without questioning their validity." Today we are going to look at some of the unquestioned answers in episode 3 of season 5 of 'Glee' entitled "The First Time."

  1. Unquestioned answer #1: Artie says, “as a friend I support your strange aversion to fun…” Axis wants to know: "Really? Staying a virgin is a strange aversion to fun? Is sexuality just about fun and just about pleasure?"
  2. Unquestioned answer #2: Artie finishes off his monologue with, “How do you expect to convey the human experience…when you haven’t even opened yourself up to one of humanity’s basic and most primal ones?” Axis says: According to this logic, if Broadway was doing a production of The Lion King, the guy playing Simba would need to become a lion for a couple of weeks so that he can accurately convey the part. Does this sound right to you?
  3. Unquestioned answer #3: Sebastian hooks up Blaine and Kurt with some fake ID's so they can go to a "gay bar". Axis says: are fake ID's legal? Considering the definition of a "fake ID" includes falsifying information -- probably not!
  4. Unquestioned answer #4: Sexuality exists for two people who love each other. Axis says: Nope – sexuality exists for two married people who love each other – big difference.
The entire episode has two foundational wrong assumptions:

Wrong Assumption #1: sexuality is okay outside of marriage. Axis says: If you believe the Bible is accurate in what it teaches you understand that this assumption is false. In the second chapter of Genesis before the Fall, Adam and Eve are brought together by God and become one flesh. Sexuality is created by God for two people within a marriage relationship.

Wrong Assumption #2: sexuality is simple. Axis says: It’s not just a matter of making a decision of whether you love someone or not. Having sex affects the entire person – it affects someone physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

At Axis, we believe a correct view of sexuality is important because it affects the entire person. When the Bible talks about a husband and wife "becoming one flesh" it's talking about two people dying to themselves and becoming one person. Sexuality is very powerful because it connects people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Biblically sex is meant for marriage, and is considered morally wrong outside of that boundary. But personally, when two people become intimate on that level and then break-up, the damage is also much deeper.

The biggest problem with this episode of 'Glee' is the fact that it devalues sex. By talking about it as the "basic primal experience," an opportunity for fun, and something that everyone does -- it makes it sound like sex isn't really that big of a deal. Even when the show talks about waiting, it's not because of ethics or morals, it's because of selfish reasons. In fact, this episode of 'Glee' makes sex seem a lot like ice-cream. If you want a treat -- go for it. If you don't want to get fat -- wait. In both cases sex becomes something we consume rather than the most beautiful part of a marriage relationship. It becomes all about "I instead of all about "us."

Do you agree? You may comment below...

Tomorrow we will take one more look at this episode, don't miss it!

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