Glee?

Let me start by saying I am not trying to offend anyone, just expressing a concern that is on my mind. I have heard many different times and felt the hype and excitement for the return of the award winning TV series "Glee". Facebook friends have posted status updates stating their anticipation of the series return, bloggers have blogged their adoration, and teenagers are all a twitter. I must admit, I myself have been intrigued and thought, "I should check the show out." So, I set up my DVR to record the FOX series and see what all the gush is about.

You have to know that I am a choir girl. I began singing in Junior High choirs and joined a group called "Impressions" ( I think, that was our name). I loved choirs. I loved to sing in a group. I continued in High School. Freshman year I did Varsity Choir, then onto a group called "Expressions", and participated in all things song. With my history of choir days, or rather "Glee" days, I was interested in this show. The show seemed to base the story line around such choir groupies. I thought, "Fun. I can definitely relate!"

(the Proof)

Now, I have been pretty under the weather lately, and today I finally took a sick day. I rarely watch TV in the daytime. If the TV happens to be on, it is something PBS to entertain Marshall on a raining day, or maybe the Wii might roll for a minute or twenty. But honestly, the TV usually rests in the day. But, today was different, I sat on the couch. Different. I turned on the TV. Different. I proceeded to watch the DVR of "Glee". DIFFERENT.

Here's my opinion: High production value. High talent. Great looking CAST. Incredible singing and witty writing. All this wrapped up with a neat bow embossed with the words DECEPTION across the front . It was a Madonna theme. The writing was carefully weaved in and out of Madonna serenades and philosophies. Even the extras could be seen in the background reflecting the different looks of Madonna's career. Like I said, high production value. Beautiful "high school" girls discussed together their opinions of losing their virtue while a high school teacher listened in. At the end of their scene, it was concluded that high school sex is totally acceptable and actually will now be celebrated through a song. Two main characters then proceeded to burst into a song, perfectly performed and choreographed, about their lust for each other and how they were ready to be immoral as long as it was with the right person. WHAT!?!?! This show is for teenagers, preteens, a general audience?? It falls into the time slot following the smash hit American Idol, and therefore aims to hook millions of viewers of all ages and backgrounds!?! I won't go into all the other scenes and clever writing which ultimately teaches everything contrary to what I desire to instill in my youth. I will just say they included the song "Like a Virgin". WHAT?!!? No details here, enough said.

Unfortunately, I regret to say, I watched the whole episode. I was fuming. Mad because such witty writing, such beautiful characters, such talent, such gleam, and it was poisoning me by degrees. Poisoning our children. Telling them how things ought to be. Glorifying immorality through upbeat tunes, darling wardrobes, perfect hair, good acting, shining teeth, funny lines, great chemistry, and so forth.

This is how the adversary works. He takes something good and poisons it with deceit. He will tell all truths and then throw in the lie. He will serve you a delicious shake with the yummiest, freshest ingredients, and add just a sprinkle of poison. "Come on," he will entice. "It looks so delicious! Everything is prepared just right. Just take one sip. It is so appealing. You can handle that sprinkle of poison. It will satisfy you. It will fill you up. It will quench your thirst. Come on. Take a swig. It won't hurt. Ignore the bad, embrace the shake." Would you drink the shake??

Maybe I should be less of a prude. Maybe I should say, "Oh, lighten up, its just in good fun." Maybe I shouldn't blog about it, but come on!! Let's stand up and FIGHT!!! Who's on the Lord's Side? Who? Let's turn off junk like GLEE. Let's BE STRONG enough to say, "Wow, that's highly entertaining, but not appropriate to log into my mind, FOREVER. Not worth my salvation. Not worth my time!!! Not worth my family!!"

President Uchtdorf gave a great talk about living our lives off the strait and narrow by simply digressing by a few degrees. He said,

"Small errors and minor drifts away from the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring sorrowful consequences into our lives. It is therefore of critical importance that we become self-disciplined enough to make early and decisive corrections to get back on the right track and not wait or hope that errors will somehow correct themselves."

Although I may seem to be ranting just a bit; I feel as a mother and as a daughter of God, I can do simple things like turning OFF an inappropriate TV show, a movie, a song, closing a glossy gossip magazine, and so forth. I can do that and try to remain on a straighter path. I falter in so many, many ways. However, one thing I will not fail to do is simply putting my finger on the tiny, red power button and apply a slight amount of pressure. Oh, the power behind the OFF button.