GCB: Why are we silent?
Watching a whole episode of ABC's GCB, based on the book Good Christian B*tches, is like sitting through an hour of offensive blond jokes–only GCB is not funny. It mocks Christian women, stereotyping them as calculating, over-sexed, hypocritical, egotistical, silly and shallow. I had to watch because I'm not comfortable offering an opinion based on second hand knowledge. But I won't watch again.
Watching a whole episode of ABC's GCB, based on the book Good Christian B*tches, is like sitting through an hour of offensive blond jokes–only GCB is not funny. It mocks Christian women, stereotyping them as calculating, over-sexed, hypocritical, egotistical, silly and shallow. I had to watch because I'm not comfortable offering an opinion based on second hand knowledge. But I won't watch again.
GCB is particularly offensive because it mocks my personal faith and blasphemes what I hold as sacred. The Office was a parody on different personalities of people we work with; I see myself and others depicted. I can laugh. GCB is a parody on people's deepest held beliefs about life and God, a faith that Iranian pastor Youcef Nardarkhani may lose his life over. Is the faith of millions really fodder for a nonsensical comedy?
For example, picture a funeral where the Christian widower, instead of mourning the passing of his dear wife of many years, can't wait to jump into bed with another woman, of course, a pillar of the church. The funeral dirge is none other than Amazing Grace but with a new set of words, an irreverent rendition. The slave trader, who penned these words as an expression of his grief over years of trafficking in human flesh, must have turned in his grave. Is this beloved hymn fodder for sacrilege? I don't think so.
Now picture a church fundraiser. A famous singer, a name you would recognize, croons This Is The Gospel According To Me. I wanted to say to her, "Well, dear, you did not bring the gospel that changed millions of lives throughout history. You are not Jesus. The eras of time are not separated by your birthday: Before you and after you. Your song, particularly in that context, offended me." Nothing is sacred on this show. Anything is fair game to mock.
I found the stereotyping of Christian women insulting, intolerant, unkind, and just plain wrong. Sure there are women, and men, in any group that shame and disappoint. Groups of people are just that, groups of imperfect people. But only Christian women could be characterized with such venom in America today and people think it's funny. I want to ask, "What is wrong with you?" Can you imagine a show that stereotyped and mocked Jewish women, black women, or Muslim women? Why is such blatant prejudice acceptable?
As I watched, I listed the sponsors so I could remember who makes this show possible. I'm surprised at these companies. I've been a faithful customer of one of them but I'm cutting up my card and shopping at the competitor down the street. I'll use a different soap, drink a different drink, and buy a different car now. Why should I invest in companies who mock my faith?
Yes, they are free to sponsor this kind of show, but is it appropriate, kind, wise, and responsible? I'm free to not watch it. But I'm grieved that some will watch it, adding to false caricatures of Christians as a whole. I'm free to spend my money elsewhere. I just informed the store where I usually shop that I won't be shopping there again, but I did so graciously.
I can usually find something redeemable in someone's attempt at art but not with GCB. I've never considered myself as activist, but GCB kindles fire in my belly. Why are we silent?
Sue Edwards
Dr. Edwards is Assistant Professor of Christian Education (Specialization: Women's Studies) at Dallas Theological Seminary and holds degrees from Trinity University, DTS, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the author of New Doors in Ministry to Women, A Fresh Model for Transforming Your Church, Campus, or Mission Field and Women's Retreats, A Creative Planning Guide. She has 30 years experience in Bible teaching, directing women's ministry, retreat and conference speaking, training teams and teachers, and writing curriculum. Married to David for 34 years, she especially enjoys extended family gatherings and romping with her four grandchildren.
5 Comments
Visitor
Christians make Christians look bad, not tv
The GCB show does not mock Christian women but mocks those who pose as Christians.
Instead of being mad at ABC for making Christians look bad (which is not even true) people should be mad at “Christians” who make Christians look bad.
People opposed to or offended by GCB are just having a hard time looking in the mirror (stereotypes would not exist if they did not have some shred of truth to them).
Instead of “Christians” getting upset about these stereotypes portrayed on television, they could better spend their time doing something about these stereotypes in real life if they are so truly concerned about the image of Christianity.
It s much more damaging to our faith for these real-life stereotypes to walk around making true believers look bad than for a show to poke fun at hypocrites who pose as Christians.
Sandra Glahn
Thanks for Watching First
Sue, I appreciate that you actually watched the show before offering commentary.
I must take issue with the commenter who writes, "People opposed to or offended by GCB are just having a hard time looking in the mirror." To this I would say: The fact that Sue herself was offended by the show proves the error of this statement. She is most certainly nothing like the women portrayed on TV.
Another statement in the comment I found particularly offensive: "Instead of 'Christians' getting upset about these stereotypes portrayed on television, they could better spend their time doing something about these stereotypes in real life if they are so truly concerned about the image of Christianity." The use of quotation marks around the word "Christian" suggests this commenter thinks it is the so-called Christians, the hypocrites themselves, who take offense. That is quite an accusation. And who's to say those offended are not actually spending their lives doing something about the stereotypes? The Lord said wheat and tares will grow together till the end. We can spend a lifetime of teaching and serving, but the hypocrites will still be among us. But that should not make the true followers guilty by association.
I guess the question I have about the show is this: Do they portray true Christ-following believers along with the flagrant hypocrites so people can see the difference?
Sue Edwards
Great points, Sandi
Imagine media that actually portrayed true Christ-followers, warts and all, but people giving their lives to serve others and attempting to live out the gospel with honesty and grace, however imperfectly. What a different kind of "show" that would be.
Visitor
Take a closer look
People opposed to or offended by GCB are having a hard time looking in the mirror, not because they are anything like the GCB characters, but because they don´t like their faith being put under any kind of scrutiny and cannot accept someone pointing out imperfections in the Christian culture today. I would much rather watch a show that portrays relatable characters than cheesy, phony, watered down versions of Christians. If viewers would pay attention to the show instead of focusing on being judgmental, up-tight, and easily offended (another Christian stereotype) they would notice that GCB really does have true Christ-following believers as characters portrayed as the “good guys”: Heather, Amanda, and Pastor Tutor who serve as a great realistic example and contrast to the hypocrite Christians on the show portrayed as the “bad guys”. So, as Christians why don´t we go about our discrepancies (which we really should not have) with the show in a more Christ-like manner than going on attack mode or even follow the ultimate Christian prescription of turning the other cheek?
Visitor
In some ways, yes, it is a
In some ways, yes, it is a misrepresentation of Christians, but there are Christians like that out there. There are people who think that they're better than everyone else because they're a Christian. These are the people who give Christans a bad name and these stereotypes. Amanda Voughn, I think, more accurately portrays Christians. She has very similar goals in life and realizes her mistakes and tries to make good on them, not unlike the people at the church I go to, Eastlake Community Church. Everyone is kind and friendly and on baptism days, hundreds of people get baptised (we are a big congregation and we take "come as you are" very very litterally. I'm talking sweats and pajamas.) and when they're through, everyone is all "Congratulations!" and you never knew you had so many friends. People you don't even know are so happy for you. Not to mention, if you read between the lines, each episode has a lesson. I love watching GCB with my mother and 3 sisters, all of whom are Christians and find this show hilarious. Learn to laugh. 😉 The people who brutally stripped the Native Americans of their land and culture were Christians, too. It's a new day. Soak up the sun. Besides, most people over 15 are aware of these stereotypes and knows that most aren't true. Most people. Not all. when my friends found out I was a Christian (not that I was keeping it from them), they thought I was gonna, like, have a seizure and start speaking in tongues. That's one of the things that makes the show so funny! They aren't making fun of Christians, just the stereotypes.