‘Glee’ focuses on issues kids face every day

Everyone faces trials growing up, especially in high school. The Fox network has developed a unique show that focuses on trials and issues kids face in high school, but with a certain musical twist. The show is “GLEE,” which airs on Fox Tuesdays at 8 p.m. “‘GLEE’ follows a group of eager and ambitious students as they strive to outshine their singing competition while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High.” The show coves issues ranging from self-confidence to homosexuality. “I feel as though ‘GLEE’ deals with real life issues that are pushed to the side many times,” said junior Rachel Wilkins, who watches “GLEE” regularly. “I feel as an adult and as a Christian I can watch it and enjoy it for the entertainment value and I don’t have to take all the things said and done and apply it to my own life.” Many Christians have issues with the morality on the show. After seeing the “Britney/Brittany” episode (aired Sept. 28, 2010) in which mostly Britney Spears songs were featured, a Christian would definitely raise an eyebrow. “Sometimes the show pushes the boundaries and gets a little carried away when trying to be edgy and covering taboo topics,” said Wilkins. “When they did the “Britney/Brittany” episode I felt like they took a really good number, ‘Toxic,’ and ruined it with the reactions from the crowd.” These reactions were very sexual and blatantly inappropriate. But not every episode of “GLEE” is like that. The episode titled “Grilled Cheesus” (aired Oct. 5, 2010), by the title alone appears sacrilegious, but really portrayed what religion may look like in a public school. The character Emma Pillsbury, played by Jayma Mays, is the school’s guidance counselor and she gives Finn Hudson, played by Cory Monteith, this advice pertaining to his questions about religion and God: “The big questions are really big for a reason—they’re hard, but you know what? Absolutely everybody struggles with them.” Quotes like this force people to think, and even though the show is not written from a Christian perspective it still brings up striking questions. “I believe Christians can watch ‘GLEE’, but watch it with discernment,” said freshman Steve Horton. “We need to be aware of what is represented in the music, and every other aspect of the show. If the show starts to manipulate your views then you should not watch it.”