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<\/a><\/div>\nYesterday, I drove up to Boston to meet with Erik Wickstrom<\/a> at the Unitarian Universalist Association<\/a>. He\u2019s one heck of a facilitator and will be leading a conversation with our leadership as we finalize a five year plan for the church.<\/p>\n On the way as our local radio station, WRNI<\/a> began to fade near where we pass the 280 loop, I switched over to Boston\u2019s WBUR<\/a>. I was listening to Tom Ashbrook\u2019s On Point.<\/a> I swear Mr Ashbrook has to be one of the best interviewers going. And generally I relish those opportunities to hear him burrow into a subject with knowledgeable guests. Most of the time I get a couple of minutes here or there, never hearing a beginning, nor an end. This time I caught the larger part of a program.<\/p>\n And I have to admit, I wouldn\u2019t have stayed with the show of the day except there I was in that pretty monotonous space between Providence and Boston when one is not clinging to the coast\u2026<\/p>\n The episode, Selling Youth Sexuality<\/a> turned on the uproar following several cast members from the hit television show Glee doing a soft-core shoot for the men\u2019s magazine, GQ. The points of discussion started with an investigation of how appropriate it is for young adults who play teenagers on a popular television show should appear in various highly provocative and barely clad poses in High School settings in a men\u2019s magazine. The conversation went in several directions. <\/p>\n Because of my lifestyle (as they say) as a parish minister I\u2019m not at home weeknight evenings enough to follow regular programming. I have been aware of Glee, but have never seen an episode.<\/p>\n Except I did catch that there was going to be a show inspired in some manner by the Rocky Horror Picture Show<\/i>, an old favorite.<\/p>\n And, then, it turned out, that show was going to be on last night.<\/p>\n And, then by additional coincidence, Jan had heard of it, also likes the Rocky Horror Picture Show<\/i> and had heard of Glee.<\/p>\n And, I was home. The only evening this week not scheduled for some meeting or other.<\/p>\n So, we watched it.<\/p>\n Loved the cameos with Meatloaf and Barry Bostwick. <\/p>\n The music was good. And there was even a pretty racy rendition of \u201ctouch-a touch-a touch me\u201d that I quite liked\u2026<\/p>\n The plot, well, there was something that passed for a plot. The only character that had entered my consciousness before seeing a show was the villain, Sue (played by Jane Lynch). They were all pleasant enough, and I suppose with time I could figure out who was whom. I noticed and appreciated there was some sort of tip of the hat to diversity. <\/p>\n But, I was there for the music. And as I said, I wasn\u2019t disappointed.<\/p>\n Then, when it was over, I did find myself thinking about the Tom Ashbrook show.<\/p>\n I understand we Americans have a more conservative approach to sexuality on television than elsewhere in the so-called developed world. And I think I am a bit more open about these matters than the average American.<\/p>\n But, I have to admit, for a show whose target demographic is mostly kids, which I believe is so, I found I was a tad uncomfortable.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not so foolish as to not think High School kids and younger aren\u2019t obsessed with sex and sexuality.<\/p>\n It is a human thing, after all. And once the hormone\u2019s start pumping, well\u2026<\/p>\n But, there is also a socialization curve.\u00a0 <\/p>\n And the way the show tacked on a moral at the end about how maybe such a production as Rocky Horror<\/i> wouldn\u2019t really be appropriate for a public presentation in a High School, well, it was only tacked on, and was patently insincere\u2026<\/p>\n So, what to do?<\/p>\n Me, I\u2019m no fan of censorship. And if I were, I probably would be a bit more concerned with violence. I will spare you my rant on the evils of American football. But the commercials for professional wrestling that I have seen make me cringe\u2026<\/p>\n But, I sure hope parents are paying attention.<\/p>\n And, maybe, even, taking some responsibility for making viewing decisions and, what a thought, talking about values\u2026<\/p>\n And, perhaps, getting a little help along the way. Might even consider taking their kids with them to a church that is concerned with values within the context of human dignity.<\/p>\n Like this one.<\/a><\/p>\n Okay, I hear the preacher is a gasbag, although the music at worship is divine. But, to my point here, the lifespan faith development<\/a> program for children and youth (there\u2019s even programming for adults) is amazing\u2026<\/p>\n Or, if you\u2019re not near enough, you can find a list of such congregations around the country, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The deal is, its a dance. Find your part and play it with some gusto.<\/p>\n Be responsible.<\/p>\n And have a little fun.<\/p>\n
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