Religion Within Glee
The theme for the Glee Club during this episode was "Spirituality", this is easily the most religious episode to date. The students get to show their religious affiliation, when Kurt's father has a heart attack and ends up in a coma. They attempt to try and comfort Kurt by offering prayers for his father's recovery and this is when we find out that Kurt does not believe in God. This episode tackles the different issues that teenagers and even adults face when it comes to spirituality and religion in todays world.
This episode deals with Christianity, Judaism and Atheism; which shows two sides of religion, the believers and the non-believers.
"Grilled Cheesus"
(Season 2, Episode 3)
The episode starts when Finn discovers the face of Jesus imprinted into his grilled cheese. Finn prays to the grilled chesse so Kurt's dad can get better; also, the other members of the Glee Club try to offer prayer and comfort to Kurt, but he do not want any of it. Kurt says he don't believe because God has let him down time and time again. This upsets some members and leaves them feeling offended, espeically Quinn who is Chrisitian and very religious.
Christianity: We see how Christianity is portrayed in this episode when Mercedes takes Kurt to her church. Mercedes dedicates a song to Kurt's dad "Bride Over Troubed Water" and although Kurt doesn't believe it shows viewers that people can be compassionate to others of different faiths during hardships.
Atheism: Kurt and Sue, the two Atheist characthers say in this episode that they don't believe in God because of hardships that they have faced in younger years. Glee did not force these characters to believe in any religious system which was widely accepted by viewes because in real life you cannot force something upon someone if they do not believe or want it.
Judaism: At the time, the two Jewish characters, Puck and Rachel try to give Kurt comfort by singing two songs that relate to Judaism and belief in general. Rachel sings "Papa Can You Hear Me" from Yentl and Puck sing's Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young".
The Music
"I Look to You" sung by Mercedes Jones
Mercedes sings this song once she finds out Kurt's dad is sick. This song is obivously about faith and God, after he performance, Kurt reveals that he does not believe in God.
"Only the Good Die Young"
sung by Puck Puckerman
Puck decides to sing this song, saying that he is only performing songs by Jewish artists. Puck's charachter embodies the lyrics to this song - getting Quinn Fabray who is Chrisitan pregnant. Billy Joel sings about Virgina, a Catholic girl who won't date him because of her religion.
"Papa Can You Hear Me"
sung by Rachel Berry
Rachel, a Jewish character sings this to Kurt, who is upset that his friends are praying for his father. This song does not relate to one religion but acknowledges an afterlife, that loved ones can still look over on us even if they are not physically here with us.
"I Want to Hold Your Hand"
sung by Kurt Hummel
This song is not religious but emphasizes the fact that Kurt doesn't need to believe in anything as long as he has his friends and family. As Kurt performs this song, clips of him and his dad is played ending with Kurt at this bed side.
"Losing My Religion" sung by Finn Hudson
Finn sings this song after going through a cycle of believing and not, saying that it wasn't his grilled chesse making things happen, that it was him; therefore, he eats it, saying he has lost his religion.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" sung by Mercedes Jones and church choir
Mercedes invites Kurt to church and dedicates this song to his dad. The lyrics of this song talks about being there for someone which relates to this episode as Kurt needs his friends to help get past this tough patch.
"One of Us" sung by New Directions
The Glee Club sings this at the end of the episode even though there was conflicting views throughout. Coach Sylvester, after telling Will they were not to sing religious songs changes her mind. The lyrics to song asks you questions about your relationship with God. This is a great way to end an episode about faith and beliefs because it do not discriminate, it simply asks if there is a God.