When Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson got in some hot water for his controversial comments about homosexuality and race, some Christians saw it as another example of something they’d long believed to be true: mainstream culture simply cannot abide conservative beliefs.
Whether this actually serves as an example of culture’s low tolerance for faith, the issue is only going to get more prominent. A number of recent and upcoming reality television shows starring Christians are getting attention, and you can bet they’ll bring with them plenty of views that people will be debating at great length.
###Preachers of LA
The stars of Oxygen’s show live large. Their lavish lifestyles have drawn plenty of criticism (Bishop T.D. Jakes called the show “junk”), but the pastors say they’re just presenting a different side of the Gospel.
###Ed Young
The Texas Fellowship Church Pastor is considering an offer to put his family’s 7,100 square foot mansion and personal assistants in front of A&E’s cameras for what’s being pitched as a “Christianized Kardashians.”
###Thicker Than Water
Bravo follows the opulent life of musician/minister Ben Tankard and family. They call themselves the Black Brady Bunch, but we don’t recall the Brady Bunch having hisand- hers Mercedes.
###Snake Salvation
National Geographic’s series about snake-handling pastors came back into the light this spring when one of the ministers who had been featured died of a venomous snake bite.