Big Brother: The Ultimate Test Of Christian Integrity

I’m not even going to sit here and try to lie to you — CBS’s Big Brother is my favorite show. Call it a guilty pleasure or not; I love it. The intense, slick, strategic gameplay you must have to come out victorious (and with $500k) is stunning. I’ve been tossing around the idea of applying to be on the next season. I think I have what it takes . . . plus, having the opportunity to represent the Kingdom of God to millions on live television and possible come out with enough cold, hard cash to pay off my student debt is a pretty sweet bonus.
But, this got me thinking — do I have the integrity?
If you’ve never watched the show, the contestants are literally broadcast 24/7. If it isn’t during the three times a week airing of the show, it’s during the constant online live feeds (which I watch constantly, by the way). That’s roughly 100 days (if the season runs long), or 2,400 hours of nonstop surveillance. They say integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Well, what about when everyone is watching? Isn’t Someone always watching?
When a Christ follower is on Big Brother he/she must watch every word, every action, every glance, every decision. They must play the game without lying (nearly impossible on BB). They must seem unselfish even though the whole point is to put yourself before the other houseguests in order to win half a million bucks. They must be honorable and above reproach! Is the show antithetical to the entire Christian faith as so much of television is these days?
We all know that even the “best” Christian out there isn’t perfect and still has sin in their life; however, when you’re on full display, claiming to be a representative of the Most High, then the pressure is on — people are looking to see if you’ll walk the walk since you’ve talked the talk.
Hmm . . . maybe we just need to live every day like we’re on Big Brother . . .
The bottom line: I believe it is possible to play the game, and win the game, without losing integrity. I’d like to take a shot at it because it hasn’t seemed like the other believers on there have really lived up to the calling.
Who knows — maybe we just need to bring Zingbot into our churches and let him roast his way through the chaff.
